archived as www.stealthskater.com/Documents/RollerSkating_Competition.doc (also …RollerSkating_Competition.pdf) => doc pdf URL-doc URL-pdf

other articles are on the /Sports.htm page at doc pdf URL

note: because important websites are frequently "here today but gone tomorrow", the following was archived from various websites on 02/12/2018. This is NOT an attempt to divert readers from the following websites. Indeed, the reader should only read this back-up copy if the updated original cannot be found at the original author's site.

http://www.rollerskating.com/pages/super+skater+program/34

the Super Skater Program (for beginning skaters)

'Super Skater' is a program designed to recognize achievement at the beginner level. Anyone of any age may take this basic skills exam. No previous roller skating skills are required. There are no RSA membership requirements.

At the roller skating instructor's discretion, either 1 or 3 judges may be used. All judges must be at least 15 years of age. RSA judge's commissions are not required, but individuals who are judging must have skating knowledge. If 3 judges are used, a majority will determine if the skater has passed the requirements. Upon completion of the Super Skate' tests, fill out the Super Skater I and/or II form(s) and send with $3.00 per test to:

RSAAttn: Achievement6095 Corporate DriveIndianapolis, IN 46278

Super Skater pins may be purchased by the Rink owner/operator or RSA SRSTA coach prior to the Super Skater Test Center and presented on the spot to skaters who pass. Please contact the RSA Achievement Director with any questions (317) 347-2626 or achievement@rollerskating.com . Forms are available from the national office or on the website at www.rollerskating.org.

Download Super Skater Poster (you may open and edit in Illustrator or another design program)(http://www.rollerskating.com/files_uploaded/6a851923f24c38176ce65c4f0aa29909.pdf )

Using Super Skater in your Rink

● Super Skater -- How it WORKS for YOU!(http://www.rollerskating.com/files_uploaded/cbb6db164c6f26e781a8ff19a9156a1a.pdf )

● Teaching Beginning Skating(http://www.rollerskating.com/files_uploaded/a0fbe2d4b4f47666421084c95cce97f5.pdf )

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Super Skater (for beginning skaters) Requirements

Super Skater Award Requirements Level I. Cost: $3.00

The skater must perform and pass any three of the five requirements to receive a RED level I award pin.

1. Stopping or BrakingThe skater must stop within 10 feet without falling.In-line: The skater must skate continuously at a comfortable speed make an emergency stop in a

straight line by raising the toe of one skate and applying his or her brake. Or the skater may use the traditional “T” stop.

Quad: Have the skater point the toe-stop of his or her free skate toward the floor and then let it drag the surface. Or the skater may use the traditional "T" stop.

2. ManeuveringSet up 10 cones, 10 feet apart along a straight line 100 feet long. The skater skates at a comfortable

speed weaving in-and-out of the cones without knocking them down.

3. Forward CrosspullsSkaters must perform one repetition in a circle. Use a figure circle or set up cones.

4. Balancing on One FootSkaters must skate a distance of 50 feet balancing from one skate to the other for a slow count of

three on each skate.

5. LimboThe skater will perform one pass under the limbo pole without falling or touching the bar. (The

height of the bar or pole is to be positioned at the skater’s chest).

Super Skater Award Requirements Level II. Cost: $3.00

The skater must pass 4 of the 6 requirements to receive a BLUE Level II award pin and certificate.

1. Forward Crossovers (the collegiate straigway)Skater does one sequence down or across the rink (6 or more crossovers).

2. Backward ScissorsSkater does one sequence across the rink.

3. JumpSkater must perform a 2-foot jump with a ½ turn revolution.

4. SpinSkater does any spin of 2-or-more revolutions.

5. RaceSkater completes 2 laps around a speed track in 45 seconds or less.

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6. HockeySkater must display a technical skill using the hockey stick.

Super Skater Test Forms

Super Skater Level I (http://www.rollerskating.com/files_uploaded/c9bf1e940e9993d36ab725beeb9e080d.pdf )

Super Skater Level II(http://www.rollerskating.com/files_uploaded/85239263c7024574f2478ac1f0fa9ed9.pdf )

Super Skater Fillable Certificate Level 1(http://www.rollerskating.com/files_uploaded/c83125b44afb0372c97d1b837d69c294.pdf )

Super Skater Fillable Certificate - Level 2(http://www.rollerskating.com/files_uploaded/d4749826e16b2c9a3887044024e552fc.pdf )

Super Skater ContestSuper Skater Contest Ad

(http://www.rollerskating.com/files_uploaded/2f167bc5079da4280d9fa9262b840cee.pdf )

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artistic_roller_skating

Competition Roller Skating

Artistic Roller Skating is a sport similar to figure skating but where competitors wear roller skates instead of ice skates. Within artistic roller skating, there are several disciplines:

● Figures (similar to compulsory or "school" figures on ice)● Freestyle (individuals performing jumps and spins)● Pairs (a subset of freestyle with two people performing jumps,

spins, and lifts)● Dance (couple)● Solo dance● Precision (team skating, similar to synchronized skating on

ice)● Show teams● Creative Solo/Freedance

Artistic roller skaters use either quad or inline skates although quad skates are more traditional and significantly more common. Generally quad and inline skaters

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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 looks very similar to its counterpart on ice and although there are some differences, 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.

Roller figure skating is often considered to be more difficult because the ice allows the skater to draw a deep solid edge to push off from when performing jumps such as a lutz or an axel. Also, roller skates are generally heavier than their ice equivalents (making jumping harder) and do not leave behind tracings (which makes judging by eye more difficult on tracing out a figure).

Equipment

Skates

Artistic roller skaters most commonly skate on traditional quad skates. Skates designed for artistic skating typically have leather boots, a strong sole plate, and a jump bar for reinforcement. The plate has to be made from a strong material as it has to be able to withstand the shock of jumping and landing. Artistic roller skates usually have stainless steel or aluminum plates for that reason even though these are heavier than ones made from other materials such as plastic.

