New to hockey? Perfect.
Everyone starts
somewhere.
Maybe you heard about the sport from a friend or a neighbor. Maybe you've watched the games at Volunteer Park at Arrowhead. Here's everything a new family needs to go from curious to game-day ready.
Why inline hockey
A real sport with a
real ceiling.
Inline hockey exploded out of Southern California in the early '90s, and thirty years later it's a global sport with elite travel teams and major national tournaments behind it.
It's everything kids love about hockey (speed, skill, strategy, teammates) without the ice time, and it teaches the stuff that outlasts any season: teamwork, sportsmanship, and perseverance.
And the ceiling is real: a long list of NHL players credit inline hockey with getting them to the next level.
Wheels first, NHL later
- Connor McDavid
- Mitch Marner
- Pat Maroon
- Bobby Ryan
- Jason Zucker · Joel Ward · Rocco Grimaldi · Alex DeBrincat
The playbook
Your first season
in five shifts
Register
Sign-ups open right here on the HIHA website, with current fees shown before checkout. Fall 2026 is already underway; Spring 2027 registration will be announced on the league's Facebook and Instagram.
Find your division
Divisions are set by your player's age on December 31. Fall seasons use the upcoming December 31, spring seasons use the previous one. Youth runs 8U through 18U, and adults get league play plus Wednesday pick-up.
Gear up
Work through the required-equipment checklist below. Buy gear that fits now, not gear to grow into, and lean on the local shops if you want sizing help. HIHA provides jerseys for youth players.
Save the schedule
Schedules and rink updates live on the HIHA website. Subscribe to the league calendar for automatic changes, and watch for team-specific email or text updates from your coach.
Show up and shoot
Practices first, then game days at Volunteer Park at Arrowhead. Coaches build the season around new players. Many kids on the rink picked up a stick for the first time this year. Give it a shot.
Age groupings
The division ladder
Age is determined as of December 31: the upcoming one for fall seasons, the previous one for spring.
Example: for a Fall 2026 season, a player's division is based on how old they'll be on December 31, 2026. Boys and girls play together at the youth level, through high-school age.
Required equipment
The gear checklist
Everything on the required list, every time your player rolls out.
Required · every player
- Helmet with full face guard HECC registered, proper size, all straps & buckles
- Hockey skates recommended all braking devices removed
- Stick blade wider than 2″ at its narrowest point
- Elbow pads
- Shin guards covered by pants or sweats
- Hockey gloves
- Crotch protector required for girls as well as boys
- Mouth guard must not be clear
- Jersey long enough to cover elbow pads HIHA provides youth jerseys
Recommended · smart extras
- Shoulder pads or padded shirt
- Neck guard
- Padded inline hockey girdle
“Proper fit is very important, so please resist the urge to let your player grow into his or her gear.”
HIHA equipment guide
For parents
Asked & answered
You matter more than you think. Family members shape a young athlete's experience more than anyone, often more than the coaches. You're the first introduction to sports your player gets, and the sideline sets the tone.
That's why the league keeps a simple code posted for every game.
The sideline code
- These are children.
- This is just a game.
- The referees are human.
- Coaches are volunteers.
- If you say anything negative, everyone can hear you.
My kid has never skated. Is that OK?
Absolutely. It's the norm, not the exception. Many players had never picked up a stick before joining, and coaches build practices around getting new players skating and stick-handling quickly.
What does a season cost?
Fees vary by season and program. Current pricing is shown on the HIHA registration form before you pay. Inline is one of the most affordable ways to play organized hockey, and HIHA provides youth jerseys.
Is it just for boys?
No. HIHA offers programs for boys and girls at the youth level through high-school age. Everyone plays.
How do schedules and team messages work?
Schedules and rink updates are posted on this site, and the league calendar can sync to your phone automatically. Coaches send team-specific email or text updates. See the league calendar.
Where do games happen?
At Volunteer Park at Arrowhead in Hendersonville, TN, serving families across greater Nashville.
How can I help the league?
Coaches are volunteers, refs get trained at preseason seminars, and the score booth runs on parent power. League HQ lists every way to pitch in.
Give it a shot.
Fall 2026 is underway. Spring 2027 registration will be announced on the league's socials.