This book has been prepared for the beginner who wants to take up the sport of roller skating and for the more experienced skater who desires to increase his knowledge of and proficiency in the sport. It covers the funda­mentals of four branches of roller skating—figure, dance, freestyle, and speed—as well as basic forward and backward skating technique.

If a skater is to have an easy flow to his skating he must learn how to generate speed on all edges, how to control and maintain proper lean, and how to turn. These rudiments are learned through skating figure eights or, in roller-skating parlance, circles. To this end the author has included in the chapter on figure skating detailed explanations (keyed to diagrams on which are superimposed skaters demonstrating movements in proper positions on the circles) of eleven basic figures. These figures were se­lected from the forty-one School Figures which are skated in state, national, regional, and international competitions on both ice and rollers. In each of the eleven foundation figures, instructions are given for the start, push-off, and execution. From a knowledge of how to skate the elementary school figures, the skater will become familiar with the four curves or edges, the different body positions, and the basic turns.

Once a novice can gracefully apply the skating fundamentals to music, he will want to try dance skating, the most popular of the branches of roller skating. The first four dances in the chapter on dance skating require no turns, and are appropriate for an elementary skater. Those who can negotiate turns will find the next four dances comparatively easy to learn. Advanced skaters will recognize the last four as traditional or classical dances which are performed by many devotees of the sport all over the world. The author believes that beginning, intermediate, and advanced skaters will find the dance material interesting and challenging.

A pattern indicating the placement of steps, the music beats for each stroke, and the aim of each stroke is included for each of the dances. Ac­companying the pattern is a dance description, which explains the man's and lady's parts in the execution of the various steps, and a stroke chart, which should be helpful as a memory aid.

Those who enjoy freestyle skating, the branch with the greatest indi­vidual challenge, will find details regarding spins, jumps, and interpretive footwork in the chapter on freestyle skating, as well as tips on music, item presentation, and costuming for a free-skating program.

The book concludes with pointers for the speed-skating aspirant, with emphasis especially on racing technique and speed-skating equipment.

It is the author's hope that, through the photographs, diagrams, and detailed explanations of skating techniques and strokes in this book, every roller-skating enthusiast will be assisted in learning and mastering all four branches of this healthy and absorbing pastime and sport.

Grateful acknowledgment is extended to Joseph F. Shevelson of the Roller Skating Foundation of America for preparing the Foreword; to the Roller Skating Rink Operators Association of America for permission to use photographs, taken by Sam Schulman of Prestige Photos, New York City, of RSROA National and World Senior Dance Champions Claire Farrell and Charles Wahlig; to Miss Farrell and Mr. Wahlig for posing for the pictures; and to Norman Pomerantz for drawing the patterns for the school figures and dances and preparing the other diagrams.

Edward R. O'Neill

Massapequa, New York April, 1960

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