Teachings

Skate Moves

The creation of the Wizard frames in 2014 sparked a newfound interest towards the movement possibilities on in-line skates with longer rockered frames (Wizard Skating).

The early documentation and development of these movements can be found in the Skate Moves series edits filmed during 2015-2016 in Vancouver, Canada.

The knowledge gained from filming these edits and practicing these movements has led to further development of the equipment (the PR frames) and the following teaching methodology.

Teachings developed by Colin and Leon.

Illustrations by Jeferson Herculano.

Stage One - Predator and Predator One

The Predator stance is foundational to all Wizard Skating moves and teachings. The Predator is the "ready" position while rolling in a straight line.

The Predator stance can be performed on one or two feet, rolling forwards or backwards, on the left or right foot, creating 8 variations (4 on one foot and 4 on two feet).

The weight distribution principles (wheels and leg highlighted in white) will optimize the glide and help maintain balance while rolling.

The weight is always positioned opposite to the direction of movement (towards the back of the skate when rolling forwards or towards the front of the skate when rolling backwards).

In all cases, one of the feet will be the supporting foot* and the other foot will be the guiding foot**.

*Supporting foot - Supports most of the body weight when rolling on two feet (highlighted in white) or all the body weight when rolling on one foot.

**Guiding foot - The leading foot, positioned ahead of the body in the direction of movement, when rolling on two feet or the lifted leg when rolling on one foot.

Position: Skates and knees are shoulder-width apart, wheels on centre edge (no edge), legs scissored (one ahead of the other), knees bent, straight-back posture, eyes in the direction of movement.

Predator (Two Feet Stance)

Predator One (one foot stance)

Stage Two - Parallels and Trees

The Parallels (two feet turns) and the Trees (one foot turns) use all the same principles from stage one (Predator and Predator One) while carving around an imaginary semicircle (half-circle) shape.

These turns can be performed in an open* or closed** position, while rolling forwards or backwards, turning left or right, creating 16 variations (8 Parallels and 8 Trees).

*Open turn - From Predator position, the knees are moving away from each other when turning. (For example from a Front Predator with left foot guiding, turning to the left).

**Closed turn - From the same Front Predator position (with left foot guiding), the knees are moving towards each other (but not crossing over) when turning to the right. (A crossover will be an example of an extended closed position).

Position: Skates and knees are shoulder-width apart, wheels on corresponding edges (when turning on two feet) or on one edge (inside or outside) when turning on one foot, legs scissored (one ahead of the other), knees bent, straight-back posture, eyes towards the centre of the circle (when rolling forwards) or over the shoulder in the direction of movement (when rolling backwards).

Parallel (Two Feet Turns)

Tree (One Foot Turns)

Stage Three - Gazelles and Lions

The Gazelles (two feet transitions) and Lions (one foot transitions) use all the same principles from stage one (Predator stance) and are formed from a combination of 2 corresponding turns (2 open or 2 closed Parallels, or 2 open or 2 closed Trees) from stage two.

For example: the Back Open Gazelle is a combination of the Back Open Parallel and a Front Open Parallel.

These transitions can be performed in an open or closed orientation, while rolling forwards or backwards, turning left or right, creating 16 variations (8 Gazelles and 8 Lions).

Each variation of these transitions follows the same imaginary arc of a semicircle (like stage two) with the addition of the number 3 shape pattern going in and back to the arc in the climax* of the transition.

*Climax - The transition between the centre 2 figures on each drawing.

Changes during Climax:
- Direction change (front to back, or back to front)
- Weight shift (toes to heels, or heels to toes)
- Edge switch (outside to inside, or inside to outside)

Entering the Climax:
- Sharp turn into the arc (slowing down the movement)
- Knees compress (getting low)
- Skates get "sucked in" under the body (feeling "charged" with energy)

Exiting from Climax:
- Skates get "pushed out" from under the body (releasing the "charged" energy)
- Knees spring up (extending from the sitting position)
- Sharp turn back into the arc (accelerating the movement)

Key Principles:
1. Contact - Maintain full contact between the wheels and the ground (not lifting off) throughout the entire transition (especially the climax).
2. Form - Maintain the same orientation (open or closed) throughout the entire arc (before and after the climax).
3. Timing - The climax of the transition requires precise timing of all the physical changes mentioned above.

Tip: For one foot transitions (Lions), the guiding foot (lifted foot) requires more engagement to generate momentum and help the supporting foot initiate the transition (especially for the Back Closed or Open Lions).