Famous champion ice skaters who once competed in roller skating include Brian Boitano, Tara Lipinski and Marina Kielmann.

Artistic roller skating is often considered to be more difficult because ice allows the skater to draw a deep edge to push off from when performing jumps such as a Lutz or an Axel and roller skates are heavier than their ice equivalents, making jumping harder.

The official dimension of plain figure circles, measured at their diameter is 6 meters (19 feet, 8+1⁄4 inches).

The official dimension of smaller loop figure circles measure at 2.4 meters (7 feet, 10+1⁄2 inches).

[6] Judges in figure events consider the quality of the skater's tracing of the circle, clean takeoffs, edges and correct placement of turns.

American Dance is performed only at the United States National level and below, and emphasizes keeping the upper body upright and free from movement.

Most of the jumps done by freestyle roller skaters are similar to those performed in ice skating, with some nomenclature changed.

A "toe loop" on ice is often referred to as a Mapes in roller skating, taking its name from the inventor of the jump.

Roller skating also traditionally emphasizes spins that are uncommon on ice, especially the inverted camel in which the skater is on an outside edge with their body and left leg extended outward parallel to the floor, the skater then rotates their hips 180 degrees while continuing to spin so that they are spinning upside down [7] The inverted camel is generally performed by women; few men learn to do it and even fewer perform it in competition.

For a precision team to flow in unison, individual skaters must be competent at a variety of skating skills, including speed, footwork and presentation.

The team performs a program set to music, with required formations including circles, lines, blocks, wheels, and intersections.

The teams are required to perform difficult step sequences involving a number of complicated turns.

In each season, teams developed more creative and innovative routines incorporating stronger basic skating skills, new maneuvers and more sophisticated transitions with greater speed, style and agility.

Due to the interest in the sport in North America, other countries took notice, leading to the World Championships.

Although not currently an Olympic sport, fans and participants of this fast-growing discipline have begun to strive for recognition by the rest of the athletic world.

It is a varsity sport at a few colleges, and both Precision Roller Skating and its ice counterpart are being reviewed for Olympic eligibility.

It is up to the coach or choreographer to design a routine that has a maximum of three jumps and two spins and has some dance moves such as swings, runs, etc.. As of the 2016–2017 season, USARS has decided to add tumbling to their total score, allowing skaters to do optional cartwheels, splits and other forms of tumbling.

As of the 2015–2016 skating season, USARS opened up an Elementary International Creative Solo/Free dance event which allows 12 year olds and under to participate in an international-style routine that would be taken to regional and national championships.

To skate the combined event at regionals/nationals, skater must pay a separate entry fee to have the scores for International free dance and International Solo Dance combined for a chance to get an extra medal and extra ticket to nationals.

While plates are usually long lasting and durable, boots, wheels, and toe stops need to be replaced as they wear down with use.

In general, free skating boots are stiff to support skaters' ankles and prevent injury as they spin and jump.

Dance boots are the most flexible and soft, with a low cut back for ankle mobility, allowing the skater to point their foot and create aesthetic lines with their leg.

Boots come in many different brands, some of the most popular being Riedell, Edea, Risport, Harlick, SP Teri, and Jackson.

Professional and mid-level plates are made of a strong lightweight metal like aluminum, stainless steel, or titanium.

Popular quad plate brands include Roll-line, RollerSkates Italia, Atlas, and Snyder.