Free skaters usually use a toe stop which can be used in the take-off in certain jumps such as the Mapes or the flip. Dance skaters substitute toe plugs as the large toe stops are cumbersome when performing dance footwork. Figure skaters generally have specially made plates for figure skating which have no receptacle for the toe stop.

Some artistic skaters use inline skates. Skates designed for inline artistic skating have leather boots (as ice and quad figure skates do) and usually have rockered wheels and a toe stop or toe "pic". 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 skate the curved "edges" which are typical of artistic skating than un-rockered inline wheels are.

Roller skate wheels and bearings

Roller skate wheels come in many different sizes and hardnesses. Typically a 62mm wheel is used for dance, 60mm to 63mm used for figures, and a smaller 57mm wheel used for freestyle. The hardness of the wheel determines the grip or slip of the wheel. Normally a harder wheel having more slip is used for turn figures. A softer wheel with more grip is used for dance. Freestyle skaters tend to use both on the skates using a harder wheel on the edge they need to spin and a softer wheel on the other edges.

Typically 7mm bearings are used because competitive artistic skates have a smaller axle. Most inline skates use an 8mm bearing. The Abec rating determines the tolerances in the bearing and most people can use an Abec3. However, most people believe the extra cost of Abec 7 or 9 bearings is worth paying for a better bearing. There are also other kinds of bearings such as Swiss Bones which are also a very high quality.

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Figures Skating

In the figures discipline, skaters trace figure circles painted on the skating surface. This is different from skaters of compulsory figures on ice who skate on blank ice and draw their own circles on the ice as they skate. The official dimension of plain figure circles measured at their diameter along the long axis is 6 meters (19 feet, 8¼ inches). The official dimension of the smaller loop figure circles measured similarly is 2.4 meters (7 feet, 10½ 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 2 circles), and loops (smaller circles with a teardrop-shaped loop skated at the top of the circle).

There is one category of very 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' means you start on your 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. The harder figures include counters, brackets, rockers, etc. and they are number 19, 21, 22, 26, etc.

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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.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Figure_skatingToe jumps include toe loops, flips, and lutzes. Edge jumps include salchows, loops, and axels.

Other jumps include half toe loop (ballet jump), half loop, half flip, walley jump, waltz jump, inside Axel, one-foot Axel, and split jump. There are two kinds of split jump. Russian split performed in a position that is similar to that of a straddle split. And the ladies split performed in the position of the more traditional split facing the direction of the front leg

Spins are a required element in all 4 Olympic disciplines. There are 3 basic positions (sit, camel, and upright) and numerous variations. Camel spin variations include catch-foot, layover, and doughnut. Sit spin variations include pancake, broken leg, tuck behind, cannonball, and clam. Upright spin variations include layback, Biellmann, haircutter, layover layback, and pearl.

Lifts are a required element in pair skating and ice dancing. Pair lifts are generally overhead and are grouped by the holds involved.

Legal holds: Armpit holds are not generally used in elite senior competition. Waist holds Hand-to-hip holds Hand-to-hand lifts are divided into two types: Press lifts Lasso lifts in order of increasing difficulty: Toe or step in lasso Axel or backward lasso Reverse lasso

Twist lifts are a form of pair lifts where the lifted partner is thrown into the air, twists, and is caught by the lifted partner.

Ice dancers are not allowed to lift their partners above their shoulders. Dance lifts are separated into short lifts and long lifts. There are many positions each partner can take to raise the difficulty of a lift. Each position must be held for at least three seconds to count and is permitted only once in a program.

Short lifts may last up to 6 seconds in competition on the senior level.

Stationary lift Straight line lift Curve life Rotational lift Reverse rotational lift Serpentine lift Combination

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Dance Roller Skating

Dance roller skating contains 3 major sub-disciplines: Compulsory dance, original 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 2 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 doesn't 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.

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 (called a "half-loop" by ice skaters and some roller skaters), 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 Mapes, Euler, double flip.

The hardest part of a 5 jump combination is usually keeping up enough speed to complete the 5 th

jump which can sometimes be the most technically difficult. The "loop" jump is also performed in roller skating although ice skaters tend to "take off" with 2 feet and 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 standing on the right foot with their body and left leg

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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 (of course this could also be performed on the left.) 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. 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 2 wheels or heel.

Precision Roller Skating

Precision Roller Skating is a large and fast-growing yet little recognized discipline consisting 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. 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. Both Precision Roller Skating and its ice counterpart are being reviewed for Olympic eligibility.

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Creative Solo/Freedance

Artistic roller skaters who participate in this event most likely does solo dance or team dance. This event requires the coach and skater to think of a song that can stay appropriate for any age. For example, pick songs from Mary Poppins, Singin' In The Rain, etc. It is up to the coach or choreographer to design a routine that has a minimum of 3 jumps and 2 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/Freedance 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, a skater must pay a separate entry free to have the scores for International Freedance and International Solo Dance combined for a chance to get an extra medal and extra ticket to nationals.

Style Dance

The Style Dance (not to be mistaken for the Creative Freedance) 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 the costume has to match the music theme.

The style dance doesn't need to have jumps or spins but does require repetitions of the given dance. This event is dance but does require a toestop as there is footwork that needs to be included.

Artistic Roller Skating World Championship (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artistic_Skating_World_Championship )

Artistic roller skating at the World Games (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artistic_roller_skating_at_the_World_Games )International Roller Sports Federation

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F%C3%A9d%C3%A9ration_Internationale_de_Roller_Sports )

http://www.susan-a-miller.com/skate/links.html

USA Roller Sports ( http://www.usarollersports.org )United States Amateur Roller Skating Association (www.usarsarollerskaters.org )National Museum of Roller Skating (http://www.rollerskatingmuseum.com )

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Easy way to connect with skaters, post pictures, etc.(http://www.facebook.com/pages/Vintage-Roller-Skating/127632471547?ref=nf )

Jayson Sutcliffe is a world champion skater, author, and webmaster extraordinaire. Features one of the best modern-day skate website coverage around. (http://www.jaysonsutcliffe.com )

Skate Log (http://www.skatelog.com/index.htm )Modern coverage of the sport with plenty of nods to the Past

(http://www.rollerskatersgazette.com)

Regional Skating Group Sites

North Central (http://www.northcentralrs.com/ )Great Lakes (http://www.skategreatlakes.org/ )Southwest Region (http://pages.prodigy.net/alsals/swpr.htm )South Central (updated!) (http://www.usarssc.com/ )Southern Region (http://southernsk8r.org/ )Northeast Region (http://www.100megsfree2.com/northeastrs/index.html )[Archive] (http://pages.prodigy.net/alsals/Archives.htm )

Large indexed collection of links artistic roller skating Videos online (YouTube)( http://www.uq.net.au/~zzbarneg/gbh_skating_videos.htm )

Collection of vocal (and instrumental) dance skating Music which sell for the cost of materials + postage. (http://www.uq.net.au/~zzbarneg/sk_dancemusic.htm )

The largest collection of dance skating Patterns online. (http://www.uq.net.au/~zzbarneg/dancepatterns.htm )

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Jim Bray

Jim Bray (born February 23, 1961, Upland, California) is a former competitive artistic roller skater. He went to Chaffey High School and graduated in 1979. He won several national titles in Singles and Pairs. At the age of 18, he gave up his amateur status to star in the roller disco movie Roller Boogie starring Linda Blair. At the time of his appearance in Roller Boogie, he had amassed 275 trophies.

Jim Bray was one of the most talented young freestyle skaters in the USA. Though currently (August 1979) skating for instructors Chris Baerg (Downey) and Rick Weber (Simi Valley), he has lived in Ontario, California for all of his 18 years. Jim has skated competitively for 12 years having won every Artistic Singles event from Primary Boys to Senior Men's in his Regional competitions. In National meets, he has won in all divisions with the exception of Senior Mens (in which he placed second in 1977 and third in 1978). Altogether, this young freestylist has about 275 trophies to show for his skating efforts.

Now entering the International level, Jim feels the added challenge. As he puts it: "It's nearly impossible to win an International title in your first season. I'm hoping to make in my third." He feels his strength lies in freestyle although he is quick to point to the abilities of other skaters in that event. "Ricky Ellsworth will be my toughest competition. I think he's the best freestylist in the USA." Jim is working extra hard on his figures in hopes of building his strength in that exacting area of artistic skating.

To that end, he has studied with Omar and Delores Dunn (Bakersfield, CA), perhaps the Nation's leading instructors of the exacting discipline of artistic Figure skating. However, Jim, like many other freestyle skaters, feels that compulsory figures play a disproportionately major role in deciding Freestyle competition (or at least, separate the two).

More on Jim Bray is at http://www.susan-a-miller.com/rollerboogie/jimbray1e.html .

The Roller Boogie movie is at https://www.amazon.com/Roller-Boogie-Linda-Blair/dp/B00026L7Q8 .

(Xanadu (starring Olivia Newton-John and Gene Kelly) is another movie that featured great roller-skating in the 1980s. It is at https://www.amazon.com/Xanadu-Magical-Olivia-Newton-John/dp/B001JV5BEE/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_74_img_0?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=R7GF3J2VWNVCQQ2BX5W0 .)

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Interview with Jim Bray

How did you get involved in the sport of roller skating?A couple of friends brought me down to the rink and I tried it out. It was kind of hard at first for me.

But I learned pretty quick, I guess. So I kept it up and finally one of the pros at the rink told me to start taking lessons from him. I tried it out and like it a lot. After that is when I started to get into competition.

What's your major event?Senior Men's International. I also skate Artistic Pairs. My Partner is Cathy Hallock. We just started

skating together about 2 months ago. I skated Pairs when I was about 10 years old and I won Elementary 5 years in a row. I quit Pairs because my partner quit skating and I didn't skate that event until two years ago when I started with another girl. We'd skate just for the Gold Skate Classic. I just row skated with Cathy for 2 months before the Gold Skate. We are still skating together because we are going to try for the National meet this year.

What do you feel is your major strength as an artistic skater?A lot of people tell me that showmanship is the big thing in my skating. I can jump really well. I

guess I've done a lot of things that people haven't done before. A lot of jumping things that have been given me a lot of recognition. I've done pretty well.

Do you have a favorite jump?Yeah. The one that no one ever tried before was a Double Uler.

How does that work?Well, you start on your right foot rolling backwards. You jump up in the air and spin 2-and-a-half

times around and then land on your left foot---backwards. You start on the outside edge and end on the inside edge. That's pretty rough! I'm working on other things that everyone else is asking about like triples flips and triple Lutz's. I can do that. I'm working hard on those.

You are strong and your acrobatic skills are strong, too. Do you ever do any gymnastic workouts?When I first started out, I did gymnastics. I'd run every day and I did a lot of other things. I lifted

weights in high school.

I know that you are also a water skier and a football enthusiast. What other sports do you pursue?I'm a snow skier.

Do you find that roller-skating is related to any of the other sports you do in anyway?Just in trying to perfect it and stuff like that. Trying to be the best. Every sport's like that. Trying to

be the best. You've got a goal and you've gotta try to reach it. That's what I do.

Do you find your skiing experience lends any insight to roller-skating or vice versa?Just in balance and coordination. If you can skate halfway decent, you can ski. Like when I first

started out water skiing, I got up on one ski pretty easily. It's just like that in skating. If you can do that, you can do a lot of things.

So you think the balance and coordination you develop helps you with other sports?I think it helps with everything.

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Are sports your primary interest in terms of career?Yeah, they are. I want to be a writer and then I want to own a rink and teach. I want to keep up

skating. But it has to be fun. Once you lose interest, it's all over. I'm never going to do that because I like helping the kids. I coach baseball teams right now for Little League kids. I have fun. That's my occupation. But I want to write.

What type of writing are you interested in?Sports writing. I'd like to go on and travel to different places and see other people. Sports like

skating would be the main thing. Anything else you could learn. It's a big thing. I've had that on my mind ever since I started skating. First I wanted to be the President. Every kid goes through that. But I've always had skating on my mind and it never leaves my blood. It's always been in the family.

