In roller figure skating—as in life—the path to success is shaped by one’s direction, focus, and control. Learning to navigate figures is a great starting place for both. Maneuvering those painted curves, loops, and serpentines enhances skaters’ accuracy and edge control, preparing them for the imaginary lines they’ll draw on their own later.

Off-skates training can be especially critical to strengthen and stretch one isolated muscle group at a time. As a result, each exercise off skates maximizes training time on skates.

According to Skating School founder Anthony Berger, rink rental skates are perfectly functional for beginners. Those parents wanting to give their child an edge by purchasing recreational roller skates from a chain retailer would be better to save their money, says the veteran coach who’s been recognized for coaching excellence at various times by U.S.A. Roller Sports and even the U.S. Olympic committee.

Nothing impels a skater to do his or her best like a performance. Many hours of skating practice to hone skills and learn a routine converge into one culminating achievement. Sometimes, the focusing power of performance can be surprising, too.

Looking for a truly moving after-school activity? When it comes to extracurricular activities for kids, only roller skating offers a comprehensive combination of physical sport, artistic expression, and social recreation.