ice contrast to inline...

[DannyG]

thought I've seen some variations on this theme before, but "ice vs inline" and "ice/inline contrasts" found no search mode matches...

I just finished re-reading the Jim Jensen article in the Between the Pipes column (yeah, I actually read the columns, once in a while).

The article was written about two and one half years ago. I probably wouldn't have thought so myself at the time, but as I read this thing now, I am amazed at what I perceive is a real level of "ice snobbery" here.

I do not know Jim Jensen personally. I confess I don't know his resume, either. For all I know, the guy's played with the US or Canada national team for ten years,

-but-

I am appalled by what I read in this article. Especially when he tries to compliment roller hockey toward the end. While I do not believe that, currently, any non-nhl players can compare to nhl'rs for pure hockey skill, I am not buying the generalizations Jensen makes regarding a comparison between elements -both technical and tactical- of the two versions of our sport.

Before I decide to write my own column and submit it to Richard, does anybody else get the same reaction? or am I ignorant and being silly in this one?

<font color=purple>DannyG</font color=purple>

[RichardGraham]

Hi Danny,

Not sure what got your goat in that article, but just so you know, James Jensen is one helluva great inline hockey goaltender and a super human being. I'll have to read the article again to see if I can figure out where you're coming from. [img]/wtimages/icons/shocked.gif[/img]

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[sactosaxons]

Hey Danny-

After reading your post I went and read the article. I get the impression that Jensen's slant towards ice hockey is due to the fact that he's writing about his time with the Ducks, an ice hockey team! He takes the time to explain the differences he's found between the two and then goes on to tell ice coaches to wake up and take notice of the value roller is to ice. The "snobbery" exists with those ice coaches, not with Jensen, as I read it. Just my opinion...

-Joy

Hey! I think I've figured it out! It's the Ducks that's the problem, right? Just kidding....

[MDE3]

I read the article and was not left with the same impression as you. I really think his analyses was honest and maybe even accurate. But I think that wheel technology has developed so much in the last two and a half years that the gap is closer now than it ever was.

One of the biggest differences between ice and inline has always been this ability to &quot;stop on a dime&quot; from a full speed sprint and reverse direction immediately, and variations on this same theme in the ice game. Making extremely sharp cuts at full speed falls into the same category hence his remarks about lateral movement.

There is no doubt that this gap has closed recently as I watch the better skaters perform on the grippiest of wheels in inline hockey, but is the coefficient of friction now equal to ice? I dont know - maybe close. Think about the kids you watch play and do their practice sprints, and starts and stops, then spend sometime watching the same drills on ice. Look at the difference in slide distance and the time it takes to reverse direction - then decide if his comments were really snobbish or just accurate observations. And the gap we are talking about between coefficients of friction is for the latest and greatest surfaces, not for kids learning on outdoor asphalt courts, epoxy painted conrete, or a host of other surfaces that can never approach the coeeficient of friction between ice and a well sharpened skate blade - no matter which wheels are used (sorry RR Mike).

I have taught jump stops(on inline skates) to kids for years, and it takes practice, but eventually these kids got to where they could &quot;stop on a dime&quot; up to about 75% of full speed. With the new grip available that may be up closer to 90% now. But as a percentage of players who can perform this - I think inline still lags well behind ice - but it's coming.

The full speed cuts fall into the same category where the ability to perform them is dependant on a lot of practice , and the limits of friction. I think as a sport if we work at these techniques we can really close the percieved &quot;speed&quot; gap with ice. Most of what I have observed over the years relating to the difference between the two sports involves the time lost in changing direction in inline hockey versus ice hockey.

On the other hand I think if you timed players from ice and inline(with the latest and greatest wheels) in full rink sprint laps, you would be surprised at how close the times are (assuming equal size rinks)

[DannyG]

yeah, I think you're all probably right...

a) the technology has improved to narrow the speed & stopping, and agility gaps between the present and the date of the article...

b) The state-of-the-art inline skater has improved to the point where a gap in displayed ability two and a half years ago is not the much tinier (if any at all) gap of the present...

c) the article wasn't really about inline...which might simply be a manifestation of Rich Graham trying to find an article, any article, to fill the column space???

Must have been on a grumpy bent when I read it...

<font color=purple>DannyG</font color=purple>

[DannyG]

I have to agree with the ESPN announcer who opined that if nothing else, the hockey gods are rewarding Paul Kariya for playing his heart out for years with crummy Ducks teams...

<font color=purple>DannyG</font color=purple>

[RichardGraham]

Hi Danny,

&gt;&gt;c) the article wasn't really about inline...which might simply be a manifestation of Rich Graham trying to find an article, any article, to fill the column space???

Must have been on a grumpy bent when I read it...&lt;&lt;

Man, Dan, I think you're STILL grumpy! What's wrong with an article on a top inline hockey goalie getting a chance to play with an NHL team, and then writing about his experiences? Maybe you need to buy some RR wheels and get that free valium offer. Just kidding. [img]/wtimages/icons/wink.gif[/img]

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[lguardbl]

Dan,
i just reread the article and cant relate it as dismissive of inline hockey... Thanks for pointing it out though, it was a good read!!!
A goalie...

[DannyG]

touche...

<font color=purple>DannyG</font color=purple>

[-venom-]

meow

[missionhockey21]

"ice snobbery," I know what your talking about, and I hate it. I used to play both games, but when my ice teammates and coach started going whenever there was a schedule conflict, its just roller hockey its not that important. That really irritated me, just because they play ice does not make them more "elite." To tell you the truth I am glad about 95% of my focus is on roller than ice now.

[missionhockey21]

I would like to see the article too. I dont doubt its true, I just wanted to see how he is dgging on roller hockey.

[missionhockey21]

I think we all get defensive Danny when any thing negative gets said about inline hockey, well because so much negative is usually said. I am going to go read the article and see the points that Jensen makes.

[missionhockey21]

Paul Kariya has been one of my favorite players. Like I said before a nicer guy couldnt win the cup. And he defiently deserves it.

[Rebecca]

in re-reading the article, I did perhaps pick up on one thing though which is not uncommon, that being that roller hockey is looked upon as a form of off ice training, I wouldn't consider that negative or positive or anything that helps or hurts our sport, just a fact. Anyone else?

Rebecca