Jam skating
Encyclopedia
Jam skating is a combination of dance
, gymnastics
, and skating, performed on roller skates. The style of skating has its roots in traditional roller disco, but has been influenced by breakdancing, artistic skating, gymnastics, and modern dance
. Successful jamskaters are well practiced in these different forms and must have the ability to translate these movements while on skates.
Jamskating is neither aggressive nor speed skating
. This form of freestyle skating is referred to by many different names: toe-dancing, spot-skating, shuffle skating, hexing, rexxing, trucking, shadow skating, crazy leg, boogie bouncing, and disco skating. These names strictly describe the style of skating, not the moves.
In September 2001, the World Skating Association (WSA) became the sanctioning body of jamskating. The WSA was formed to host well organized, skater-oriented events world wide.
Dance
Dance is an art form that generally refers to movement of the body, usually rhythmic and to music, used as a form of expression, social interaction or presented in a spiritual or performance setting....
, gymnastics
Gymnastics
Gymnastics is a sport involving performance of exercises requiring physical strength, flexibility, agility, coordination, and balance. Internationally, all of the gymnastic sports are governed by the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique with each country having its own national governing body...
, and skating, performed on roller skates. The style of skating has its roots in traditional roller disco, but has been influenced by breakdancing, artistic skating, gymnastics, and modern dance
Modern dance
Modern dance is a dance form developed in the early 20th century. Although the term Modern dance has also been applied to a category of 20th Century ballroom dances, Modern dance as a term usually refers to 20th century concert dance.-Intro:...
. Successful jamskaters are well practiced in these different forms and must have the ability to translate these movements while on skates.
Jamskating is neither aggressive nor speed skating
Speed skating
Speed skating, or speedskating is a competitive form of ice skating in which the competitors race each other in traveling a certain distance on skates. Types of speed skating are long track speed skating, short track speed skating, and marathon speed skating...
. This form of freestyle skating is referred to by many different names: toe-dancing, spot-skating, shuffle skating, hexing, rexxing, trucking, shadow skating, crazy leg, boogie bouncing, and disco skating. These names strictly describe the style of skating, not the moves.
In September 2001, the World Skating Association (WSA) became the sanctioning body of jamskating. The WSA was formed to host well organized, skater-oriented events world wide.
Skating equipment
Traditionally, roller disco skaters wore an artistic high-cut boot with toe stop. In the early 80s, this transitioned into a trend of wearing low-cut speed skate boots with dance plugs in place of the toe stops. This trend continues today, as the low-cut boot allows for more agility with feet while skating.Film
- The 2005 film Roll BounceRoll BounceRoll Bounce is a 2005 American comedy-drama film written by Norman Vance Jr. and directed by Malcolm D. Lee. The film stars hip hop artist Bow Wow as the leader of a roller skating crew in 1970s Chicago. The film also stars Nick Cannon, Meagan Good, Brandon T...
prominently featured jamskating, along with some well-known skaters within the jamskating community. - The 2006 film ATLATL (film)ATL is a 2006 American drama film, and the feature film directorial debut of music video director Chris Robinson. The screenplay was written by Tina Gordon Chism from an original story by Antwone Fisher, and is loosely based on the experiences of the film's producers Dallas Austin and Tionne...
was centered around a skating rink in Atlanta, GA.
Music
Jamskating was featured in multiple music videos.- "Disease" by Matchbox 20.
- "My Shoes" by Murphy LeeMurphy LeeTorhi Harper , better known by his stage name Murphy Lee, is a Grammy Award-winning American rapper, best known as a member of the hip hop group St. Lunatics. Lee is also the chief executive of his own label, U C Me Entertainment.-Career:Murphy Lee formed the St...
.
Television
- Jamskating gained some mainstream popularity when Shannon Anthony, Diamond Walker, Tony Zane, Jessy Nice, and Jordan McQuiston of Team Breaksk8 made it to the top 4 on America's Best Dance CrewAmerica's Best Dance Crew (Season 1)The first season of America's Best Dance Crew premiered on February 7, 2008. In the first season, it was hosted by Mario Lopez and featured Layla Kayleigh as the backstage correspondent and was judged by rapper Lil Mama, former *NSYNC singer JC Chasez, and hip-hop choreographer Shane Sparks...
(Season 1). - The Apple iPod commercial, featuring the song "Feel Good, Inc." by GorillazGorillazGorillaz is an English musical project created in 1998 by Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett. This project consists of Gorillaz music itself and an extensive fictional universe depicting a "virtual band" of cartoon characters...
.
External links
- World Skating Association / WSAJam.com - a jam skating sanctioning body, member association and event organization
- http://www.learntojamskate.net/
- JamskatingOnline - Internet forum, picture and photo database.