Skating on inline skates can be a ton of fun and a great way to stay in shape. Whether you are playing roller hockey, or simply skating on a path by where you live, it can be an awesome time. However, before you can skate comfortably and safely, you need to know how to stop.
I know when I was first learning to skate on roller skates, braking was a crucial part of staying safe and being able to better control my movement.
While some skates you put on will have a heel brake, plenty of them won’t have a brake at all. If you are new to inline skating, you may be incredibly confused as to how you actually stop. Well, there are a few ways, some are simple, and others that take a little more skill.
This guide is going to go over some of the different ways to stop on inline skates, to help you skate like a pro and stay safe.
1. Plow or V-Stop
One of the simplest ways to slow yourself down when you are still a beginner is to use the plow or V-stop. This technique will slow you down gradually, and allow you to slowly come to a stop. To begin this type of stop, you want to ensure that your legs are quite wide.
As you glide with your legs shoulder-width apart, or more, begin to turn your toes inward. This process will reduce your speed, and eventually lead to a stop. Always brace yourself when performing this kind of stop, as it is easy to fall forward or accidentally trip.
While this stop can be used at any speed, it is much easier to pull off when you are going slow. If you are going fast, trying to plow stop will often lead to a trip or a fall. You need a bit of balance to stop this way, and you should aim to prevent your skates from hitting each other, too.
2. T-Stop
A slightly more intermediate technique for stopping is the T-stop. This is essentially when you glide on one skate, and drag the other behind you with your toes to the side (forming a T). The wheels of your back skate will be perpendicular to the wheels on your front skate.
If you simply add downward pressure to the back skate that is now sideways, it should slow you down quite quickly. Before attempting to stop this way, make sure you can comfortably glide on one leg without issue, as this technique requires it.
Also, be aware that relying on this stopping technique too often could damage your wheels, so it isn’t something you should aim to do each and every time that you need to stop.
3. Spin and Stop
If you want to add a little bit of flair and pizzaz to how you stop, the spin-and-stop technique might be for you. To begin this stop, you need to be skating forward with your legs wider than shoulder-width apart.
Next, you need to quickly spin one leg out, and then turn your body in the opposite direction, which should provide enough momentum to force you to turn around, thus stopping your forward movement.
This method will certainly take some practice and you may fall a bit while trying, but it is a very effective option to stop almost instantly while going at moderate speeds. Try it first at very slow speeds before graduating and trying it while going a little quicker.
4. Hockey Stop
While this is a fairly advanced tactic, the hockey stop is certainly one of the most quick and effective ways to stop on inline hockey skates. This method involves making a very fast turn and sliding sideways to eventually come to a complete stop.
Your knees should be bent for optimal balance, and be sure to lean away from where your momentum is taking you, to ensure you don’t fall over. This is much easier on ice with skates, but can certainly be done in roller skates with enough practice, too.
This technique is often easier at faster speeds, as you need some speed to jump into the stop. It also works better on smoother surfaces, so be careful doing it on rough surfaces like the street.
While learning to stop is crucial, there will still be some times that you spin out or lose your balance, which may cause you to fall. It is a good idea to ensure you know how to fall safely and correctly, too.
Always bend your knees, and try to land on your knee or elbow pads, and avoid trying to stop your fall with your hands, as that can lead to broken wrists or a broken arm if you’re not careful.
In conclusion, there are a few different ways you can stop on inline skates to ensure you are always in control and stay safe. I hope this article has been able to help you out, but be sure to leave me a comment if you feel like I left something out!
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