How to roller dance
SKATE DANCE DIAGRAMS AND TOOLS
Easily accessible tools, diagrams and the choreographic heritage and history of the twin sports of roller and ice skating.
The goal of this site is to preserve documents, and offer tools to instructors and students in the skating community.
Attention MOBILE USERS: These buttons are for your convenience, but switching to 'web' view will make navigation easier
| header image: Carroll Swing, step 6
Author's note: When I began this site in 2013, I agonized over which version of a dance was the 'right' one to include. http://skateguard1.blogspot.com Figure skating on ice history For those with off-skate dance interests: Been looking for ROLLER skate stickers? This image is displayed on FB when pasting a live link there | Ice Skating - official sites Roller Skating - official sites May 12, 2022 Dec 8 |
This site is for posting "lost" dances.
com
They have a testing program as well as competitions.
Added content to history page. Minor clarifications, grammar/spelling changes.
The covers and test schedule is now up under 'listed by associations', 'pre 1971-72'.
And thank you Audra Fortune for letting me use her copies of Bill's diagrams to make them available here. See them under their respective dance headings.
This and many others will be added thanks to the diagrams contributed by Richard Hand.
Cha Cha Chiquita still missing.
Thank you for understanding.
I renamed it in hopes of better search engine hits, but apparently that was not working as well as planned, so I returned to its original name.
Added Association Waltz.
Added more explanation to 'Other Stuff' 'Diagrams and Terms', including an original illustration.
e. music, added skate equipment. Various housekeeping such as establishing links on the page you get when clicking on main and some sub headings. 'Links to Diagrams' improved.
Added "Dance Positions" to "Other Stuff"How to roller skate
Hearst Newspapers participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.I've been using these Moxi Beach Bunny Skates for a year.
Bimini Wright for HearstIf you’re wondering how to roller skate, there’s never been a better time to learn. During the pandemic, roller skating has become a fun and nostalgic way to get exercise, work off some quarantine-weight gain, and be social while still respecting social distancing rules.
You might be tempted to say that roller skating is “back,” but the truth is it never went away. Black skate culture has been around for decades — roller skating rinks even played a role in the Civil Rights movement, and one of the first sit-ins in the country was at a roller skating rink.
(This and more is explored in the documentary “United Skates,” which has a rating of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and is streaming on HBO.)
Still, a Google trend search for “roller skates” in May of 2020 shows a spike that stayed high, and by July of 2020 there was a worldwide shortage of the wheeled shoes. By the time I wanted to jump onto the trend in March of 2021, there was still a waitlist and 6-week back order for skates, so I really had my work cut out for me.
How to start roller skating
You need skates, obviously. But figuring out exactly which skates to buy begs some questions: What kind of skater do you want to be, and what kind of skating do you want to do? Oh brother, that just leads to more questions:
There are a ton of places you can skate
Bimini Wright for HearstWhere will you be primarily skating, indoors, or outdoors?Do you want to adventure skate? That is, travel long distances and explore neighborhoods? Or maybe jam skating appeals to you because you want to try the cool footwork you’ve seen on TikTok.
Or perhaps you’re a psychotic daredevil, keen to hit the skate parks and do insane tricks, or even let out your inner aggression by slamming into others at a roller derby?
When it came to buying my first set of roller skates, I just wanted a decent enough, reliable, no-fuss set of wheels that would work on most surfaces, wasn’t a total piece of crap, and would get me from point A to point B. And I hoped they’d be a cute color.
There are four main components that should be taken into consideration when buying a roller skate:
- Boot
- Plate
- Wheels
- Toe-Stops
Beach Bunny Roller Skates
Bimini Wright for HearstHow to choose a roller skate bootThe boot (the foot-shaped part you stick your foot into) of the skate and the material it is made from will affect how it fits you, its durability, and price.
A high-cut boot will offer more ankle support, whereas a low-cut boot allows for ankle flexibility. A boot made of synthetic materials like vinyl is more affordable and easy to clean, but will not last as long as the more expensive leather or suede.
