Inside the Volt Hockey Chair: Power, Precision, and Pure Adrenaline

About the Author: Maya Berndt is a third year at Northeastern University, studying Political Science and Religious Studies, who volunteered for the USVHA during the fall 2025 semester through Northeastern's service learning program. She is also a cadet in the Army ROTC program. Some of her favorite hobbies are running, hiking, and baking. She loves learning about new sports and writing about the positive impact they can have.

The volt hockey chair is the most essential piece of equipment for the sport, as it allows anybody to participate and enjoy the game. This chair is manufactured exclusively by IMMO and shipped to the US from Denmark.

I had the privilege of talking to Mark Parisi, one of the parents and the president of the Eastern Massachusetts Volt Hockey Club. He walked us through how the chairs function and the important pieces that make up the chair.

The chair is made of formed wood, attached to a metal base. It is driven by two side wheels and one rear wheel for balance. A joystick, which can be placed on either armrest, or in the middle, controls all movements of the chair. Under the seat sits a compartment for two large batteries that power the chair through an entire game.

Safety is built into every aspect of the chair. Each chair includes arm and foot guards, a four-point harness, and a lap belt to keep players secure. The chair is also customizable to include extra cushions, support, and adaptations catered to each player and their unique needs. The front blade, used to control and hit the ball, must be made of breakable material. When you realize these chairs go up to about ten miles per hour, the level of protection makes perfect sense. This game feels quick and intense with six powerful machines battling for the ball.

Beyond the engineering lies the importance of experience. Driving a volt hockey chair requires an immense amount of precision and skill. Every slight movement of the joystick translates intensely into turning, accelerating, or breaking. Adding a ball and two goals into the mix makes this even more challenging. Sharp reflexes, spatial awareness, and strategy must work together in perfect harmony for a team to be successful in this sport. Players must learn to anticipate their teammates and competitors, aiming to find the right angle for a pass or shot on goal.

When everything operates in flawless unison, it is pure adrenaline. The rush is shared amongst the competitors and spectators. What’s special about volt hockey is not just the strategically crafted chairs, or the adaptive technology; it is the freedom and thrill of control the game gives to those who may have never experienced a fast-paced, competitive sport before. This sport proves that with the right innovations, competition truly has no limits.