Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ

Here you’ll find answers to the most common questions about FreeSlide, our Slide Plates, and 3D printing.

What are FreeSlide Plates?

FreeSlide Plates are 3D-printable sliding plates designed for inline hockey goalies. They attach to the bottom of your goalie pads and reduce friction against the playing surface, making lateral movement — especially from the butterfly position — much easier.

Are the 3D printing files really free?

Yes. The FreeSlide STL files are available to download free of charge so you can print your own set.

Our goal is to make functional Slide Plates accessible to as many goalies as possible without requiring them to spend several hundred euros on equipment.

What do I need for a complete FreeSlide set?

For a complete set, you will need:

  • the FreeSlide STL files

  • a 3D printer

  • suitable filament

  • approximately 350 plastic balls with an 8 mm diameter

  • self-adhesive hook-and-loop tape

For the balls, we recommend POM or PP.

Which filament should I use?

We recommend PETG because of its durability and good abrasion resistance.

PLA can also be used and is a good option for an easy first print.

Actual durability will depend heavily on the filament, printer, and print settings you use.

What print settings do you recommend?

Detailed settings can be found alongside the individual print files.

As a general guideline, we recommend:

  • a maximum layer height of 0.2 mm

  • 100% infill

  • no supports

Important: Do not change the dimensions of the STL files. Even small changes in scale can prevent the 8 mm balls from fitting correctly into their sockets.

Do I need supports?

No. The FreeSlide Plates are designed to be printed without supports.

Can I simply scale the files up or down?

No.

Always print the files at their original size. The sockets are designed specifically for 8 mm balls. Scaling the model also changes the diameter of the sockets.

Which balls do I need?

You need plastic balls with a diameter of 8 mm.

We recommend POM (polyoxymethylene) or PP (polypropylene) because both materials offer good abrasion resistance.

The balls won't fit into the Plates. What should I do?

First check that:

  • the STL file was printed at 100% scale

  • the balls are actually 8 mm in diameter

  • there is no significant over-extrusion or other print defect

  • you used the recommended layer height

The fit is intentionally fairly precise so that the balls remain securely seated inside the Plates.

The balls are stuck and don't rotate. What should I do?

Each ball should sit securely inside its socket while still being able to rotate freely.

If the balls are stuck, check your print quality and printer calibration. Over-extrusion or inaccurate printer calibration can make the sockets too small.

How do I attach the FreeSlide Plates to my goalie pads?

The Plates are attached using self-adhesive hook-and-loop tape.

Attach the rough hook side to the back of the Slide Plates and the soft loop side to the bottom of your goalie pads.

This allows you to position, move, and replace individual Plates whenever necessary.

Will the hook-and-loop tape damage my goalie pads?

Hook-and-loop attachment was deliberately chosen so that you do not need to drill holes or make other permanent modifications to your pads.

However, as with any adhesive product, adhesion and removal can vary depending on the material and condition of your pads and the tape you use.

Where exactly should I position the Plates?

There is no single perfect setup. The ideal position varies between goalies and between different pad models.

Start with the areas that make the most contact with the floor while you are in the butterfly position and test your setup during practice.

Ideally, there should still be a small gap underneath your goalie pads while in the butterfly, so that primarily the Slide Plates — rather than the pads themselves — are contacting the floor.

Also make sure that none of the Plates extend beyond the outer edge of your pads.

Why are there large and small Plates?

The two sizes allow you to customise the setup to your individual goalie pads.

The larger Plates cover bigger contact areas, while the small round Plates can be positioned precisely around smaller pressure and contact points.

You do not need to use the exact same layout on every pad.

Do FreeSlide Plates work with every goalie pad?

The Plates have been designed to allow flexible positioning on a wide range of goalie pads.

However, pad shapes, dimensions, and floor-contact areas vary between models, so we cannot guarantee that the exact same setup will work identically on every pad.

This flexibility is one of the reasons the Plates use hook-and-loop attachment rather than a fixed mounting system.

Do I have to use the same layout shown in your pictures?

No.

The layouts shown on our website are examples only. Your ideal setup will depend on your pads, butterfly position, and personal pressure points.

Experimenting with the position of the Plates is encouraged.

Should I use a new setup in a game straight away?

We recommend testing every new setup during several practice sessions first.

Regularly check that all Plates remain securely attached and that their position works well with your individual movement.

What happens if one of my Plates breaks?

One advantage of the modular design is that individual Plates can easily be replaced.

You do not need to replace the entire set — simply print the damaged Plate again.

I don't own a 3D printer. Can I still use FreeSlide?

Yes.

You can ask friends, your hockey club, schools, libraries, workshops, or makerspaces whether they have a 3D printer available.

Alternatively, you can use a local or online 3D printing service. You can also check the Find a 3D Printer Near You section on our website.

Does FreeSlide sell finished Slide Plates?

FreeSlide currently focuses on providing the 3D printing files and instructions free of charge, allowing you to print the Plates yourself or have them produced by a 3D printing service.

Are FreeSlide Plates approved by the IISHF?

IISHF approval has currently been applied for.

Until official approval has been granted, please check the equipment regulations of your league or tournament before using FreeSlide Plates in official competition.

Can I use FreeSlide Plates for ice hockey?

FreeSlide Plates were developed specifically for inline or roller hockey and for movement on indoor playing surfaces.

They are not designed for use on ice.

Are the Plates safe?

The Plates have been designed with rounded, edge-free shapes to reduce the risk of catching on the playing surface or other objects.

However, with any self-printed component, quality, strength, and safety depend heavily on the material, printer, and print settings used.

Always inspect your Plates for cracks, damage, or other defects before use and replace any damaged components.

Still have a question?

You can find detailed step-by-step instructions in our Guides & Tutorials section.

If you still can’t find the answer you’re looking for, feel free to contact us using the contact form on our website.

Free the Slide!