How to Create a Roller Hockey League

Roller hockey can be a great way to enjoy the game of hockey without the ice. Creating a roller hockey league is a relatively simple task. All you need is a group of people who enjoy the game and a place to play. Here is how to create a roller hockey league.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Begin by finding a place to play roller hockey games. Many towns and cities have both indoor and outdoor roller hockey rinks. If your town does not, simply find a parking lot that will be empty. Chances are that you'll find these empty parking lots on weekends.
2. Find people to take part in your roller hockey league. Begin by asking your friends, family members and co-workers to join your new roller hockey league. Chances are you'll probably already have a good idea on who will join and who won't. If you're having trouble finding people to join, place bulletins at roller hockey rinks and recreational centers in your area. You may want to create a new email address for the league, such as “[e-mail]” so that you're not giving out your personal contact information to strangers.
3. Determine how many people you're going to have on a team in your roller hockey league. Many leagues play with traditional hockey rules, meaning five skaters and a goalie. Some leagues don't have a goalie and have 6 (or more) skaters on the rink at one time. Get input from others in the league regarding team structure and choose the option that is agreed upon by most.
4. Create rules for your roller hockey league. You'll need to determine how many periods to have per game and how long each period should last. It's also important to come up with a way to deal with penalties that occur during a game. Will you have a penalty box? How long will players be forced to sit in the sin bin? Will you have overtime in your roller hockey league? These are all things you must consider before beginning the league. It's also a good idea to come up with some referees. Even in a “just for fun” league, competition can get intense. Having impartial referees to keep order at the games is wise.
5. Determine the overall structure of your league. Let's say that you have 6 teams overall in your league. You'll need to decide how many times teams will play against one another. It's also important to come up with a way to determine the winner of the league. If you have playoffs, make it clear from the beginning how many teams will make the playoffs and how a champion will be decided. Let it be known whether there will be a series or just a single game to determine a winner.
6. Choose between roller hockey balls or pucks and then purchase them. The fact is that these two items are not the same. They react differently when they are struck or even handled by a stick. Make it known which you want used during games in your roller hockey league and then buy them so that there is no confusion. You shouldn't, however, have to buy sticks, pads or skates for players in your roller hockey league.