Skating Lobes and Stroking

Skate Dancing is done on curved gliding steps called edges, that blend smoothly when changing feet or turning  (except some 'flat' steps in advanced dances).
A series of edges, all curving the same way is called a lobe. Lobes are generally part of a circle with a common center.
A lobe that curves away from the center of the skating surface is called a center lobe.
A lobe that curves away from the edge of the skating surface - the barrier - is called a barrier lobe.
Lobes that occur on the short end of the skating surface are called end lobes.
The path that the skater takes along the lobe may be called the their trace.
​Transitioning between barrier and center lobes entails a rockover, a change in lean between left and right.
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In American style roller dance, the shoulders and hips are generally perpendicular to, or square with the trace.

• 'outside edges' curve away from the body (Diagram 1), 'inside edges' curve toward the body (Diagram 2 and 3)
• the 'employed' leg and foot bears the skaters weight, while the 'free' one is held off the floor

source: adapted from the 1943 edition 5 of the RSROA manual, concepts attributed to Perry B. Rawson

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Forward Outside Edge Stroke
Begin with feet in the parallel 'and' position (Diagram 4).
Bend both knees, more that just a little.
Push to the side, not back, leaning toward the employed foot.
As the employed foot arcs away on an outside edge,
The pushing foot stays on the floor until it's leg is straight,
And is carried in a slightly turned out position.
The arms form a line toward and away from the center of the curve.
The employed leg remains bent.
The Rockover - Prepare to skate on the other foot.
Remaining on the outside edge, smoothly straighten the employed leg.
Bring the 'free' leg into the parallel 'and' position.
Transition weight to other foot and lean to the other side (the 'rockover')
Forward Stroke on the other Outside Edge
Bend both knees, more that just a little
Push to the side, not back, leaning toward the employed foot.
As the employed foot arcs away on an outside edge,
The pushing foot stays on the floor until it's leg is straight,
And is carried in a slightly turned out position.
​The arms form a line toward and away from the center of the curve.
The employed leg remains bent.

Backward Outside Edge Stroke Weight slightly more toward the heel
Begin with feet in the parallel 'and' position (Diagram 4).
Bend both knees, more that just a little.
Push to the side, not forward, leaning toward the employed foot.
As the employed foot arcs away on an outside edge,
The pushing foot stays turned in, on the floor, until it's leg is straight,
Then is turned to a slightly turned out position after leaving the floor.
The arms form a line toward and away from the center of the curve.
The employed leg remains bent.
The Rockover - Prepare to skate on the other foot.
Remaining on the outside edge, smoothly straighten the employed leg.
Bring the 'free' leg into the parallel 'and' position.
Transition weight to other foot and lean to the other side (the 'rockover')
Backward Stroke on the other Outside Edge
Bend both knees, more that just a little
Push to the side, not back, leaning toward the employed foot.
As the employed foot arcs away on an outside edge,
The pushing foot stays turned in, on the floor, until it's leg is straight,
Then is turned to a slightly turned out position after leaving the floor.
​The arms form a line toward and away from the center of the curve.
The employed leg remains bent.

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these diagrams are for illustrative purposes - the vertical lines would typically be the angled 'axis' of a dance