Senior 2 CPLM Fénix C - CPLM Fé: sports photography

On October 7, 2018, I was invited to an inline hockey game at the Carabanchel sports complex in Madrid. CPLM Fénix C was facing off against CPLM Fé (CPLM stands for Club de Patinaje Línea de Madrid, founded in 2009). It was my first direct encounter with this sport, so in addition to enjoying and learning about inline hockey, it was also an opportunity to take on a photographic challenge. The constant movement and speed with which the players move on skates, along with their immediate reaction to the object they are constantly chasing—the puck—force you to stay alert so that your decisions regarding framing, focus, and the moment you press the shutter button capture a great shot.

But what is inline hockey?

Inline hockey is a sport in which players skate on skates with wheels arranged in a line (hence the name). Each team consists of five players (including the goalie). The objective of the game is to hit and shoot a plastic puck into the opposing team’s goal using hockey sticks. But achieving this goal is no easy task. The fast-paced nature of the game forces players to make very quick decisions and react immediately to every situation. While the team in possession of the puck tries to approach the opposing goal by passing it strategically, the players on the other team try to steal it. When a clear opportunity to shoot on goal arises, the puck is struck hard with the stick, and it is then up to the goalie to react correctly to stop it and prevent it from entering the net. A plastic puck traveling at high speed can be very dangerous, which is why players wear appropriate protective gear—especially goalies, as they are the ones who typically face the fastest shots.

Photos from this competition

Equipment:
Camera: Canon EOS 70D. Telephoto lens: Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II