Roller dance and rhythm skating is a skate style that’s been around for a long time, but if you’re just discovering it, we’ve got some advice to help you learn and continue to progress towards your dance skating goals.
Roller dance has become a big part of the RollerFit program since we added it to the mix back in 2016. We’ve run roller dance events, brought out international coaches to Australia and run classes weekly across multiple locations. Our team are constantly developing their own skills, learning from each other and skilled coaches and the many unique styles from around the world. We asked our dance coaches to give us their top tips for rhythm skaters and these 3 kept popping up each time.
1. MIX IT UP
You might have your go-to moves, music genre and style and that’s great! But do you know what really helps to challenge and push you? Mixing it up every now and again to use these moves in new ways, with different accents and emphasis. That means listening and dancing to music you might normally skip past, doing choreography that’s not your usual style, or going to a class that’s taught by a different coach. Shake things up and get outside your comfort zone to push yourself, learn new things and spark some inspiration.
2. GOAL SETTING
There are so many dance skills to learn and endless combinations to play around with, but sometimes this can be overwhelming. Set some goals for specific skills you want to nail or refine so when you go to lace up you have something concrete to work towards. To help stay on track with your goals we recommend that you regularly train solo. That’s right, chuck on those headphones and drill it till you kill it (with zero distractions). If you need help to stay accountable and practice, go to a class. Classes have a specific goal for each session whether that be a particular skill, combo or choreography. This way it feels like you’re ticking things off whilst learning new things to add to your next session or goals list.
3. IT'S ALL ABOUT THE FOUNDATIONS
There’s no denying that roller dance skills require a strong skating foundation. You need to be proficient in the basics of rolling forwards and backwards, turning in both directions and holding a single leg balance whilst stationary and in motion. When taking it up a notch you need to be comfortable with balancing on heel and toe wheels, jumping and spinning both ways. Most of all you want to understand and be able to utilise your edges, all 8 of them. All these fundamental skills make for better roller dance technique, which then translates into being able to add your style and flair because you are confident in your abilities.
If you’re looking to up your roller dance and rhythm skating game, check out a RollerFit Roller Dance class near you or head to a regular RollerFit class to nail those foundations. Don’t have a RollerFit near you? Stay tuned for our next event.
