Artistic roller skating is a competitive sport similar to figure skating but where competitors wear roller skates instead of ice skates. Within artistic roller skating, there are several disciplines:[1]
Figures: the individual follows the figure circle line on a specific edge. Figures become progressively more complex with the addition of turns and the use of the third circle (similar to compulsory or "school" figures on ice).
Free Skating: Individual skaters perform solo routines with jumps varying from singles to doubles, triples and quads, and spins to their chosen piece of music. They compete with a Short Program (usually around 2:45 minutes long) and are then classified in Top 10 and Less Top 10 categories depending on their rankings in the Short Program to compete in the Long Program (also known as a Free Program and usually around 4 minutes long).
Duo Free (also called Pairs): two individuals perform jumps, spins, and lifts to their chosen piece of music.
Couples Compulsory Dance: two people perform a dance consisting of a set sequence of steps in a pattern around the rink to a piece of music to a given tempo. There are no jumps or spins.
Solo Compulsory Dance: an individual performs a dance consisting of a set series of steps in a pattern around the rink to a piece of music to a given tempo. There are no jumps or spins.
Quartet: A themed routine performed by a team of four skaters. Team skating, similar to synchronized skating on ice.
Club Show: A club of skaters perform a themed show routine.
Style dance: the individual dancer or dance couple performs a routine to a musical medley with a set theme. The style dance includes a section that is a set compulsory dance but the rest of the routine is original choreography in keeping with the given theme. In national and international championships at the Cadet, Youth, Junior and Senior level, style dances have replaced compulsory dance.
Solo dance: the individual dancer or dance couple performs a routine to their chosen piece(s) of music. Solo dancers first compete with a Style Dance which includes a Pattern Sequence corresponding to the required steps from a compulsory dance and three of: Travelling Sequence, Cluster Sequence, Footwork Sequence and Artistic Footwork Sequence. Only three of the four elements are presented depending on the requirements for the year implemented by the World Skate Technical Commission. After the Style Dance, skaters compete in reverse order, with a Free Dance routine including all four elements in addition to a Choreographic Sequence and a Dance Step Sequence . In couples free dance there are restrictions on the types of lifts allowed. In this discipline, skaters are allowed to perform one to two single-rotation jumps and/or a basic spin.
Large Show Group: A group of sixteen (16)to thirty (30) skaters (women and/or men) with a maximum of four (4) extras. [2]
Small Show Group: A group of six (6) to twelve (12) skaters (women and/or men) with a maximum of two (2) extras. [3]
Artistic roller skaters use either quad or inline skates, though quad skates are more traditional and significantly more common. Generally, quad and inline skaters compete in separate events and not against each other. Inline figure skating has been included in the world championships since 2002 in Wuppertal, Germany.[4]
The sport is similar to its counterpart on ice, with some differences in moves, technique, and judging. Many ice skaters started in roller skating or vice versa. Famous champion ice skaters who once competed in roller skating include Brian Boitano, Tara Lipinski and Marina Kielmann. Artistic roller skating is often considered to be more difficult because ice allows the skater to draw a deep edge to push off from when performing jumps such as a Lutz or an Axel and roller skates are heavier than their ice equivalents, making jumping harder.
Due to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, World Skate banned Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials from its competitions, and will not stage any events in Russia or Belarus in 2022.[5]
Roller skating disciplines
Figures
In figures, skaters trace figure circles painted on the surface of the floor. This is different from compulsory figures on ice, who skate on blank ice and draw their own circles, leaving tracings on the ice as they skate. The official dimension of plain figure circles, measured at their diameter is 6 meters (19 feet, 8+1⁄4 inches). The official dimension of smaller loop figure circles measure at 2.4 meters (7 feet, 10+1⁄2 inches). Circles are typically painted in "serpentines"—sets of three circular lobes.
