Whether you’re an experienced roller skater or are just getting into the sport, it’s always fun to learn new skills and tricks you can show off at the skating rink. At our Odenton skating rink, Wheels Skate Center, we are big fans of artistic roller skating, and even host an artistic skating club as well as roller skating tournaments and championships throughout the year. Keep reading to learn some fun tricks to add to your roller skating repertoire!
Artistic Roller Skating Tricks
Salchow
This is one of the most iconic moves in artistic or figure skating, and it’s useful for incorporating into a routine with other moves as well. To start, skate backwards on your left foot with your left arm straight out in front of you and your right arm straight out to your side. (Your arms should be forming a 90 degree angle.) Your right leg should be behind your left leg, with the knee slightly bent—at this point, you’ll look almost like you’re curtseying. While keeping your left foot in position, move your right foot in a wide, round sweep from back to front, drawing your knee up as you reach the front. At this point, you’ll also bend your elbows and bring your arms up towards your chest to add power to your spin. As you rotate, you’ll jump up by pushing off of your toe stop (it’s OK to start small) and land on your right skate. Your left skate should go forward, and your arms should go out again to balance you for a graceful finish. If you’re having trouble visualizing a move, just head to YouTube to watch some roller skating tutorials.
Waltz Jump
This is another great move to incorporate into your roller skating choreography. Start with your left foot and left arm pointing forward, your right arm out at a 90 degree angle to form an “L” shape, and your right leg behind you. Skating forward, bend your right knee and elbow, bringing your arm and leg across your body to pull you into a spin and then landing on your right skate. Your right knee should be slightly bent and centered under your body, while your left leg is extended out in front of you. Use your core abdominal muscles to stop your spin and swing your left leg out behind you like the graceful swan you are. You did it!
More Skating Tricks to Try with Friends
Take a Spin in The Blender
For this you need a friend and plenty of room! Reach out with your right hand and clasp your friend’s right hand, wrapping your thumbs around each other to form a tight grasp. Do the same with your left arms, so that your arms create an X between you. Make sure you’re both holding on tight, and each of you point your right toe to your right. This will be the “steering” foot, while your other foot will be the “pushing” foot. At the same time, each of you will push off and you’ll start spinning in a counter-clockwise direction.
Slowly increase your speed until you’re comfortable, and let the centrifugal force keep you going! If you get comfortable enough, you can even unclasp one hand so that you’re only connected by the remaining hand. Practice disconnecting and reconnecting this way, dropping one partner down low while the other stays high, or even going backwards. There are tons of possibilities you can try if you both get into a good rhythm and communicate.
You Must Whip It
You don’t have to do this move to Devo’s classic new wave single, but it doesn’t hurt. In skating, whipping means to give your friend a boost of speed by slinging them forward. Start skating at the same speed, with the “whipper” slightly ahead of the “whippee.” The whipper reaches back for the whippee’s hand, then pulls the whippee forward and ahead. The whipper should use their whole core to do the whip. This will not only give more power and speed to the move, but can also keep the whipper from potentially injuring their shoulder.
Ready to try out some new moves? We’re open and can’t wait to see you back at Wheels!