Competitive Jam Skating

Definition

Competitive Jam Skating is an intense sport where individuals compete while on rollerskates by combining elements of gymnastics, breakdancing, and freestyle skating strategically performed to the lyrics, beat and rhythmic movement of the music.

Sanctioned Events

Competitive Jam Skating includes the following sanctioned events for all of the Leagues below:

1. 1 VS 1 Solo Battles (Boys)
2. 1 VS 1 Solo Battles (Girls)
3. 5 VS 5 Team Battles (Coed)
4. :90 Solo Performances (Boys)
5. :90 Solo Performances (Girls)
6. :90 Doubles Performances (Coed)
7. :90 Team Performances (Coed)

Leagues (Age Brackets)

1. Junior League (9-11 year olds)
2. Little League (12-14 year olds)
3. Minor League (15-17 year olds)
4. Major League (18 years old and older)

Age Stipulations

1. The skater’s age for all Leagues will be determined by the Jam Skater’s age on January 1st of the current Jam Skating season.
2. Jam Skaters must compete in the League that corresponds to their age on January 1st of the current Jam Skating season. (i.e. Jam Skaters are not allowed to skate in a higher/older league.)
3. Jam Skaters cannot compete on more than one team for any of the events during the same tournament.

Season and Tournaments

The Jam Skating season will begin January 1st each year and will end on the last day of the final tournament of the same year.

The National Jam Skating League season will consist of 3 sanctioned national tournaments each year (One in the spring, one in the summer and one in the fall…all at different locations throughout the country whenever possible.) with multiple local and regional qualifiers coming in the next few years as the sport grows.

SPRING TOURNAMENT

1 VS 1 Solo Battles
5 VS 5 Team Battles
:90 DOUBLES Performances

SUMMER JAM

1 VS 1 Solo Battles
5 VS 5 Team Battles
:90 SOLO Performances

FALL TOURNAMENT

1 VS 1 Solo Battles
5 VS 5 Team Battles
:90 TEAM Performances

*SOLO, DOUBLES and TEAM :90 Performances will rotate tournaments so that each year a different location will host one of the :90 Performances.

Origins, Objectives and Goals

Recreational Jam Skating has a variety of origins and styles and depending on who you talk to, you will get a myriad of answers about where certain moves originated, which genre is the coolest, what style is most difficult, which techniques and moves should be emphasized or what type of Jam Skater possesses the most impressive rollerskating skills overall…not to mention, which style or brand of rollerskates is superior?

These healthy debates (and probably a few ‘not so healthy’ ones) have gone on for years in skating rinks around the world (and in more recent years in various online forums) and will undoubtedly continue for years to come. However, the often misguided necessity to find absolutes on the subject have been instrumental in the defining emergence and development of the exciting and intense sport of Competitive Jam Skating. (Which in no way intends to minimize or replace the rich and influential Jam Skating past, but rather hopes to build upon it as a tribute!)

It is clearly understood that not every Jam Skater feels the need or desire to compete. Many are perfectly content, finding uncomplicated solace and fulfillment simply jamming out in their free time, with their favorite tunes, in whatever style of Jam Skating that suits them best wearing a rollerskate of their own choosing. Nonetheless, there are others who crave competition and the heat of the battle. Jam Skaters who excel under pressure and are challenge driven and motivated by a fierce desire to win and be the best.

Competitive Jam Skating has been carefully formulated with a deliberate balance of procedures, events, rules and regulations and indispensable judging criteria. This framework allows Competitive Jam Skaters to test their skills against other Jam Skaters via fair and intense competition where they are judged and given scores so that whichever Jam Skater finishes victorious also achieves increased credibility and legitimacy to go along with their win.

The underlying hope of the National Jam Skating League is to inspire and motivate new and seasoned skaters alike from near and far to put on a pair of rollerskates more often and cultivate a deeper love and appreciation for the truly unique art—and sport—of Jam Skating…in all of its forms. Fair competition, by way of Competitive Jam Skating and the National Jam Skating League, optimistically expects to be a positive influence in this endeavor across the country and throughout the world.

The Jam Circle

Competitive Jam Skating uses a Jam Circle as the designated area where battles and performances take place.

1. The Jam Circle should be clearly defined by tape or painted lines. The skating surface within the Jam Circle should be very smooth, clean and free of debris and made of materials traditionally used for roller skating. (i.e. Wood, sport court or coated concrete.)
2. The Jam Circle should be a 30 foot diameter circle. Exceptions can be made where space is limited but the Jam Circle should never be less than 24 feet in diameter. If necessary, a square or rectangle is acceptable as long as no side is less than 24 feet long.
3. Spectators are expected to view battles and performances from outside the Jam Circle to avoid interfering with the Jam Skaters who are competing.
4. Photographers, videographers, emcee’s, judges, coaches etc. are also expected to stay outside of the Jam Circle during competition.
5. During battles, Jam Skaters are not allowed to leave the Jam Circle until the scores have been posted. For performances, Jam Skaters must begin anywhere inside the Jam Circle and are not allowed to leave the Jam Circle until their routine has ended. *Permission from League officials is required before leaving the Jam Circle in the event of a skate or wardrobe malfunction. (See ‘Skate Malfunctions’ for additional details)

The X-ZONE

A small but conspicuous “X” should be placed 4 feet just inside the outermost edge of both sides of the circle directly opposite of each other to designate the foremost part of the X-ZONE.

1. These designated areas are where Jam Skaters will start their sets from or wait their turn to skate while their opponent is skating.
2. During a Jam Skaters turn, they are allowed to enter their opponents X-Zone, but should not touch their opponent at any time.
3. Jam Skaters waiting their turn to skate are not allowed to leave their X-ZONE.
4. Jam Skaters should not stop skating/battling within their own X-ZONE until they are finished with their set or it will be determined that their set has been completed and their turn will be automatically over.