The plate of your skate is like the chassis of a car: It’s the metal frame that the wheels are attached to. Generally speaking, plates come in two materials: metal or nylon. Nylon is lighter and more flexible, metal is heavier and more durable.
How to choose roller skate wheelsIt turns out there is a whole science to what kind of wheels you put on your skates. Wheels fall on a durometer rating from around 70A to 100A — the higher the number is, the harder the wheel. A “softer” wheel is better for the outdoors, as it is more likely to absorb shocks if you roll over cracks in the pavement, or debris like twigs and pebbles (random chips of mulch are my personal nemesis).
A harder wheel, on the other hand (foot?) is better for skating on a polished indoor rink.
Wheels also come in all shapes and sizes and they do make a difference: A smaller wheel will give you more agility (think dance-skating), but a larger wheel will travel better over distances.
How to choose toe-stops for your roller skatesToe stops are the chunky rubber blocks you see affixed to the front of quad skates, and are primarily used for braking. Toe stops may be “Fixed” or “Adjustable” — Fixed toe-stops stay at one permanent height, and Adjustable toe-stops can be, well adjusted, obviously — that is, set to different heights to match your level of experience. As a complete newbie I needed my toe-stops nice and low, close to the ground so that I could stop without needing to displace my weight very much. More experienced skaters may find that toe stops “get in the way” and will adjust them to be higher. Serious jam skaters tend to remove their toe-stops entirely so that they can execute their full range of motion without accidentally hitting the brakes while dancing.-Step-18.jpg/aid1640374-v4-728px-Shuffle-(Dance-Move)-Step-18.jpg)
How to pick a skate
I knew I wanted a pair of skates that were decent quality, but wouldn’t break the bank. I’m a restless millennial with commitment issues, so I wasn’t looking to invest a lot of money in anything that required much work — I didn’t want to have to switch out my wheels regularly based on the surface I was skating on.
Reading through reviews, I settled on a pair of the Blue Sky Moxi Beach Bunnies. I picked this skate not just because of how pretty they are (though they are remarkably pretty) but also because of their all around versatility.
Moxi Skates - Beach Bunny - Fashionable Womens Roller Skates
Moxi
amazon.com
$169.00
Shop Now
The Moxi Beach Bunny has a vinyl boot, which offers good ankle support — something I definitely personally need. The wheels they come with are a good level of hardness for beginners: 78A.
It also has an aluminum plate, making them a bit sturdier and less likely to break than a skate with a nylon plate.
But the Beach Bunny is just my personal preference: There are plenty of skates recommended for beginners on the market. For example, the Sure-Grip Boardwalk Skates are a little bit more expensive, but are made from a softer material. They still offer that nice, high-topped ankle support, but the suede is less likely to cut into your ankles. Suede also doesn’t show scuff marks as easily as vinyl — but then again vinyl is easier to clean, so potato, po-skate-oh.
Sure-Grip Purple Boardwalk Skates Outdoor
Sure-Grip
amazon.com
$199.00
Shop Now
If you want to save money until you’re certain that you’re ready to make a real investment in skates, then Impala skates may be the brand for you. You can find a cute pair for under $100, and they’re quality enough to make for a gateway skate.-Step-17.jpg/aid1640374-v4-728px-Shuffle-(Dance-Move)-Step-17.jpg)
Impala Quad Skate - Aqua
Impala Skates
amazon.com
$49.95
Shop Now
How to roller skate safely
You will fall down. You will absolutely eat it, over and over again. Get used to it now, accept it, YOU WILL FALL.
I watch children under the age of 12 at my local skating rink in absolute horror and envy, as they crash into each other with the violence of a bowling ball, seemingly impervious to pain, bouncing up again after a spill that would surely land me in the hospital. Children are magical and resilient. Odds are, you are not. Invest in safety gear. And then wear it.