You told me you gave up skating for a year a couple of years ago. What was that like for you?I was into other stuff. I did other sports like basketball in junior high. Played football and stuff like

that. I was doing other things so my mind was off skating. As soon as June came along (when the Regionals come), everyone was calling up and asking if I was going quit because I didn't have a way to get to the rink. I couldn't drive then (I wasn't old enough) and my parents couldn't take me. My dad was working all the time. So I never got enough time to do that.

After that year, I learned a lot. I grew up more, developed more, and it helped me. The the next year, it was so much easier to skate. I think it's good sometimes to quit for a while. You have to because it takes too much out of you. It's a strain on your mind sometimes. If you're really dedicated, you've got to give it all you got. But there's got to be some time that you can have a little rest. It's good for you I think.

But you came back to skating.Yeah, I couldn't leave it for very long. You see, I never start skating competitively until about

January. I never skate in October, November, December. There's no way. If I do that, I lose interest. I skate real hard and I practice, practice, practice. Then once you practice and you know you've got everything looking halfway decent, you go and skate at the meet and you're feeling alright.

If you skate all year, you will always go in stages. Every skater does. Even the kids. They'll skate good in September and then they'll come back up and fall down in January. The Gold Skate comes in February and they'll be up. Then they all down again and rise again. It's just that way. I guess you just lose a little interest between competitions. It's good to stay off for a little while.

The Gold Skate Classic sounds like it provides a pretty important part of the winter training -- at least mentally maybe -- for people to have something that fills in those gap months.

Yeah it does. Plus they have contests every month, too. That helps. But it gets boring if you've been skating many years. I don't skate those local contests much anymore. They should have Gold Skate events for every state. They don't know what they're missing! It's too bad they don't.

What does your training consist of? Do you skate every day?When I do start skating, I practice after school about 3:00 to 7:30. You don't get many hours during

the day because they have sessions and all that. So its kinda hard. When Regionals come, what I do usually is come at 6:00AM to practice school figures until about 10:00. That's what I'm going to do this year because I need to practice. It's a big thing to get to the World meet this year.

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Then I practice my freestyle in the afternoon from 3:00 to 7:30. All freestyle. It's really hard training. You've got to keep it up, too, go through routines. My routines are 5 minutes long. That takes a lot out of you, especially when you start jumping. Before I used to come to the rink at 9:00 till 1:00 and then go back from 4:00 to 7:30. Once in a while we'd come back from 10:00 to 12:00. That took a lot out of you. That's for the Regional and National meets. To work yourself and get your stamina up. It takes a lot out of you, especially when you're all up there at the meet.

They have practice days like that and you really get into it. Everybody's watching you and you have to skate good. It takes so much out of you that by the time you skate you're almost ready to call it quits. You've really got to push yourself. And it's hard to do that.

Do you think that's why you fall off during the Autumn months?Yeah, you've got to take a break after it's all over. That's me. I'm a tightrope. As soon as Nationals

are over, it's time to rest for about 5 months.

Do you think a lot of skaters feel that way? That the general activity level in competition goes down and not really too much is going on?

I don't know. A lot of skaters keep it up. There's not many skaters that do what I do. The main skaters I know think it's a must to start early. It it was more of an easy going kind of thing. Like for some skaters, they go out there just to skate, not really to put themselves out. Then it wouldn't really be too bad.

But when I do go skate, I put myself out. A lot of people just take it easy. Then they'll come in and gradually work back up. When I was little, I had it rough because I had a pro that wouldn't let me rest. I took lessons from him or a lot of years and he just pushed me and pushed me and he wouldn't let me just come back in the middle of the year (until I got older and he knew it was time). Then I quit because I couldn't skate for him anymore.

Now I skate for Chris and Rick. It's alright. They help me out a lot. But I guess a lot of kids can't do it like that. Maybe they feel that they can't go back and skate again if they stop for a while or something.

Do you find that you get out of condition during the months you're not skating so much?Yeah.

Are you pursuing other activities at that time which help keep you in condition, too?Yeah, I run and I do a lot of school activities like basketball. I played on the school football team.

With stuff like that, you run and it keeps you in shape. But running alone just doesn't do it. I found that out. It doesn't help you directly. When you skate, you don't use the same breathing, legs. It's a whole different story. You've got those 10-pound skates on, you know, and you've got to lift a little more. It takes a lot out of you.

I you work too hard, too fast. That's when you get he injuries. I've done that a couple of times. I came back 2 weeks before the Regional meet. I didn't skate all year and I really pushed. I decided that I wanted to skate at the last minute. Right after Regionals I sprained my ankle, messed my back up, and stuff like that because I pushed too hard and it took too much out of me.

What type of diet do you follow during training?

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I pack up on vitamins heavily before and during competition season. It's hard work and takes too much out of you if you don't take care of your nutrition. Most important is my own mom's good cooking.

What kind of equipment do you use?I have Snyder skates with Harlick boots. I use my Harlick boots for figures and freestyle too. I also

use Riedell boots. I use Rannalli wheels for freestyle. That's what I stay with. I use those mostly except when the floor's bad. Then I put on two Rannalli and two White Velvets. I use All American Dreams, too. That's what I'm using right now. Two of each because the floor's bad. I usually stay with the Rannallis because that's the better wheel. I think everybody's used that. It's nice, it's fast, and holds together really well.

When you mix wheels like that, what do you do? Put a softer wheel on a certain part of your skate?

Say you have your left skate. On the inside front you put, say, All American Dreams on your spinning wheel and the same on the back on your left outside wheel. Then for the other wheels, you put the Rannallis on. You have to do this on a bad floor. The Rannallis are fast; they're not soft at all. So you put those on to help you get a little more speed. Then you use the other two wheels just for grip when the floor's really bad and slick. It's been harder since they put plastic on the floor. That's why I do that sometimes.

Do you prefer a wood floor?I like wood. I skated on wood for about nine years

and then they changed it about 3-or-4 years ago.

