Ice skating is known for having a slow-ish learning curve, in the sense that it usually takes days for someone to be proficient at a beginner’s level. Though it has a reputation for being a little tricky to learn, many people believe that there is a good way to predict whether someone will be a “natural” at it. That method, of course, is to see if they used to be an roller skater.
It’s generally accepted that having a background in roller skating will help you become a more proficient ice skater. Since the two sports require similar muscle memory, many professional roller skaters choose to go to their local ice rink in the wintertime as a way to keep their skills sharp.
Ice skating and roller skating are, at first glance, noticeably similar. They both involve gliding across a smooth surface while balancing on something that makes propulsion easier. They also feature similar tricks as well as similar activities. It’s easy to see why a lot of people who ice skate also roller skate, too.
But, does it actually help with ice skating? Here’s the science behind the belief, plus what you should know if you decide to try using roller skating as a way to better your ice skating skills…
Does Roller Skating Help With Ice Skating?
The rumors about roller skating helping with the sharp learning curve of ice skating definitely have some truth to them, and you can blame the mechanics of each sport for that. Here’s how having a past that involves roller skating can help you once you decide to hit the ice:
- Balance. The most obvious way that being an avid roller skater can help your ice skating skills is the balance aspect. Both roller skates and ice skates require you to be able to balance on footwear. Studies show that roller skates can help you attain that level of balance.
- Basic Muscle Memory. Though there are a lot of differences between the two sports, both ice and roller skating require similar basic skills. Things like knowing how to turn, how to spin, and how to glide can be practiced with roller skating fairly well.
- Keeping In Shape. Let’s face it. Most places in the world will not have ice skating available year-round. Roller skating can help keep your muscles alive and working while you wait for your next season. This gives your legs the conditioning you need to be able to execute awesome moves.
- Agility. Roller skating is an excellent way to getter at controlling each leg independently and gaining the agility you need to be fast on ice skates. This makes it easier for skaters to respond to fast changes on both ice and roller rink terrain.
- Confidence. One of the biggest reasons why a lot of pro roller skaters take to ice skating is because it boosts their confidence in their skills as athletes.
Are Roller Skating And Ice Skating Identical In Terms Of Skill And Technique?
Here’s the kicker that people forget. Though these two sports are very similar on a superficial level, they have a slew of differences that make them strikingly unique in the way they are experienced. Their differences also mean that being a proficient in one isn’t a guarantee that you’ll ace the other.
Assuming that you can do the same tricks on ice as you do at the roller rink isn’t a smart move. In fact, it can be downright dangerous. There are several main differences that change up the pace of each sport which impact the overall technique and learning curve you’ll experience.
Terrain
Terrain is the most obvious way that these two sports differ, and it impacts the overall way you move tremendously. Roller rinks have more of a grip than ice rinks do, which means that ice skating tends to happen at a faster speed with a higher chance of falling.
To make up for it, ice skaters will need to have different techniques to stop, glide, and also perform major tricks. Trying to brake the way you would with roller skates will only lead to you falling forward or crashing into a rink side.
Skate Build
Assuming that you’re not talking about in-line skates, roller skates have four wheels—two one each side of the skate. Ice skates feature a single blade that the skater is expected to balance upon. Though standing on roller skates and ice skates take similar balance, it’s clear that one type of skate will require more balance than the other.
Since ice skates can lean further in one way or another, your turn techniques will also differ. This can change what tricks you can do, as well as how your skates feel on your feet while you practice them.
Aggression
Roller skating terrain is a lot grippier than ice ever will be, which means that you will need a lot more effort to push yourself across the terrain. This gives roller skating an aggressive edge to it that ice skating simply doesn’t have.
Everything in roller skating requires a little more force than in ice skating, tricks included. As a result, ice skaters often have to scale back the amount of strength they take with every gliding movement they make.
If You Roller Skate, Can You Ice Skate?
Most people who roller skate tend to get somewhat curious about other forms of skating as well. This includes ice skating, roller blading, and at times, even skateboarding. You may be wondering whether or not a person’s roller skating ability has an impact on whether or not they can skate well.
Generally speaking, people who prove themselves adept at roller skating tend to do well on ice as well. People who roller skate on a regular basis are going to have an easier time picking up the skills they need to ice skate and often have a shorter learning curve than others would have.
If you roller skate, it’s safe to assume that you will be able to pick up ice skating fairly well. However, it’s still important to remember that you will need to learn the more subtle details that make the two sports different.
Is It A Good Idea For Ice Skaters To Learn How To Roller Skate?
Though roller skating isn’t a one-way ticket to ice skating excellence, most professional ice skaters also make a point of strapping on a pair of roller skates once in a while too. There’s nothing saying that roller skating will take away from your ice skating prowess. If anything, it’ll benefit it.
When Can Roller Skating Become A Disadvantage To Ice Skaters?
There are very few moments where learning how to roller skate could become disadvantageous to ice skaters. The only time that you should not try to use roller skates to enhance your ice skating work is if you are trying to rely on using your roller skates as a way to practice ice rink tricks.
Ice skating tricks do not work the same way as roller skating tricks do. Because of the build of the skates, the way you lean into an ice skate matters a lot more—and makes a very noticeable difference in trick technique. Ice skating tricks, particularly those involving turns or leaning, don’t have the same techniques as roller skating counterparts.
Getting muscle memory from roller skates and expecting them to work on the ice rink won’t work out well. In fact, depending on the trick you try, it can be a seriously dangerous idea.
Using Roller Skating As A Way To Help Kids Ice Skate
A lot of parents have started to use roller skating as a way to introduce the basic skills needed to ice skate to younger children. This is actually a great idea! The reason that this works so well is because childrens’ legs are still developing and may have a harder time balancing on ice skates.
Using roller skates, which have a more balanced build, are easier for kids to get accustomed to. The more aggressive pushing you need to propel roller skates also makes for a good way for kids to develop their leg strength, which in turn, can help them get the agility they need to get good on ice skates.
The Bottom Line
Roller skating and ice skating go hand in hand. Most people who roller skate get the urge to ice skate later on in life, and vice versa. If you are looking to hone your ice skating skills or condition your body, grabbing a pair of roller skates won’t hurt. In fact, this is how many professional ice skaters keep in shape.
Though roller skating can be beneficial to you, it’s important to remember that roller skating and ice skating are not the same thing. In order to max out your benefits, we strongly suggest reminding yourself that different sports take different techniques—and remembering to act accordingly.
