skating

Skating is the activity of moving across a surface with footwear that has blades or wheels. It includes several disciplines, with ice skating on frozen water and roller skating on dry surfaces being the most common.

Ice skating uses blades attached to specialized footwear. Disciplines include figure skating, speed skating, ice dancing, and ice hockey. Figure skates have toe picks; speed skates have long blades. Protective gear is common in practice and competition.

Roller skating includes quad skates with two-by-two wheels and inline skates with a single line of wheels. It is pursued for recreation, fitness, artistic skating, and aggressive skating. Modern skates feature adjustable frames and brakes, and protective gear such as wrist guards, knee pads, and helmets is common.

Techniques vary by form but share balance, weight transfer, and push-off mechanics. Ice skaters learn stance, gliding, stopping, and turning; inline skaters emphasize pushes and crossovers. Training typically combines drills, on-ice or on-road practice, and conditioning.

Skating is overseen by major organizations that run competitions. In ice skating, the International Skating Union (ISU) governs figure skating, speed skating, and short track. In roller sports, World Skate administers competitions. Ice skating is an Olympic sport.