Have you done much experimenting with different types of wheels?Yeah. Mr. Rannalli gives me some wheels and lets me try them out. I tell him is I like them or not.

So I've tried his wheels. The All American Dreams too. I've tried Labedas. I've tried a lot of wheels and the best one is Rannalli. That's my best wheel and I'll stick with that until the floor gets bad and you can't use them. I tried them last year at Nationals and got stuck. So I put the White Velvet wheels on. They were tight. I'm not a slow skater so I need a hard wheel that's fast. It needs to be fast because I skated fast. I need speed. It's the only way I can skate.

You need the speed for momentum, I would think, for some of the jumps that you do.Yeah. I guess some of the other guys went to the White. The floor was like ice. You could have put

your ice skates on and skated on it! I did that and they stood up and I fell. That's the breaks. Maybe they'll fix the floor up. But that's really no excuse because that's the way it goes. I just have to skate better when I get up there this year.

You mentioned that you're friends with Natalie Dunn. How did that come about?We've been friends for a long time.

Did you meet each other through skating?Yeah. I used to take lessons from her dad and mom in Figures for a couple of years. Omar Dunn

really a good teacher and they're all good skaters. I was going to skate up there this year. I was going to move up there. But since my dad passed away, it was kind of hard to go up there and leave my mom at

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this time. So that's what happened. I was going to go up there right after the World meet. I'm going to need the Figures soon. I need a teacher and they're the best Figures teachers around.

'Butch' and I are like brother and sister, I guess. We've talked a lot. We're pretty close 'cause we talk things out. She helps me out with and I help her out. Well, I don't help her so much, mostly she helps me! I always ask her to help me.

Is there a lot of exchange of ideas between skaters? Do you find a lot of your friends are skaters?Yeah. You've gotta relate with your other friends. They help. There's a lot of things that you don't

know and they do. So they can help you a lot there. I've found that out from a lot of friends that I have.

Even though they might be competing against you?Well, there are some people who will help you even though you are skating against them. Then

some people will just despise you. They'll talk about behind you back and then will say something good to your face. So you have to know who your real friends are. I'm glad I have a lot of skating friends, like my closest friends. Friends like 'Butch' [Natalie Dunn] and Donna LaBriola, we've been close. They're girls. But they're my best friends in skating. They always help me out. They always do things for me. I've never had to ask. They just do things for me all the time. It's neat.

Who are the skaters you most admire?For the women it's Natalie. Not just because she's a champion. But as a person, she's a great. I

admire her as a lady. The male skater I admire the most is Michael Jacques. He's from a long time ago. I used to watch him all the time and he was my idol. He still is. I'll never forget how he used to skate. He might be jumping sideways and still land right. I always wanted to be like him. There there's Toller Cranston. He's an ice skater. I like his show. He makes every routine. He goes out and puts himself out. They're two different styles. If you put them together, just think what you'd have. I'm trying to work and make myself look halfway like them

You seem to be really interested in the expressive aspect of skating as opposed to just technical proficiency in doing maneuvers. That's something that's really important with showmanship and maybe one of the reasons why you're strong in that. You do bring a whole interpretation to a number rather than just going through moves. There's a certain aspect of your personality that you put into your skating.

There are a lot of skaters who put themselves out and that's why they're good. They go out there and really put themselves out with the music and the content (jumping and all). But some people just have problems. When they mess up in the content, they blow their attitude towards their routine. I don't do that much. But sometimes it happens. I'll be skating badly and have problems in my routine.

But you know, when you get out on that floor you can't quit. Even when you mess up, you've got to put yourself out. It helps out sometimes if you get the crowd going. I've worked a lot on that kind of stuff. With my content, there's a lot of things I've done that nobody else has ever done. When we were warming up in Nationals last year, I had the crowd. It felt good because they were cheering for me. I'd do things that we're really hard and they really expressed how they felt about it.

Do you think you get more pumped up getting in front of a crowd?Yeah. I've got to have people there. If I don't have anyone there, I feel like I'm sleeping. If you go

and maybe have a hundred people at a contest, you're ready to go to sleep. I know I am that way and it's how a lot of skaters are. A lot of the skaters, if they don't have a crowd, they won't skate. I know that's true with a lot of my friends that I used to skate with.

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You're skating for the crowd rather than against the other skater?

I want to beat the others. If I skate my best, I have a chance of beating them. But I skate for the crowd mostly so that they can see me. It means if I skate good, I have a good chance of beating them. I don't worry about them (the other skaters). That's all that counts. You've just got to work real hard to do those kinds of things.

Do you think maybe you're testing yourself against your own standards more than against other skaters, or do you pay a lot of attention to what they are doing and compare yourself to them?

When I skate, I skate for myself. Beating myself. I don't try to skate against them so much. When I see them skating, I tell myself "He looks pretty good." I think he might beat me and if we skate together, we don't know. So I've gotta watch them too. I don't let that out of my mind. But mostly I just think about myself.

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http://www.rollerskating.com/pages/achievement/16

RSA Roller Skating Achievement Program

RSA Roller Skating Achievement Tests (originally called the RSROA Proficiency Tests) were established in 1939 to provide incentives for skaters to increase their skating skills without the pressure of competition. These tests offer skaters attainable goals. Winning a test award is something of which to be proud and encourages skaters to advance further in developing their roller skating skills.

There is a separate sequence of tests for each of the 12 skating categories: American Team Dance, American Solo Dance, International Team Dance, International Solo Dance, Circle Figures, Loop Figures, Freestyle Skating, In-Line Freestyle Skating, Roller Hockey, Quad Speed Skating, In-line Speed Skating, plus a Beginners test called the "Super Skater Test".

Each sequence includes beginner tests in which skaters earn Bronze lapel pins (traditionally referred to as “medals”). These skaters may then advance to the intermediate tests earning Silver lapel pins. Then on to the advanced tests earning Gold lapel pins.

After all the pins in a series have been earned, the skater may take a final test for the Gold Medal in the category. The final Gold Medal in each category is an Olympic-style medallion engraved with the winner’s name and year in which the test was passed. The medals are finely crafted and strung on a ribbon which can be worn with pride by any skater.

http://www.rollerskating.com/pages/skaters+to+new+heights/90

Achievement Program - Taking Skaters to New Heights

Does Your Rink hold Test Centers?

The RSA’s Achievement Test program is the only non-competitive test program for roller skaters and provides an outline for molding students into skillful skaters. By following the test procedure, skaters advance to new levels without the stress of competition. There is no better way to start a skater than with the Achievement Test Program. This is because the tests follow a natural progression and are designed in a logical pattern. Coaches don’t have to worry about forgetting to teach skaters various maneuvers if the steps are followed.

Pat Jacques (the 1997 SRSTA Coach of the Year ) of Roller King in Roseville, Calif. states:

“One good way to promote skating classes is to let session people come in early and catch the end of a private class. They’ll applaud which makes your students feel good. And they’ll ask questions about how they can learn to do what the students are doing.

"Another way to attract this kind of attention is to allow your class skaters to practice in the middle of the rink during public skating sessions. And another way to promote your classes is to post pictures and articles of award-winning skaters throughout the rink.”

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Create a system to make your classes progress in a manner that correlates with the progression of the Achievement Tests. Roller King offers a variety of class types including Tiny Tot, Beginner, Bronze, Silver and Gold classes.

Jacques says that the decision to start testing a skater in freestyle must be made on an individual basis. A skater’s readiness for Freestyle depends on the skater, not the skater’s age or ability.

“When it’s time to take the tests, skaters don’t have to worry about losing or being judged unfairly. They’re competing against themselves and judges know exactly what they’re looking for. Achievement Tests are the fairest way to evaluate a skater,” says Jacques. “It’s a pass-or-fail system. There’s no room for biased judging.”

For roller skating coaches, accepting the challenge of creating skaters is the key to longevity. However, coaches can’t toss beginning skaters into competition and expect them to survive. They must first establish a foundation on which each skater can build.

The RSA Achievement Test Program is a successful tool used to transform beginning skaters into powerful competitors. Many skaters choose to participate in the program because it allows them to be involved in the sport without the pressures of competition. However, other test candidates use it to establish sound skating backgrounds before entering competition.

Achievement Tests build strong basic skating skills, physically as well as mentally and enable skaters to begin successful and meaningful careers. The RSA Achievement Tests (originally called the RSROS Proficiency Tests) were established more than 40 years ago to provide incentives for skaters to increase their skating skills. If you’re looking for a new program to attract skaters, try growing your business through a ready-made program that benefits skaters, coaches, and your bottom line.

For more information or to request an achievement test information packet, email: achievement@rollerskating.com .

Information on specific achievement tests and fees is at http://www.rollerskating.com/pages/bookletsrequirements/39 .

The Top RSA Achievement Program Test Centers and their corresponding test totals are published on the RSA website (http://www.rollerskating.com ) and in the RSA Today e-newsletter. The top RSA Achievement Program Test Center award is presented annually to the skating center which administers the most achievement tests from June 1-May 31. This distinguished honor is awarded at the USARS National Championships each year => http://www.rollerskating.com/pages/top+test+counts/42

How to take an RSA Achievement Test (Advanced Skaters)

Who can take an Achievement Test?

RSA Roller Skating Achievement Tests may be taken by anyone without regard to their status as a recreational skater, amateur skater, professional instructor, rink operator, or official. There are no membership requirements or restrictions. Skaters need not be members of the Roller Skating Associations, the United States Amateur Roller Sports (USARS), or any other national organization,

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local group, or club. The USARS has authorized that Achievement Tests may be skated by an amateur with another amateur or professional without violating the Rules of Amateur Status. An Achievement Test Center does not require a USARS sanction. There are no age restrictions for taking these tests.

Where can you take an RSA Achievement test?

Achievement Tests may be skated only at RSA member roller skating centers unless advance written permission is granted by the RSA President or Executive Director and the SRSTA Chair to conduct an Achievement Test at another site. All skater tests forms must be signed by an RSA member Judge except for the Super Skater class tests. This is to verify the technical aspects of the test are skated. Forms should be verified and submitted by the Achievement Test Center Director along with fees collected.

How to arrange to take an Achievement Test

In most cases, Achievement Tests are given during a specially organized test center. The skating center operator, teacher, coach, or judges panel chairman will establish a time for the test center. This person (called the test center director) will make the necessary arrangements which include scheduling of the tests, contacting and confirming all of the judges and officials, preparing the test forms and applications, collecting the appropriate fees from each skater and sending the original applications and necessary forms to the RSA National Office within 10 days of the test center.

All the necessary applications and forms are available from the RSA National Office upon request. Please note that the test center is held through the courtesy of the rink operator. Please show every consideration in arranging the test center by beginning and ending on time.

Skaters who have successfully completed their tests will be awarded Achievement Test pins. The pins are sent in care of the skater's home rink (the rink where they took their classes or lessons) or to the rink where the test center was conducted.

Should a skater fail a test, the fees are forfeited and the full test fee must be paid again to re-skate the test. A skater who fails a test must wait at least 30 days before retaking the test except for the Gold Medal tests. A skater who fails a Gold Medal Test is not required to wait 30 days to retake that test. But the re-skate cannot be taken at the same Gold Medal test center.

RSA Achievement Program Booklets

These Program Booklets have test requirements, Judge commissions requirements, test fees, and other pertinent information to reference for the RSA Achievement Programs.

RSA Achievement Program Booklets

Download the Achievement Program Booklet (http://web.rollerskating.com/External/WCPages/WCWebContent/WebContentPage.aspx?

ContentID=338)

-OR- Download the Speed Program Booklet (http://www.rollerskating.com/files_uploaded/9e18f42c02b16297640f9b1ab7bd5222.pdf )

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Achievement Test Fees

Use the Achievement Test Fees Chart to determine fees associated with the Test Program.Download the Achievement Test Fees Chart

(http://www.rollerskating.com/files_uploaded/2b88fcd65db67a74d813723bd5857a45.pdf )

Achievement Program Forms

● Achievement Test Director Checklist (http://www.rollerskating.com/files_uploaded/2ae43203828d9a6538f2acf8b1b2058e.pdf )

● Summary of Achievement Test Form(http://www.rollerskating.com/files_uploaded/c55ab9e73a44dc819dfa5ae541f3188f.pdf )

● Artistic Form for Single Test per Skater(http://www.rollerskating.com/files_uploaded/b4917b90e3eb8ab491f5434b0a6b7303.pdf )

● Artistic Single Skaters 3 Part Form(http://web.rollerskating.com/External/WCPages/WCWebContent/WebContentPage.aspx?

ContentID=338 )

● Speed Form for Single Test per Skater (http://www.rollerskating.com/files_uploaded/9812e9723e4b857133462d6509eabd97.pdf )

● Speed Form for Multiple Tests per Skater(http://www.rollerskating.com/files_uploaded/4c4d379c09fd488004bc3ceb48a044b4.pdf )

● Judges Scoring Form for Single Test per Skater(http://www.rollerskating.com/files_uploaded/2fcbc9febf69cbcee7ccc86de34b6840.pdf )

● Judges Roster Form(http://www.rollerskating.com/files_uploaded/d33dd79b08332c39a2dfe4589811ae50.pdf )

● Coaches Test Summary Form(http://www.rollerskating.com/files_uploaded/7ed6ed0f61668997f6a36e1776a45404.pdf )

Quick Guides to explain the new Test Forms:

● Artistic Test Form QUICK GUIDE (http://www.rollerskating.com/files_uploaded/abe4f02ef177951c8d7034062735697f.pdf )

● Judges Scoring Form QUICK GUIDE(http://www.rollerskating.com/files_uploaded/6083da54f5948a7508d7555bbc57a5a1.pdf )

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Gold Medal Test Information and Forms:

● Gold Medal Test Center Information(http://www.rollerskating.com/files_uploaded/9df8fb1727fe68b084b982dd6803386d.pdf )

● Gold Medal Test Center Director Checklist(http://www.rollerskating.com/files_uploaded/30b5cfcbcb4cf2fea6b58f5f16e34cb7.pdf )

● Gold Medalist - Medal Information Form(http://www.rollerskating.com/files_uploaded/6b6f1774c4ddbae013944a8c8f8dfa8e.pdf )

http://www.rollerskating.com/pages/coaches+membership/87

Becoming a SRSTA Coach / Instructor

The Roller Skating Association thanks you for your interest in the SRSTA membership program. The SRSTA established in 1940 is composed of roller skating coaches and instructors of all skating disciplines: artistic, speed and hockey. These members are dedicated to advance the profession of roller skating instruction within skating facilities with the purpose of teaching beginning skating, encouraging growth in their skating discipline, and coaching advanced skaters in the competitive USARS nationals.

SRSTA members utilize the RSA Achievement Program as a training tool for athletes as it coincides with competition requirements. This program uses a non-competitive learning atmosphere to create frequent skaters; encourages skaters to advance their skills using the proper skating techniques; and provides testing for all disciplines of skaters, both recreational and competitive.

Check out our membership types below. Once you determine which discipline you would like to apply for, submit the application with yearly dues to the RSA National Office.

SRSTA Membership Types

There are various membership types available.

LTS - Learn to Skate TeachersThis membership is geared to help promote skating classes and get students in the door. Yearly

membership fee of $40.

ACA - Artistic Coaches AssociationThis membership focuses on the artistic discipline of roller skating. Coaches who focus on dance,

figures, and freestyle. (Please note this use to be listed as SRSTA membership). Yearly membership fee of $40

SCA - Speed Coaches AssociationThis membership focuses on the speed discipline of roller skating. Coaches who focus on quad or

inline speed. Yearly membership fee of $40.

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RHCA - Roller Hockey Coaches AssociationThis membership focuses on the Roller Hockey discipline of roller skating. Coaches who focus on

roller hockey. Yearly membership fee of $40.

SRSTA Membership Application (ACA, SCA and RHCA members only)New applicants or those whose membership has lapsed will need to fill out the Membership

Application. Ensure you get the rink operators signature and submit with membership fee.

We must receive your application for anyone who wishes to have their membership continued. This includes Life Time Members.

SRSTA Membership ApplicationAll Forms should be mailed to:

RSAAttn: SRSTA6905 Corporate DriveIndianapolis, IN 46278

http://www.inlinehockeyassociation.com/coachesInLine Hockey Association Coaches Membership Form

(https://cdn2.sportngin.com/attachments/document/0146/0738/IHA_Coach_Membership_Form_fields.pdf_-_Adobe_Acrobat_Pro.pdf )

RSA Judges Manual

Designed for people wanting to become a commissioned RSA Judge or to upgrade their current commissions, the RSA Judges Manual contains study guides and sample tests for each commission level for American Dance, Figures, Freestyle and International Dance. The information is organized so that new candidates can study together or a candidate can study independently.

● A hard copy of the complete RSA Judges Manual can be obtained from the RSA office for $45.00 (plus shipping). The manual includes all study guides for every discipline.

● A hard copy of an individual discipline study guide can be obtained from the RSA office for $15.00 (plus shipping). The individual study guide will be for only one discipline/level.

● All study guides can also be obtained by downloading the files from the Study Guide Section on the website.

