One of the most common technical misunderstandings in Artistic Roller Sports is the difference between placing a skate and transferring weight.
A skater can put the new skate in the correct place on the floor and still lose flow, balance, and timing if the weight transfer itself is mechanically incorrect.
This guide explains the distinction and why it matters for every type of skating movement.
Defining the Terms
Weight Placement vs. Weight Transfer
Weight Placement refers to where the skate contacts the floor — the physical location and position of the new skating foot.
Weight Transfer refers to how and when the body commits to that skate — the biomechanical process of shifting support from one foot to the other.
These are not the same thing, and confusing them creates technical problems that limit skating quality.
How Proper Weight Transfer Works
The Fundamental Principle
In correct skating mechanics, the new skate contacts the floor before full weight is applied.
The body remains supported by the original skating foot momentarily. Weight transfers by releasing pressure from the old skating foot — not by forcing weight onto the new one.
Timing remains intact and motion continues without interruption.
The Mechanical Sequence
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Step 1: Contact
The new skate lightly touches the floor in the AND position. The body is still supported by the original skating foot.
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Step 2: Release
Pressure is released from the original skating foot. The body begins to move forward naturally.
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Step 3: Transfer
Weight arrives on the new skate as a result of the release — not because it was forced or pushed.
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Step 4: Glide
The new skating foot continues forward on a controlled edge with continuous flow.
This sequence applies across all skating movements: progressives, chassés, cross-behinds, mohawks, choctaws, and transitions.
Understanding Through Analogy
Walking as a Model
Weight transfer in skating works the same way as weight transfer in walking.
When you walk, you don't "plunk" your weight onto the next foot. You place the foot, release weight from the back foot, allow the body to move forward, and let the weight arrive naturally on the new foot.
Skating follows the same biomechanical sequence — with glide and edge control added.
Common Technical Errors
What Goes Wrong
When skaters focus only on placement without understanding transfer mechanics, several problems emerge:
- Weight is forced too early. The skater "jumps" to the new foot instead of allowing the transfer to happen naturally.
- The AND position becomes a pause. Flow stops instead of continuing through the movement.
- Balance feels rushed or unstable. The body hasn't had time to adjust properly.
- Trips and stumbles increase. Weight arrives on the new skate before it's properly positioned to support the body.
- Edge quality deteriorates. The skater cannot maintain proper edge depth or control through the transfer.
- Timing breaks down. The rhythm of the movement becomes choppy and inconsistent.
The root cause: Treating weight transfer as a placement problem instead of a release problem.
Training the Correct Mechanics
Fundamental Drill: Release to Transfer
This drill helps skaters feel the difference between placing a skate and transferring weight.
- Begin gliding on one foot on a controlled edge (outside or inside).
- Lightly place the free skate on the floor in the AND position without immediately committing weight.
- Hold the original skating edge briefly while both skates are on the floor.
- Transfer weight by releasing pressure from the original skating foot, allowing the body to move naturally onto the new skate.
- Continue gliding forward on the new skating foot without pushing or forcing the transfer.
Focus Points for Skaters
- Contact before commitment — The new skate touches the floor first
- No jump or rush — The body doesn't leap to the new foot
- Continuous motion — Flow doesn't stop during the transfer
- Controlled release — Weight leaves the old foot before arriving on the new one
Coaching Cues
- "Place it, then release"
- "Let the weight move to the new foot"
- "Don't jump — let it happen"
- "Feel the release before the transfer"
Application Across Skating Movements
Where This Applies
Proper weight transfer mechanics are essential in every type of skating movement:
Progressives
Contact → Release → Glide
Chassés
Place → Release → Return
Cross-Behinds
Cross → Release → Edge
Mohawks
Turn → Release → New Edge
Choctaws
Entry → Release → Exit Edge
One-Foot Turns
Rotation → Release → New Direction
In every case, the skater must release weight from the original skating foot before full commitment to the new skating foot.
Coaching Perspective
Teaching Weight Transfer Effectively
Effective skating is built on controlled release, not force.
When coaching weight transfer:
- Focus on the release phase, not just the placement phase
- Use walking as an accessible analogy
- Emphasize the momentary AND position where both feet are on the floor
- Reinforce that the body moves into the new foot — it doesn't jump to it
- Watch for rushed transfers and teach skaters to slow down the sequence
Understanding this distinction leads to cleaner timing, stronger edges, and safer, more efficient skating.
Summary: The Three-Step Sequence
1. Place the skate first
2. Release the old foot
3. Let the weight arrive
That sequence changes everything.
📘 Developed by the CARS Community
This resource reflects the collective expertise of coaches, judges, and athletes in Competitive Artistic Roller Sports.