I suggest a handy set like this one, which includes elbow pads, knee pads, and wrist guards. It also comes in black, if you want a more chic look to “go with everything”
Triple Eight Saver Series Pad Set with Kneesavers, Elbowsavers and Wristsavers, Junior, Tie Dye
Triple Eight
amazon.
com
$39.99
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- Horoscope for Saturday, 12/10/22 by Christopher Renstrom
- San Francisco tech unicorn Airtable lays off a fifth of staff as multiple execs exit
- ‘Disturbing’ intrusions rock Bay Area school
- Routes: Study reveals which airline was most (and least) reliable in 2022
- Bay Area storm expected to bring most rain 'so far this year'
- 'Delusional' Bay Area man reportedly traps, assaults two tourists
- California teen who went missing after visit to a rest stop found dead
I’ve been skating for over a year now, and I’ll be honest: Sometimes I ditch the knee pads.
Occasionally I’ll skip putting on the elbow pads. But I’ll tell you right now, the absolute non-negotiable for me is wrist guards. The number of times I’ve gotten my feet tangled and absolutely eaten it in a way that surely would have shattered my wrist, is, well, it’s a lot of times, okay? Buy wrist guards, and wear them.
It’s ok, falling down part of the process. It’s part of why I love roller skating: the cliche of falling and getting back up is very literal and real. It’s how we learn and improve. If you’re afraid of hurting yourself (and at my age falling down really does HURT), maybe get some protective padded shorts to mitigate the pain. You can even make it adorable fashion with a cute turtle hugging your butt.
Elegeet Protective Gear for Skiing Skating Snowboarding Cute Turtle Tortoise Cushion
Elegeet
amazon.com
$49.99
Shop Now
If you’re planning on eventually trying out park skating, then investing in a helmet is a very good idea too.
You only get one brain, protect it! Oh, and you’ll probably need a slide block, if you intend to grind on curbs or rails (but maybe practice going forwards and backwards before jumping on a rail).
So you have the skates, you have the safety gear, now what?
Practice practice practice.
Bimini Wright for HearstHow to get good at roller skating
Practice practice practice. There are thousands of YouTube and TikTok tutorials out there to inspire you, but you can watch a million hours worth of videos and it won’t do a damn thing to make you a better skater unless you are actually putting the skates on and trying it for yourself.
You don’t HAVE to go to a roller rink! An empty tennis or basketball court can be an excellent place to practice — but you might want to bring a broom and sweep it clear of debris, since the tiniest rock or most invisible crack can take down even the most experienced rollers. My advice though: If you do have access to a roller rink, use it.
An hour on a rink where I don’t have to worry about traffic or or incline/slope is where I’ve seen myself make the most improvement.
You don’t need a ton of space to practice footwork. In fact, I first learned to spin in my kitchen! A flat surface a couple feet in diameter is all you need. It also means that poor weather (or quarantine) is no excuse not to practice. As I said before: no amount of tutorial-watching will substitute actual time wearing your skates. Skate School Queen Dirty Deborah Harry says she’d prefer you skate for just 10 minutes every day than spending four hours in one session once a week.
Customize your skates: Roller skating accessories
Now that we’ve covered the important stuff like quality and safety and learning to actually skate… now we can finally talk about making them cute. Though it may sound silly, personalizing my skates actually helped motivate me to practice more — simply because I wanted to show them off.
For starters, you can switch out your laces for all different colors, but the number one skate-related accessory that literally turns heads and gets compliments from passers by are these luminous wheels. Through the power of magnets and magic, they light up when you roll on them. They say money can’t buy love, but that’s objectively not true: If you know a skater, get them a pair of these and they’ll love you forever.
Luminous Quad Wheels Black Pearl Glitter 62mm 85A 4pk
Luminous
amazon.com
$38.89
Shop Now
Toe caps or toe guards are little sleeves/hats that protect the front of your skate from scuffing (and lawd, they will get scuffed). They’re also a great opportunity to show off your personality! Whether you’re a horror fan, a Pokemon master, or love strawberries and icecream — there’s a toe guard out there for you!
