Mat Set up for Practice

2020 2021 Ridge Meadows Racers Safety Mat Information

by Julian Green

Introduction

The following is a guide for new and existing club members to help them understand how to:

Place the mats in certain locations around the arena based on where most falls occur
Which colour coded mats go where
Double mat layering
The correct way for a mat to sit on the ice
Blue and red cart priority for set-up, tear-down and cart storage.

Mat Placement

The illustration below identifies the most common fall zones in red, where the “back layer” or “double layer” of mats should be placed.

The Red zone is considered the high crash zone.
The Red zone extends from behind the blue hockey goal crease to the last set of speed skating safety track marks exiting the turn. This is the case on both sides of the arena – the changing room end and the Zamboni end.
Mats with red tape on them are placed at the end of the arena nearest to the changing rooms.
Mats with blue tape on them are placed at the end of the arena closest to the Zamboni garage.
The mats marked with red or blue tape should be put in place first against the boards in order to expedite set-up.
Mats with yellow tape on them are placed at the end of the arena nearest to the changing rooms.
The yellow marked mats extend from the red icing line, in front of the red taped mats, all the way to the half way line by the Away/Visitors benches.
Mats with green tape are placed at the end of the arena nearest to the Zamboni garage.
The green marked mats extend from the red icing line, in front of the blue taped mats, all the way to the half way line by the public benches.

When returning mats onto the carts be sure to place the mats by their corresponding colors. See picture below: