Revolutionizing Roller Hockey: The Evolution of Goalie Pads in Roller Hockey

Roller hockey is a fast-paced, thrilling sport that combines the intensity of ice hockey with the unique challenge of playing on inline skates across plastic tiles or sport court surfaces. For goalies, however, one of the biggest hurdles has always been the inability to slide laterally with the same ease as their ice hockey counterparts. On ice, goalies glide effortlessly from post to post, using the slick surface to their advantage. But in roller hockey, the plastic tiles create friction that can leave goalies stuck in place, unable to cover the net as effectively. Traditional ice hockey goalie pads, while excellent for their intended purpose, simply don’t provide the same mobility on these surfaces. That said, roller hockey goalies have adapted, and thanks to innovative solutions, the position is undergoing a transformation.

The Challenge of Traditional Ice Hockey Pads in Roller Hockey

Ice hockey goalie pads are designed with a smooth, flat surface on the inside of the leg to maximize sliding on ice. The low-friction environment allows goalies to drop into the butterfly position and glide laterally to stop shots or recover quickly. In roller hockey, however, the plastic tiles or sport court surfaces grip the pads, making lateral movement difficult. This lack of slide can leave goalies vulnerable to quick passes or dekes, forcing them to rely heavily on positioning and reflexes rather than the dynamic movement seen in ice hockey.

Despite this, many roller hockey goalies still opt for regular ice hockey pads. They’re durable, widely available, and perfectly functional for blocking shots. For some, the familiarity of ice pads outweighs the sliding limitation, and they adapt their game accordingly—staying upright longer or using their skates to shuffle across the crease. But for those looking to elevate their performance, the good news is that sliding solutions exist, and they’ve made the position more dynamic than ever.

Sliding Solutions: From Tape to Tech

The roller hockey community has long experimented with ways to reduce friction and mimic the sliding ability of ice hockey. Most goalies now have access to some form of sliding aid, ranging from simple DIY fixes to cutting-edge inventions. Here’s a look at the options that have reshaped the game:

• Low-Friction Poly Tape: One of the simplest and most affordable solutions, low-friction poly tape (sometimes called slippery tape) can be applied to the inside of the pads—typically along the knee block, leg channel, and boot. This reduces the grip of the plastic tiles, allowing for smoother shuffles and short slides. It’s not a perfect substitute for ice, but it’s a budget-friendly way to improve mobility.
• Plastic Sliding Kits: For a more robust solution, some goalies turn to plastic sliding kits. These are custom-cut sheets of durable plastic (often UHMW polyethylene) attached to the inside knee block, leg channel board, and boot. The slick surface mimics ice to a degree, letting goalies push off and slide a few inches. These kits are a step up from tape, offering durability and a more consistent slide, though they still don’t match the full range of motion seen on ice.
• RollerFly: The Game-Changer: Enter RollerFly, a ball-bearing-based system that has redefined roller hockey goaltending. Invented in Hawaii and brought to the mainland U.S. in 2011 at Lindenwood University, RollerFly caught on quickly and has since revolutionized the position. This system consists of four hard plastic plates—two per leg—embedded with ball bearings, strapped onto the inside of the pads. The bearings allow goalies to roll laterally while in the butterfly, offering a level of mobility previously unimaginable in roller hockey.

The RollerFly Revolution

RollerFly isn’t just a sliding aid—it’s a paradigm shift. While it doesn’t replicate the full glide of ice hockey (the bearings provide a controlled roll rather than a frictionless slide), it gives goalies enough lateral movement to cover the net more effectively. A goalie can drop into the butterfly, push off, and roll a short distance to stop a shot, then recover or adjust their position. This added mobility has made cross-crease passes and one-timers less daunting, allowing goalies to play a more aggressive, ice-inspired style.

But RollerFly’s benefits go beyond sliding. The system also enhances flexibility in the butterfly position. Goalies can flare out their legs with greater ease, using the reduced friction to kick pucks away from danger areas like the slot or the back door. This combination of lateral roll and leg extension has turned RollerFly into a must-have for serious roller hockey goalies, bridging the gap between roller and ice techniques.

Since its debut at Lindenwood University, RollerFly has spread across the roller hockey world, earning praise for its ingenuity and effectiveness. It’s not without drawbacks—some goalies note the added weight or the need to replace worn bearings—but the consensus is clear: RollerFly has reinvented the position, giving goalies a decisive edge.

The Bottom Line

Ice hockey goalie pads are still a viable choice for roller hockey, especially for casual players or those who prioritize familiarity over mobility. But for goalies looking to dominate the crease, sliding solutions are the key to unlocking their full potential. Whether it’s the simplicity of low-friction tape, the reliability of plastic sliding kits, or the revolutionary RollerFly system, these innovations prove that roller hockey goaltending doesn’t have to be static. The position is evolving, and with tools like RollerFly leading the charge, goalies are sliding into a new era of performance—one save at a time.