Even your brakes can be customized: Make your toe stops into sweet flowers, or cat paws.
Graduated from needing toe stops, and want glow-in-the-dark jam plugs? Maybe you prefer a cow. There are a multitude of charms and wings that you can weave into your laces to add a bit of flair. And how will you carry your skates, on a roller leash? Cute, but it won’t hold your wrist guards, or your skate tool, so maybe it’s worth it to invest in a special bag.
Practice falling. Have fun. Let the good times roll (sorry).
- Horoscope for Saturday, 12/10/22 by Christopher Renstrom
- San Francisco tech unicorn Airtable lays off a fifth of staff as multiple execs exit
- ‘Disturbing’ intrusions rock Bay Area school
- Routes: Study reveals which airline was most (and least) reliable in 2022
- Bay Area storm expected to bring most rain 'so far this year'
- 'Delusional' Bay Area man reportedly traps, assaults two tourists
- California teen who went missing after visit to a rest stop found dead
Roller Skating - Types
Artistic roller skating is a sport of various activities.
This is usually done on quad skates, but inline skates are also used for some competitions. Many types of activities are organized according to age and experience. The United States hosts nine regional competitions that lead to national and world championships.
figures
There are prescribed movements composed symmetrically of a minimum of two circles and a maximum of three circles. It includes either primary or both primary and secondary movements with or without turns. They skated in circles, inscribed on the skating surface.
Types of Dance
Basically, there are two types of dance in skating -
-
Solo Dance - In the solo dance the competition starts with a tiny amount and progresses to gold, for the test round it starts with bronze and goes up to gold. You need to pass a couple of tests to get into a certain event. There are set samples in the competition and judges give marks for good edges, how it looks, etc.
-
Team dance.
During the team dance, two people skate together. A partner of similar age and ability is preferred by most dancers.
Solo Dance - In solo dance the competition starts with a tiny amount and progresses to gold, for the test round it starts with bronze and goes up to gold. You need to pass a couple of tests to get into a certain event. There are set samples in the competition and judges give marks for good edges, how it looks, etc.
Team dance. During the team dance, two people skate together. A partner of similar age and ability is preferred by most dancers.
Accuracy of steps is a major factor in judgment for skaters when performing a particular dance. They are mainly judged by their turns and edges, and in addition, they are required to portray themselves in elegance while dancing and must pay full attention to the timing and rhythm of the music.
Freestyle Roller Dancing
In freestyle roller dancing, the physical movements are based on the music.
This type of dance is neither choreographed nor pre-planned, so any level of athlete can come and dance.
Precision Teams
In this type of dance, team members must be either four or a multiple of four. The following elements are performed in this type of dance -
- Skate in line
- Skate in box
- Splice
- Skate in circles
Judgment is based on the team's ability to skate together and its choreography.
Acquaintances and couples
At the same time, either one or a couple of figure skaters perform at the concert. The factors that can be judged are their ability to skate as well as their creativity. Movements such as jumping, turning and spinning are expected in this type of performance. Sometimes two songs are played for a person or pair of skaters.
Speed skating
In roller skating, players perform on roller skates. Judgment is based on creativity and skating ability, as skaters must include jumps, spins, and turns in their performances.
Group Skating
In this type of skating, a large group of skaters skate on the streets. Previously, touring was limited to only the quad roller club, but later it also began to compete in speed skating.
Aggressive Inline
Aggressive inline skating is tricky skating. Here a person performs tricks using a slightly different skateboard than a normal one. This type of skating can be seen at the skate park outside, including tricks such as grinding, spinning, and somersaults.
Roller Hockey
Roller hockey is another name for a roller sport that has existed long before roller skates were invented. ATVs have been used to play roller hockey in many countries around the world and have many names.
Roller Derby
Roller derby is a team sport that uses roller skates on an oval track. Initially, to demonstrate skating, an out-of-speed product and a registered trademark was developed. A sport predominantly played by women is currently undergoing a revamp as a massive match-5 game.
