Rollerblading is a leisure activity and a sport that attracts more and more enthusiasts every year. However, many people are unaware that this activity can be broken down into multiple disciplines, each as exciting as the next. In this article, we invite you to discover the different facets of inline skating and perhaps find the one that suits you best.
Roller derby: team spirit and contact
Visit roller derby is a contact discipline for women only, very popular in France thanks to teams such as Red Valentine Revenge. Two teams of five players compete on an oval track. A jammer (the attacker) has to get past the opposing blockers to score points. Contact is permitted, but there are strict rules to regulate these interactions. Blows above the shoulders, from behind, or with the elbows are generally forbidden. It's a strategic sport, where teams develop tactics to block opponents, create opportunities for them to jam, and score points.
Player Roles :
- Jammer: The jammer is the player responsible for scoring points. He must pass through the group of opposing players known as the "pack" and complete a full turn for each point scored.
- Blockers: Blockers are the players who form the pack. Their aim is to prevent the opposing jammer from passing while helping their own jammer to score points.
- Pivot: The pivot is a jammer with added responsibility. He can become his team's jammer if he receives the jammer's "panty" (a kind of distinctive headgear).
Roller derby is more than just a sport, it's a dynamic community experience that blends competition, camaraderie and individual expression.
If you like team spirit and competition, roller derby will win you over 🔥
Disco Roller: the pleasure of dancing on wheels
For those who like to dance and skate, Disco Roller is the perfect discipline. Numerous associations organize events where participants can get together to enjoy the music and sway to wild rhythms while skating. This form of entertainment became increasingly popular in the 1970s and 1980s, when disco music was at the height of its glory.
Disco Roller sessions often take place in specially equipped skating rinks. These venues are equipped with colored lighting, strobe lights and, sometimes, disco balls to recreate the joyful, effervescent atmosphere of a discotheque.
The musical element is an essential aspect of Disco Roller, with disco roller tracks usually playing popular disco songs. Participants are often encouraged to adopt a retro or disco-inspired style of dress, with sequins, bright colors, flared pants and funky accessories.
Sessions include moments of skate dancing, allowing participants to show off their dancing skills while gliding along the dance floor. Synchronized choreography and moves inspired by classic disco dances are an integral part of the experience.
Evenings can be organized for special events, birthday parties or regular sessions at dedicated rinks. Some venues even offer themed evenings with costume contests and skate dance competitions. Disco Roller aims to create a fun and inclusive atmosphere, welcoming skaters of all levels. Although it had its heyday in the 70s and 80s, Disco Roller is undergoing a contemporary renaissance, attracting a wide audience of all ages to rediscover the fun of roller disco.
Slalom, street and cross-country inline skating: agility and speed
Rollerblading also offers many possibilities for those who enjoy more technical sports. Slalom involves performing tricks by passing between lined-up studs, requiring great mastery of balance and speed. As for street and cross-country roller-skating, these allow you to indulge in the pleasures of freestyle by performing jumps, grinds and other impressive tricks.
Roller Slalom: Involves performing tricks by passing between cones or obstacles placed tightly on a flat surface. Skaters perform complex foot movements, tight turns and rotations while slaloming between obstacles. This discipline requires agility, balance and technical mastery. Roller slalom competitions can be organized, showcasing skaters' creativity and precision.
Street Roller : A skating discipline inspired by skateboarding and BMX street. Skaters move through urban environments, using landscape elements such as ramps, stairs, grind bars and other structures to perform acrobatic tricks. Street roller figures include jumps, slides, grinds and various tricks. Street skaters often express their creativity by combining moves to create unique sequences.
Roller Cross : Roller cross, also known as inline roller derby, is a discipline that combines the speed of roller skating with elements of running and physical contact. Skaters race down an in-line track, jumping over obstacles and launching themselves into tight turns. Roller cross competitions usually involve several skaters vying to cross the finish line first. This discipline requires fast skating skills, agility and the ability to negotiate various obstacles.
Each of these disciplines offers a unique approach to roller skating, allowing skaters to choose the one that best suits their preferences and skills. Whether it's the grace of slalom, the daring of street or the competition of roller cross, each discipline contributes to the richness and diversity of the roller skating community.
Roller field hockey and dance: precision and style
For those seeking a blend of team sport and art, roller field hockey and dance are two ideal disciplines. Roller field hockey is similar to ice hockey, but is played with roller skates.. It requires excellent physical condition and a well-developed sense of strategy. Dancing, on the other hand, combines grace and technique to delight both the eyes and the feet of the dancers.
Roller field hockey: Players use sticks to maneuver a puck and score goals on a roller field hockey rink. This discipline can be played indoors or outdoors, with teams of several players. Roller field hockey requires a combination of skating skills, stick handling and team strategy. Roller field hockey leagues exist at various levels, from recreational to high-level competition, offering field hockey fans an exciting alternative to the ice.
Roller dancing: Roller dancing is an artistic discipline that combines the grace of dance with the fluidity of roller skating. Roller dancers create expressive choreographies using skating movements synchronized with music. This form of artistic expression can include elements of ballet, contemporary dance, freestyle dance and even street dance. Roller skaters can also take part in roller dance competitions, where creativity, technique and musicality are assessed. Roller dance offers a unique space for self-expression and the artistic fusion of skating and dance, attracting enthusiasts of all levels and styles.
These two disciplines, roller field hockey and roller dance, illustrate the versatility of roller skating as a sporting and artistic platform. Whether in the intensity of competitive field hockey or the creative expression of dance, roller skating offers a variety of stimulating experiences for skating enthusiasts.
Clubs as places to practice and learn
The world of roller skating is attracting more and more enthusiasts, whether for the pleasure of skating, competition or the search for an entertaining physical activity. At the heart of this thriving community, roller clubs play an essential role as places to practice and learn, offering skaters of all levels a dynamic and inclusive environment.
Roller clubs serve as structured teaching platforms, where novices can learn the basics of skating while benefiting from the guidance of experienced instructors. Classes for all ages and levels are often offered, enabling beginners to master the art of skating with confidence. These courses cover a wide range of aspects, from basic balance to advanced techniques, and offer continuous progression. More than just places to learn, they create a close-knit community of skating enthusiasts, encouraging the exchange of advice, experience and camaraderie. Members share a common passion, creating a stimulating environment where everyone feels encouraged to improve. Clubs frequently organize social events, group outings and in-house competitions to strengthen ties within the community.
A considerable advantage of roller clubs lies in their ability to offer practice opportunities in all seasons. Skaters can train indoors at dedicated rinks during the winter months, and enjoy outdoor spaces during the warmer seasons. This ensures continuity in skating practice throughout the year, offering valuable flexibility to regular skaters.
Rollerblading: a sport with many faces
