WCRHL Goalie Regulations

[HBPuckstopper3]

Does anybody know what the rules are for goalie gear in the WCRHL?

Do they go by the NHL standards (11" pads, etc), or does it go by other regulations?

[WCRHL]

Per the NCRHA Rulebook (http://www.ncrha.org/pps-medias/10006.pdf)

Rule 304e (page 16)

"The leg guards worn by goalkeepers shall not exceed 12 inches in extreme width when on the leg of the player."

[whalercane]

Shooters have too many advantages over goalies in roller hockey as it is (no-offside/no icing/4-on-4, decreased lateral mobility for the goalie due to friction, and the list goes on), so it's good to know that at least on the college circuit, they're sticking with the old NHL rules for leg pad width. If the 11" rule is ever imposed for any level of roller hockey, you might as well just start playing with 5 attackers.

And fellow goalies who feel that "the 11" pad width makes you quicker...", save that argument for when you're referring to playing ice, because in that context, I totally agree. However, all bets are off when you're talking about roller because goaltending off the ice is all about positioning, technique and reaction and has little to do with lateral speed; you lose most of the lateral speed aspect which 95% nullifies the advantage of wearing slimmer leg pads.

[chickentender65]

moving side to side is extremely important in roller... with the amount of 2 on 1s that occur in a roller hockey game compared to an ice game, u gotta know how to get from one post to another. i think its more important to be faster in roller than ice. positioning and knowing the angles is about the same. but with pad sizes, with smaller pads (11') rather than old school's 12 inchers, it would be so much harder in roller. roller = much more open shooting opportunities, smaller pads = more room for shooters to shoot at, more goals would be let up... so i think its important to keep the 12' pads allowed in roller since its a different game than ice

[treytai]

I use 11" pads for roller playing in PIHA and do not think there is that much of a difference between 11" or 12" pads. I have used both sizes for roller and for me personally I feel more mobile with narrower pads. But I think that everyone has there own comfort level with pads. I do not understand how guys can use these monster thigh rises that some use. Me personally I tried it but could not get used to it. If you are positioned correctly that 1/2" off each side should not make a difference. But like I said this is my personal opinion and everybody has their own.

[whalercane]

Personal preferences are a given; I'm not disputing that.

However, taking away the ability of the goalie to choose between which pad width suits his/her playing style best would be a death sentence to some roller hockey goalies, not so on ice.

-Ryan