You’ve probably seen jam skaters doing their thing if you’ve hung out at Rainbow Skateland or another skating rink for any amount of time. Jam skating is a type of roller skating that combines dance skating with breakdancing and gymnastics moves. Whether performing a choreographed routine or just grooving to the music, jam skaters are definitely the center of attention when they hit the skating rink!
If you’ve got your own jam skates and want to get into the hobby, these are some of the best jam skating moves to start off your repertoire.
Jam Skating Moves
The Crab Walk
Start with your heels together, forming a “V” shape. Lift up your right heel while keeping the front of your foot on the floor, and swing your heel to the outside. You’ll want to transfer your balance to that toe. Next, pivot on your left heel, swinging your toe to the inside. Basically, you’re flipping the “V” from heels in, toes out to toes in, heels out.
Next, pivot on your right heel, swinging your toe outward, and pivot on your left toe, swinging your heel inward. This will get you back into the original “V” position, but slightly to the right of where you started. Sounds complicated, but keep going! Keep practicing pivoting to each position until you’ve found the rhythm and can flow with it. Once you’ve got that down pat, try going the other way.
Crazy Legs aka Toe Jam
This is one of the coolest moves you may have seen jam skaters performing at the skating rink, and it’s one of the most fun moves to use when you just want to flow and vibe to the beat of the music. To get started, position yourself next to a wall or even your kitchen counter so you can brace yourself with your arms while learning the elements of the move. And remember, before doing this move (and most jam skating moves) you should replace your toe stops with toe plugs. Otherwise you’re going to be tripping over them!
- Start in a neutral position, toes pointed slightly outward, knees slightly bent.
- Move your right leg back, twisting your thigh inward and keeping just your toe wheels on the floor.
- Move that leg back to your starting position, while going up on the toes of your left skate as well. As your right leg comes back even with the left, pivot both toes outward by turning your thighs outward.
- Continue bringing the right foot forward, transitioning onto all four wheels, while pulling your left foot back in the same movement as you did with the right foot before, twisting the thigh in.
- Practice going back and forth in this “S” pattern until you can easily flow from one foot to the other. As you get the hang of it, you can gradually pick up the speed.
If you’re more of a visual learner, it might help to watch this move in action. Check out this how-to video to learn from a pro!
Practice makes perfect, so join us for one of our public skating sessions and jam out.
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