RSA Commission Study Guides

American Dance Study Guides

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● #1 American Dance Study Guide (#1)(http://www.rollerskating.com/files_uploaded/68920572734c425b9c1524bd5388e761.pdf )

● #2 American Dance Study Guide (#2)(http://www.rollerskating.com/files_uploaded/857f22dc5534801dbcc4d4a814396d63.pdf )

● #3 American Dance Study Guide (#3)(http://www.rollerskating.com/files_uploaded/75287240a64fb911ba302ccb8130b34f.pdf )

● #4 American Dance Study Guide (#4)(http://www.rollerskating.com/files_uploaded/c353054bc1e227767d15f148bd5d0ba7.pdf )

International Dance Study Guides

● #1 International Dance Study Guide (#1)(http://www.rollerskating.com/files_uploaded/56aa41890ead38e7cef01734fa22eaf0.pdf )

● #2 International Dance Study Guide (#2)(http://www.rollerskating.com/files_uploaded/8e388ed110585c7227fe5291c55130e7.pdf )

● #3 International Dance Study Guide (#3)(http://www.rollerskating.com/files_uploaded/d2849ec781f2b0308c64609509b8b484.pdf )

● #4 International Dance Study Guide (#4)(http://www.rollerskating.com/files_uploaded/a87da2e2341ce13241b3efc46fb8636a.pdf )

Figures Study GuidesCircle & Loop

● #1 Figures Study Guide (#1)(http://www.rollerskating.com/files_uploaded/a5cd40d17ad1c160313d1086112012d8.pdf )

● #2 Figures Study Guide (#2)(http://www.rollerskating.com/files_uploaded/ff52f67293beb38da4794205227fe206.pdf )

● #3 Figures Study Guide (#3)(http://www.rollerskating.com/files_uploaded/4e364a99ce122f4c7c29c5796258a598.pdf )

● #4 Figures Study Guide (#4)(http://www.rollerskating.com/files_uploaded/103e929fb651deff1ac0b388760b348c.pdf )

Freestyle Study GuidesQuad & In-Line

● #1 Freestyle Study Guide (#1)(http://www.rollerskating.com/files_uploaded/52ca36d7763aed803b6bc3c80b9b8595.pdf )

● #2 Freestyle Study Guide (#2)(http://www.rollerskating.com/files_uploaded/5e73568aa693665397e98735f04fe5ae.pdf )

● #3 Freestyle Study Guide (#3)(http://www.rollerskating.com/files_uploaded/94eda3c75957a4e71c3f81f454e3fec4.pd f )

● #4 Freestyle Study Guide (#4)(http://www.rollerskating.com/files_uploaded/6df15ff1f82c03abe574490c768dc5a2.pdf )

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Speed Study GuidesQuad & In-Line

● #1 Speed Study Guide (#1)(http://www.rollerskating.com/files_uploaded/ef8fa02c593efa214a7dd5a572edb52e.pdf )

● #2 Speed Study Guide (#2)(http://www.rollerskating.com/files_uploaded/d0973f233a0119096f4d7a59ca6bfb98.pdf )

Final Commission Tests

Once the study guide has been completed, applicants will need to take the "Final Commission Test" to obtain their commission in that discipline/level. RSA Final Judge Commission Tests must be requested through the RSA National Office by application.

Applications for judge commissions may be downloaded from the website or requested through the RSA National Office. The candidate will complete the application and submit it to the panel chairperson or advisor (along with a $10.00 administration fee per test requested). The panel chairperson or advisor will verify the contents of the application and certify the candidate has completed the prescribed course of study for the commission by signing the application.

The panel officer will send the application to the RSA National Office with the $10 admin fee per test, and the proper examination will be issued. The applicant will have 30 days from the issue date of the test to return the completed exam to the RSA National Office. All tests are CLOSED book exams and must by administered by the panel chairperson and/or advisor.

Applicants must be current with their yearly RSA Judge Commissions Registration to update their commissions. New applicants will need to pay their $4 registration fee prior to receiving their commissions card upon passing the final commission test.

As of January, 1996, a candidate may apply for more than one commission at a time. The candidate cannot apply for more than one commission in the same discipline (ex. No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3 American Team & Solo Dance test at one given time).

Judge Final Commissions Test Application(http://www.rollerskating.com/files_uploaded/2fc17d8a34f1fe99e4d034dc52809695.pdf )

RSA Judges Commission Registration

RSA Judges pay a $4.00 commission registration fee annually. RSA Judge commissions expire yearly on June 1.

All current SRSTA, SCA and RHCA members will have their commission registration fee included in their coach membership fee. Given the coach's membership lapses, the coach's judges commissions will lapse. When rejoining, the coach will have to register those commissions again. If the membership lapse is more than three (3) years, the coach may be required to retake prior commission tests.

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Once an RSA Judge is registered, a $10.00 service fee is charged to process each commission test whether the person requesting the commission test is a current member of the coaching association (SRSTA, SCA & RHCA) or an amateur. The service fee covers paperwork, postage and administrative handling of the tests which are scored offsite. The fee also covers administrative costs to process RSA Judge Commission cards and updating the website.

Once an RSA Judge, Coach or amateur has earned three (3) number 4 commissions in any discipline (American Dance, Figures, Freestyle, International Dance or Speed) a Lifetime Judge's Commission card is issued and the recipient will no longer be required to pay a commission registration fee.

The RSA appreciates and thanks to all of our judges for their many contributions to our sport of roller skating.

Judge Commissions Registration(http://www.rollerskating.com/files_uploaded/6b9ca5bf0f2048b2745eda742bd2c406.pdf )

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Competition Roller-Skating

It may be surprising to some but there is much more to roller-skating than roller derby. What they have in common is that both sports need a good surface to practice on. Many roller rinks have gone the way of swimming pool diving boards and are out-of-business. (Now you know why the U.S. doesn't don't have any Olympic diving medals. How can one practice with no boards.)

Roller-skating has the same competition tests as Ice-skating. The latter made it as an Olympic sport whereas the former has national championships in various countries as well as the Pan-American Games.

Skate magazine reports roller-skating competition and test results. It used to be mailed to subscribers in the 1980s but now is only published electronically (which means you have to download it).

Following are some excerpts:

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Some of the bigger rinks have equipment that minimizes falling and injury while attempting difficult stunts ...

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The following are samples from the Official Manuals for skating tests ...

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if on the Internet, Press <BACK> on your browser to return to the previous page (or go to www.stealthskater.com)

else if accessing these files from the CD in a MS-Word session, simply <CLOSE> this file's window-session; the previous window-session should still remain 'active'

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