The basic figures skated are typically referred to by numbers, the same as those skated by ice skaters, ranging from simple circle eights through serpentines (figures using one push for a circle and a half), paragraphs (figures using one push for two circles), and loops (smaller circles with a teardrop-shaped loop skated at the top of the circle). There is one category of simple figures (111 and 112) that are unique to roller skaters; these are serpentines that begin with a half circle skated on one foot, then change to the other foot, for the next circle, then change back to the other foot for another half circle. Some of the more basic figures are numbered 1, 2, 1B, 5A, 5B, 7A, 7B, 111A, 111B, 112A, and 112B, in which the letter B designates starting on the left foot. These figures are often taught as beginning figures for those just starting. They include simple circle eights, circle eights with three turns, and serpentines. More difficult figures include the use of turns like counters, brackets, and rockers, and they are numbered 19, 21, 22, 26, etc.[6]
Judges in figure events consider the quality of the skater's tracing of the circle, clean takeoffs, edges and correct placement of turns. The skater's form and posture is emphasized as well.
Nellie Donegan, 1913 AustraliaGermany in 1952
Dance
Dance roller skating contains three major sub-disciplines: Compulsory dance, original dance, style dance and free dance.
Compulsory dance contains prescribed compulsory dances and steps that must be performed, such as the Imperial Tango, the 14 Step, the Keats Foxtrot , or the Flirtation Waltz. Some of the dances are the same as performed in ice dancing competition, while others are unique to roller skating.
American Dance is performed only at the United States National level and below, and emphasizes keeping the upper body upright and free from movement. Some examples of American dances are the Fascination Foxtrot, Progressive Tango, and the California Swing.
Original Dance consists of a dance constructed of two rhythms chosen from a set of rhythms that FIRS changes every year . In 2008 the set rhythms were "Spanish Melody" ( Paso Doble, Flamenco, Tango, and Spanish Waltz ).
Free Dance is similar to the ice free dance, although with some rules changes. Skaters do not need to follow a pattern around the floor, but rather must be creative in their interpretation of the music. Dancers cannot do any jumps or spins that are recognizable in freestyle skating.
Another style similar to free dance is called Creative Solo Dance, or CSD. This has a tighter pattern than a free dance, but is created by the skater or their coach. This pattern can be to any music, as long as it does not change speed. The pattern must be repeated twice, with opening and closing steps.
Solo Dance incorporates all three sub-disciplines. Compulsory dances generally utilize the female steps as these are usually more difficult than the male steps. Original dance is referred to as Creative Solo Dance or CSD, and free dance incorporates up to two spins with no more than 3 revolutions and up to two jumps of no more than 1 revolution.
Free skating
Executing a jump, video, 12 seconds
Artistic free skating (also known as freestyle) incorporates figure skating jumps, spins, and footwork into a program set to music. Most of the jumps done by freestyle roller skaters are similar to those performed in ice skating, with some nomenclature changed. A "toe loop" on ice is often referred to as a Mapes in roller skating, taking its name from the inventor of the jump. Though both ice and roller skaters perform the Euler jump (also called a "half-loop" or "Thorén"), it is more common in roller skating programs, as lengthy multi-jump combinations are emphasized in roller skating judging. The Euler is a useful connecting jump in such sequences; for example, a five-jump combination might be Axel, loop, double toe loop, Euler, double flip. The hardest part of a five jump combination is usually keeping up enough speed to complete the fifth jump, which can sometimes be the most technically difficult. The "loop" jump is also performed in roller skating, though ice skaters tend to "take off" with two feet, roller skaters do a one-foot take off.
Roller skating also traditionally emphasizes spins that are uncommon on ice, especially the inverted camel in which the skater is on an outside edge with their body and left leg extended outward parallel to the floor, the skater then rotates their hips 180 degrees while continuing to spin so that they are spinning upside down [7] The inverted camel is generally performed by women; few men learn to do it and even fewer perform it in competition. Other spins popular in roller skating that would be impossible to do with the blades of an ice skate include the broken ankle, which begins as an inside-edge camel and the skater then pushes the skate over so that the spin is rotating on the edge of the two inner wheels, and the heel camel spin, which is only rotated on the back two wheels, or heel.
