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I n t r o d u c t i o n
t o
U S A
R o l l e r S p o r t s
F i g u r e S k a t i n g

Artistic Roller Skating is a sport with many dimensions.  The disciplines include: Singles Freestyle, Pairs Freestyle, Dance, Precision Team, Figures, and Creative Events.  But first, lets view the sport in general. 

Skaters normally begin to skate in a group lesson environment, such as the RSA's Learn-to-Skate program, or the USA Rollersports Star Program.  Basic Skills classes are taught at most rinks on a regular basis throughout the year, and are an inexpensive way to learn the basics of skating, whether your interest is in competitive skating, recreational skating, or roller hockey.  When skaters have learned the basic elements of skating in this group environment, they often join a skating club and begin to further develop those skills by working with a private instructor, coach or "Pro".  In order to join some clubs, skaters must have passed through, or have demonstrated capability in all of the skills through the "Merit and 4-Stars of the Star Program.

Club skaters typically practice anywhere from 1 to as many as 12-15 hours per week, depending on their level of interest, competitiveness, and family budget.

Many skaters compete, and when they do so, they compete within groups of other skaters with similar ability and age levels. 

Freestyle
This is the discipline in Artistic Skating that most spectators are familiar with.  In Freestyle skating, or "Singles Freestyle" skating, a competitive skater performs a "program" that lasts anywhere from 1 to 4-1/2 minutes, is composed of footwork, jumps and spins, and is skated to music. 

In freestyle competition, both "long" and "short" programs are skated in higher level events.  The "short program" at these levels has a very specific list of elements which must be performed, and the skater is marked on his/her performance of those elements.  Specific deductions are taken for missing or failed elements, and for added or repeated elements.  The "long program"  has no list of required elements, only a general set of guidelines for what should or should not be included.  Skaters are marked on both the quality of elements performed and the difficulty & content of the program. 

Pairs
Pairs skating is similar in many respects to singles freeskating, except that 2 skaters perform together.  This adds all sorts of opportunities for new moves, such as lifts, throws, and pair spins and jumps.  High level pairs skating has both "long" and "short" programs, just like singles freeskating. 

Dance
Dance is the discipline within rollerskating that most emphasizes the "beauty" of the sport, rather than the athleticism.  Dance emphasizes the techniques of edgework, flow, and motion of 2 skaters together in rhythmic interpretation of music.  Dance has 3 main focus areas, the "Compulsory Dance", "Original Set Pattern Dance" and the "Free Dance". 

In compulsory dance, skaters are given a very specific pattern and tempo to follow.  This pattern is shown in the form of a drawing which specifies the skater's moves right down to which foot is doing what particular step during every single "beat" of the music.  Dancers are marked on their ability to skate the required pattern with demonstrated musical feeling. 

In original set pattern (OSP) dance, skaters get to make up their own "specific pattern", within specified guidelines.  These programs must demonstrate basic dance elements and steps in a musical, but not theatrical way.  No jumps or spins are allowed, and dancers are required to stay close proximity throughout the course of the dance program.

In free dance, skaters get to make up their own "programs", within specified guidelines.  These programs must demonstrate basic dance elements, limited lifts and steps in a musical, but not "theatrical" way.  No jumps or spins are allowed, and dancers are required to stay close together throughout the course of the dance program.

Solo Dance 
In solo dance, each skater is given a very specific pattern and tempo to follow.  This pattern is shown in the form of a drawing which specifies the skater's moves right down to which foot is doing what particular step during every single "beat" of the music.  Dancers are marked on their ability to skate the required pattern with demonstrated musical feeling. 

In creative solo dance, skaters get to make up their own "specific pattern", within specified guidelines.  These programs must demonstrate basic dance elements and steps in a musical, and often theatrical way.  No jumps or spins are allowed in the dance program.

Dance is one of the skating disciplines where age is no barrier. Many adults and senior adults nationwide enjoy this discipline for both its athletic value and its social aspects.

Figures
Figures is another of the technical disciplines, one primarily emphasizing body control and edges/turns.  Figures are based on the "figure 8s" for which the sport is named, and there are dozens of different ways to modify the basic figure 8 for testing purposes.  Each variation emphasizes a specific skill, and all require great concentration and stamina to perform.  Figures are still tested and competed.

Synchronized (Precision) Team Skating
Synchronized Team Skating (once known as "precision skating") is a "team" event, with teams of 8 to as many as 24 skaters skating complicated routines similar to those performed by marching bands or drum corps. Large teams may execute patterns of incredible complexity and beauty. The teamwork and timing required makes this a challenging sport.  Precision skating is another discipline where age is not a significant barrier, and adults nationwide enjoy and compete in this discipline. 

Precision Show Team Skating
Precision Show Team Skating is a "team" event, with teams of as many as 30 skaters skating complicated routines similar to ice shows. In addition to patterns of incredible complexity and beauty, the show team event allows featured skaters and groups to break away from the main performance to do specialized content such as jumps or spins, allows acrobatic moves as well as the use of props. The teamwork, timing and showmanship required makes this an exciting event.  Precision show skating is another discipline where age is not a significant barrier, and adults nationwide enjoy and compete in this discipline.