Artistic Skating

**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.

Artistic roller skating is a sport which consists of a number of events. These are usually accomplished on quad skates, but inline skates may be used for some events. Various flights of events are organized by age and ability/experience. In the US, local competitions led to 9 regional competitions which led to the National Championships and World Championships.

## History

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.

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.

## Styles & Disciplines

### **Figure**

Figure is when 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). 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.

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.
Dance

### **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 competitions, while others are unique to roller skating.

Couples Compulsory Dance is when 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 is when 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.

Original Dance the individual dancer or dance couple performs a routine to a musical medley with a set theme. The original 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 Junior and Senior level, original dance has replaced compulsory dance. 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).

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.

Creative Solo / 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. 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.
Freestyle skating

### **Freestyle skating**

Artistic freestyle skating 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 [5] 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**

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 of Michigan 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.

## References, Sources & Bibliography

"Worldskate - Skateboarding & Roller Sports - Regulations - Rule Books". www.worldskate.org. Retrieved 2020-10-05.

2002 results Archived January 9, 2007, at the Wayback Machine

"World Skate finally bans-russian- Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials". www.insidethegames.biz. 2 April 2022.

Roller Skating Association International (5 October 2020). "RSA CIRCLE FIGURE TESTS Requirements" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 25 January 2021.

Video on YouTube

DoctorTDesigns (2012-07-17). "Skating Equipment: Let's Talk Boots". Doctor T Designs. Retrieved 2020-10-05.

"All Inline Figure Frames". sk8gear. Retrieved 2020-10-05.

DoctorTDesigns (2012-06-25). "Skating Equipment: Let's Talk Plates". Doctor T Designs. Retrieved 2020-10-05.

DoctorTDesigns (2012-06-05). "Skating Equipment: Let's Talk Wheels". Doctor T Designs. Retrieved 2020-10-05.

DoctorTDesigns (2012-06-12). "Skating Equipment: Let's Talk Bearings". Doctor T Designs. Retrieved 2020-10-05.

Marina Kielmann's official site

USA Artistic Roller Skating Rulebook, 2000 edition. Lincoln, NE: USA Roller Sports. 2000.

Dance Skating Patterns & Notes

World Skate Official Artistic Rulebooks 2021