Precision
Precision roller skating consists of 12–24 athletes skating on the floor at one time moving as one flowing unit at high speeds. This discipline of Precision skating is named because of the emphasis on maintaining precise formations and timing of the group.
For a precision team to flow in unison, individual skaters must be competent at a variety of skating skills, including speed, footwork and presentation. The team performs a program set to music, with required formations including circles, lines, blocks, wheels, and intersections. The teams are required to perform difficult step sequences involving a number of complicated turns.
There are international synchronized skating competitions at the Senior level, and the Federation Internationale de Roller Sports (FIRS) held the first World Championship in Precision Roller Skating in 2000. Teams may consist of men and women with Senior Teams having 12–24 team members and Junior Teams having 8-16 team members. Two scores are given, one for technical and one for artistic impression.
Precision Roller Skating owes its origin to Synchronized skating on ice. The first synchronized figure skating team was formed by Dr. Richard Porter, who became known as the 'father of synchronized skating'. The 'Hockettes' skated out of Ann Arbor, Michigan and entertained spectators during the intermissions of the University ofMichigan Wolverines men's ice hockey team. In the early days, precision skating resembled a drill team routine, or a precision dance company such as The Rockettes.
During the 1970s, the interest for this new sport spawned tremendous growth and development. In each season, teams developed more creative and innovative routines incorporating stronger basic skating skills, new maneuvers and more sophisticated transitions with greater speed, style and agility. Due to the interest in the sport in North America, other countries took notice, leading to the World Championships. With the internationalization of the sport, it has evolved rapidly, with increasing emphasis on speed and skating skills.
Although not currently an Olympic sport, fans and participants of this fast-growing discipline have begun to strive for recognition by the rest of the athletic world. Precision Roller Skating has been covered by Roller Skating and the USARS magazine since the sport's inception. It is a varsity sport at a few colleges, and both Precision Roller Skating and its ice counterpart are being reviewed for Olympic eligibility.
Creative Solo/Free Dance
Artistic roller skaters who participate in this event most likely do solo dance or team dance. This event requires the coach and skater to select a song that can stay appropriate for any age. For example, songs from Mary Poppins, Singin' In The Rain etc. It is up to the coach or choreographer to design a routine that has a maximum of three jumps and two spins and has some dance moves such as swings, runs, etc.. As of the 2016–2017 season, USARS has decided to add tumbling to their total score, allowing skaters to do optional cartwheels, splits and other forms of tumbling.
This event is taken to the World Championships, however, only for Junior World Class and World Class Skaters only, these skaters are asked to compete in an international-style creative which can be French theme, African Theme, European Theme and the most popular: Spanish Themed. As of the 2015–2016 skating season, USARS opened up an Elementary International Creative Solo/Free dance event which allows 12 year olds and under to participate in an international-style routine that would be taken to regional and national championships. This event can be a combined, combining with international solo dance scores as a potential spot to go to nationals.
To skate the combined event at regionals/nationals, skater must pay a separate entry fee to have the scores for International free dance and International Solo Dance combined for a chance to get an extra medal and extra ticket to nationals.
Solo Dance
The style dance is an event only participants can compete in for Junior and Senior World Class (the skaters trying to make it on the world team for their country). The style dance is international, which means it must have an international flare. Music can be in any language, and costume has to match the music theme.
The style dance does not need to have jumps or spins but does require repetitions of the given dance. This event is dance but does require a toe stop as there is footwork that needs to be included.
Equipment
Skates
Artistic roller skaters skate on quad skates or inline skates (for the inline free skating discipline). Skates consist of four essential parts: boots, plates, wheels, and bearings. Skaters may sometimes use jump bars on their plates for added stability. Free skaters (both quad and inline) have a toe stop on their plates. While plates are usually long lasting and durable, boots, wheels, and toe stops need to be replaced as they wear down with use.
