Rink Hockey
Hockey Director - Brent
Benson (extension 13)
bbenson@usarollersports.org
Rink
hockey, a sold out spectator sport in the 1992 Olympics, is
internationally played in over 50 countries. World Championships are
held annually for School Boys, Junior, Ladies and Senior Divisions
along with intercontinental cup tournaments. The United States is
divided into six Rink Hockey
regions, North West , South West, North Central, South Central, North
East and South East. Tournaments are frequently held across the United
States and each year there is a "open" National Championship where the
only requirement is proper equipment, an USA Roller Sports Hockey Card
and the team entry. National Championship Divisions include, Pee Wee,
Midget, Freshman, Junior, Ladies and Senior Bronze-Silver-Gold. Each
Rink Hockey Region has a Regional Representative who can be contacted
for information including seminars, tournaments, equipment etc.
- The first recorded Rink Hockey game was played in 1878 at
the Denmark Rink in London, England*
- It was first known as "Roller Polo" because the skaters
copied polo.*
- Hardball Roller Hockey was introduced into the U.S. in
1882 with the formation of the National Roller Polo League in Dayton,
Ohio, with teams in seven cities.*
- Rink Hockey is a non-contact skill sport
- Tight turns, quick starts and stops
- Ten players per team, goalie and four on the floor
- Two periods, 15 to 25 minutes each, depending on division
of play
- Advantage Rule: play should continue if transgressor's
team would benefit from stoppage
- No kicking the ball, only using the stick is allowed
*James Turner and Michael Zaidman, "The History of Roller Skating" at
73.