Most roller derby leagues adopt the rules and guidelines of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association and sometimes the Men's Roller Derby Association, which is its male counterpart.
Roller skating - Sport Sbor
Many people's favorite sport, figure skating, is no longer seasonal. This winter sport has an alternative - figure skating on roller skates.
Since the rules for ice skating and inline skating are similar and the surface used is similar, these competitions are often held within the same championship. However, they also organize their own figure skating competitions held by the International Roller Sports Federation as part of the world championships.
Varieties of roller skating:
- double roller skating (quads)
- single roller skating (inline)
Disciplines in both events are similar to conventional figure skating: male and female singles, pair skating and roller dancing .
This is a fairly young sport, not even an Olympic one yet, but it is confidently gaining its position among fans of skating.
It is difficult to say when figure skating on inline skates appeared, in any case, it was recognized as a sport only in 2002, when the first world championship in figure skating on roller skates was held in Germany. But there is information about the appearance of the very first rollers. It was 250 years ago in London, on a special skating rink, where the first admirers of roller skates mastered this unusual activity. And if at first the rollers did not cause a stir and were rather primitive, then with the improvement of roller skates this sport began to develop rapidly, especially in England and the USA. For this, not only small sites were built, but also closed halls with asphalt and concrete floors.
Since 1924 the International Roller Skating Federation (FIRS) organizes European and world championships.
In Russia, roller skating is only gaining popularity. This sport was included in the Unified Sports Classifier in 2012, and the first All-Russian Championship was held in 2017.
At the same time, Russian athletes are already successfully performing at international competitions. Figure skater Anastasia Nosova took silver twice in inline skating at the World Championships in 2018 and 2019.
Roller skating began to develop more actively with the advent of high-quality equipment and the ability to manufacture equipment for individual orders.
Roller skating is a lot like ice skating, with jumps and spins and beautiful choreography.
Therefore, ice skaters are increasingly using inline roller skates for summer training.
Benefits of roller skating
- any suitable level ground can be used for practice;
- it is a source of pleasure;
- inline skates are great for figure skating cross training;
- can be a serious sport or part of a healthy active lifestyle, a favorite hobby.
Skating rollers. What is the feature?
- Figure skating inline skates have axles that are adjustable with a rubber tip support.
Their mobility is regulated by a screw or nut. - Rollers are made of plastic, ebonite or hornbeam and must be fast but non-slip.
- Especially narrow rollers are used for roller dancing, so that during difficult movements you do not hit your partner's rollers or your own second skate.
- The last improvement of the rollers can be considered a stopper. Thanks to him, you can better perform a number of jumps, stop-steps and pirouettes. The only downside is that the presence of a stopper reduces the assessment of the completed element.
- The lack of teeth on the rollers does not allow for correct tooth jumps, spins and elements such as chené (jumps and turns on the teeth).
Just like figure skating on ice, roller skating has two types of programs: compulsory and free.
Compulsory single skating
The athlete must perform the compulsory elements according to the scheme drawn on the rink, which is not the case in the ice sport, where the skaters draw the figures themselves, without a project.
The diameter of the circles is 4 m, 5 m and 6 m. The rules of the competition state that the athlete must choose a circle that corresponds to the size of his body. The loop circle has a diameter of 2.40 m. The loop inside this circle has a length of 60 cm and a width of 40 cm.
Free Skating
much more difficult. In terms of time, the men's free program takes 5 minutes, and the women's 4 minutes. The most difficult jumps receive the highest scores.
Piruets and their types
- Piruets on both legs
- High pirouettes
- Piruets on the back
- Piruet on one leg out of the back
- Pirueta on one leg in the same leg in the same leg in the one in the front of the one. leg front outward
- spinning top
- screw
- horizontal pirouette
Steps
0003
- triplet
- bracket
- hook
- counter
- loop steps, as well as various combinations depending on the music.