Boots
Boots used in artistic roller skating are traditionally made of leather, but contemporary boots are often crafted using synthetic materials. While there are boots made specifically for artistic roller skating, skaters may choose to use ice boots, though the use of ice boots is mostly prominent in inline skating. The style of boot varies based on the personal preference and the discipline the skate is used to skate in. In general, free skating boots are stiff to support skaters' ankles and prevent injury as they spin and jump. In the figures discipline, stiff boots are used for circle figures while slightly softer boots are used for loop figures. Dance boots are the most flexible and soft, with a low cut back for ankle mobility, allowing the skater to point their foot and create aesthetic lines with their leg. Boots come in many different brands, some of the most popular being Riedell, Edea, Risport, Harlick, SP Teri, and Jackson.[8]
Inline frames (plates)
Frames designed for inline artistic skating have three or four rockered wheels with a toe stop or toe "pic" placed at the front. Rockered wheels (wheels which are arranged at different heights so that the baseline of the wheels forms a curve instead of a flat line) are more suitable to simulate the curved blades on ice and achieve deep edges needed to perform footwork and spins. Popular inline frame brands include Snow White, PIC, Roll-line, Golden Horse (GH Skates), and STD Skates.[9]
Quad plates
Quad plates designed for artistic skating vary in design based on the discipline they are created for. Professional and mid-level plates are made of a strong lightweight metal like aluminum, stainless steel, or titanium. Entry-level plates can be made of nylon or other plastics. Freestyle and creative solo plates will have toe stops at the front to execute jumps (used in the take-off of jumps such as the toe loop or the flip), spins, and footwork. For compulsory dance and figures where toe stops are unnecessary and may impair the skater's mobility, plates will often have no receptacle for a toe stop; the skater may also choose to remove the existing toe stops from their plate and replace it with a jam plug or mini stopper. For loop figures, skaters will often mount a shorter plate to their boot for maximum maneuverability. Some dance plates have a lower center of gravity for extra stability. Popular quad plate brands include Roll-line, RollerSkates Italia, Atlas, and Snyder.[10]
Wheels
Quad wheels are made of polyurethane and come in varying sizes and hardnesses. The size of a wheel is determined by two dimensions: height and contact width (how much of the wheel touches the floor). Typically, a 62mm height is used for dance, 63mm used for circle figures, 60mm used for loop figures, and a more maneuverable 55 or 57mm wheel used for freestyle.[11] The contact width of an artistic wheel is very small, around 30–32mm.
The hardness (or durometer) determines the grip and slip of a wheel. Durometer is measured either on the A or D shore scales, where a higher number is a harder and more slippery wheel. Skaters may choose wheels based on their skating discipline and the floor type they are skating on (wood, sport court, concrete, etc.). Normally, a harder wheel with more slip is used for turn figures. Figure skaters often elect to use a mix of wheel hardnesses on their skates to optimize turning and acceleration, with a softer "push" wheel. Freestyle skaters tend to use a mix of hardnesses on skates, using a harder wheel on the edge they need to spin and a softer wheel on the other edges. A typical freestyle wheel will range from 92A–103A or 35D–61D. A softer wheel with more grip is used for dance. Popular quad wheel brands include Roll-line, Rollerbones, Komplex, and Boiani.
Inline wheels have a rounded profile and small contact widths. The typical range for inline wheel heights are 62–80mm. Typical hardness will be from 82A–90A. Inline artistic skaters have a more limited choice in wheels due to the fact that the wheel brand is often specific to and must correspond to the frame's brand to properly fit.
Bearings
Ball bearings are placed in wheels and allow them to roll. Typically, 7mm bearings are used on quad artistic skates, but 8mm bearings can be used on certain plates that have an 8mm axle. Most inline skates use 8mm bearings. The ABEC rating determines the tolerances in the bearing;[12] the higher the ABEC rating, the more tolerance. Steel ball bearings are most commonly used, but many figure skaters may use ceramic bearings for better acceleration and smoother roll when tracing figures.
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