Hybrid skating practices

Hybrid inline skating sports

Choose your Roller sport mix!

Hybrid sports are as numerous as the human imagination reaches its limits. Of course they are not limited to skating. In sociology, the term hybridization applies to all sports. Hybridizations based on skating are numerous. Their stages of development are very uneven…

The origins of inline basketball: much more historical than you can imagine

Basketball was invented in 1891 by James Naismith and roller-skating was invented around 1760. The two sports could have crossed paths earlier, but according to the New York Times (July 1, 1906) the two did not meet until the beginning of the 20th century, on the occasion of a revival of roller-skating fashion.

« The recent revival of roller skating has led to the emergence of many new and interesting sports on roller skates. These include pushball, broomball, gymkhana, medley racing and basketball ».

More than fifty clubs wanted to play on the large field in Madison Square Garden. This event lasted several years before it was forgotten. However, the press predicted a bright and promising future for this discipline.

The « modern » practice

Anyone who watches an inline basketball game is surprised by the speed and skill of the players. The skates glide silently over the asphalt, the squeaking sound of the braking players warns of changes in direction or the preparation of a throw.

Tom Lagarde is said to have brought « inline basketball » back into fashion in the 1990s, at the time of the great roller skating fashion and the return of inline skating. Tom Lagarde is the founder of the National Inline Basketball League. 100 people took part in a championship that was launched in the United States.

The third « World Championship » (women and men) was held in New York’s Union Square Park.
In the summer of 1995, Lagarde took his team of players on a tour of 15 cities across the country to perform half-hour demonstrations.

Media coverage and the return to a confidential practice

What began as weekend entertainment for Lagarde has developed into something more. The sport was shown on MTV Sports and ESPN-2.
Between 1993 and 1995, Lagarde’s team participated in the NBA All Star Game. This was an important part of developing an interest in the sport. However, over the last twenty or so years or so, it has not managed to develop internationally and has gradually been replaced by inline ball. Inline ball is increasingly successful in the countries of Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Portugal had its own championship in 1999.

On 30 June 2000, CBS News dedicated an article to roller basketball entitled « New Roller Sport hits the court« .

« Since the sport is just beginning, » remarks Tom, « you can quickly become one of the best players in the world. Few people can boast of that. We can hardly find any traces of inline basketball in the 2000s. In November and December 2003 the « Brazil Inline Basketball Grand Prix » took place, a tour to promote the sport in Brazil, in the cities of Brasilia, Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

The second World Championships were held in the Netherlands from 14 to 16 August 2004 on the occasion of the Amsterdam Skate Festival. National competitions will be held in Lahore (Pakistan) from 26 to 28 December 2003 and in December 2004.
In Baden-Württemberg (Germany), a federation was founded with the Turnerbund 1848 Sigmaringen e.V. Another quite active association was founded in Cologne (Germany).

The Dutch Roller Inline Basketball League (DRIBBL) was active on the internet until March 2010. In Amsterdam (Netherlands) event lists have been published until 2017.

Roller soccer or inline soccer develops slowly

A charismatic founder

Zack Phillips is one of the pioneers of inline football, he is the founder of the « International Inline Football Association ». He is not affiliated with the WorldSkate, which is the only federation recognized by the International Olympic Committee.

The basic rules of inline soccer

The rules are similar to those of football. The training takes place on an area the size of a hockey field, teams of 5 players compete against each other, the goals measure 1 m x 3 m.

The time is divided into 2 halves of 25 minutes, the use of hands is prohibited, as well as the use of any physical contact…
International development

In the last fifteen years or so, the discipline has been structured with national and international inline football competitions. A « world championship » is regularly held with club teams, and France is always in a good position: Marseille is the most successful team. The Phocéens players of AMSCAS won their 5th consecutive title in 2013.

A championship has also been established in France. Marseille is the leading team in France, but there are also Paris, Caen, Toulon…

Useful links

Official website of the International Inline Football Federation

French inline soccer website: Inline Football France

Roller-Joering: pulled/towed by an animal

Because being pulled is more fun!

A few riding clubs and individuals have ventured into roller-joring: you can be pulled by any animal that is strong enough to do so!

Traction by a horse

Roller-joering: Take a horse, equip it with a harness, put on the skates and go on a tarred path or road.

In 2004 we received an article about the team of A.T.E.M. Rando Equestre in the colours of Maisons-Laffitte.

And why not with one or more dogs?

Other skaters like to use sled dogs and a pair of cross-country skates to cross forest tracks. Sensations are guaranteed here…

This method is only suitable for skaters of a good level, as you have to be able to deal with the irregularities of the terrain. Avoid practicing with a dog on a tarred road, it will damage his paws!

Roller catch is an illegal and dangerous practice, which consists in clinging to motorized vehicles.

Inline Kiting: pulled by a kite or a sail

Grab a tow sail, a pair of inline skates, preferably off-road, and set off into the great outdoors! There is a rather fancy video on the internet in which a skater makes Paris unsafe with his sail and skates.
Have a look at our article about the different possibilities to learn more.

Speed records were set with kite equipment during the World Championships by David Lenoir.

Water-jump

The discipline combines inline skating… and diving!

We can also tell you that skates are not always treated well, especially the bearings!

This delirium on wheels regularly creates imitators. The Germans celebrated New Year’s Eve last year by jumping into the Rhine (don’t imitate it at home).

We also remember the great hours of these shows and demonstrations during the Mythique Contest of Lausanne (Switzerland) in the 1990s.

Links

About roller basket

Presentation of roller-soccer

International Roller-Soccer Tournament in Marseille

Summary of the first European Roll Ball Tournament 2019

By Alfathor
Photos: Ivry club
Alfathor, 8WD
all rights reserved