Whats the ruling on playing with 4 wheels or 5?

**Phantom305** · 02-14-2008, 03:22 PM

Hey

I was wondering what the ruling was on whether or not we could play with 4 wheels or 5 in PIHA?

I have heard that you can use 4, and then on other occasions i have heard that you have to use 5.

Personally for me i use 4 only because my leg strap gets caught on one of my wheels.

Which bring me to my next question; I don't use toe ties, and have RBK Pads and Bauer X-Lite skates, so what would work if i did have to use 5 wheels?

Thanks in advance
Joseph

**William Bourque** · 02-14-2008, 03:49 PM

I would think you would have to have a wheel for every axle on your skate, be it four or five. I know it's illegal for any player, skater or goalie to play in the NCRHA without having a wheel in each axle and have heard of cases where teams were forced to start games without goalies in net because of this rule while the goalie went and got another wheel put on. I would imagine that it's the same in PIHA, but then again you might want to listen to those who are in charge or read the rule book.

**Wingman** · 02-14-2008, 04:03 PM

The 2007 PIHA rulebook says:

Rule 13 --- Skates

(a) Players shall play on inline skates, designed for inline hockey only. Four and five wheels skates shall be permitted. Skate brakes shall be prohibited. Players with illegal skates shall be ruled off the surface.
(b) All axle openings must contain an axle and a wheel. If a player losses a wheels during play, he must proceed directly to the players' bench or play shall be stopped when his team gains possession. The ensuing face-off shall be at the last place the puck was played, unless it is in the offensive zone, whereby the face-off will be on the center red line.

**MBurke** · 02-14-2008, 08:56 PM

Originally Posted by Wingman

The 2007 PIHA rulebook says:

Notice the rule says nowhere that the wheel needs to be round or contact the surface. If you need to put a buckle or lace through the bottom of your skate to keep your pad attached, saw off most of an old wheel so that it's near the core and attach it as normal. It should leave you plenty of room through which to attach the pad, while not affecting your wheels.