Learning how to stop on Inline Skates
Stopping on Inline Skates is tricky. Here are a few basic skills to help you stop
Learning how to stop on inline skates can be a nightmare. Assuming that it is easy many try and figure out how to stop using instinct. More cases than not most skaters end up falling. Whether on grass, sand or pavement falling is a way to stop. Not the best option but an option never the less. If you think there are better options than falling to stop on inline skates then you are right. There are several ways to learn to stop on skates. Starting from the very basic to the more advanced skills, here are steps you can follow to help learn to stop on inline skates:
1. The A stop
Probably the easiest way to stop but needs a fair amount of distance to stop. Once you get a hang of it using different leg width and tilting i your knees, you will see that you can shorten the rolling length needed to stop on inline skates using the A stop.
2. Scooter Stop
The scooter stop is to roll on one leg while using the other to tap the skating surface using an inverted half V. In simple terms, if you use the V stance to skate forward and use an inverted V to skate backwards, then technically you can use a partial technique of skating backwards to slow you down. By rolling on one leg and have the other tap but use a position of the skate pointed inward then naturally you will slow down by embracing the deceleration in the thighs. To understand better please watch the video below.
3. Spin Stop
It looks cool and is fun to execute. A hard one to nail, as you combine lateral motion and angular momentum in such a way that if done too abruptly, you shall find yourself sitting on the ground. The spin stop uses the rolling A frame position as the base of movement and when the skater is ready, you change direction by pivoting on one skate pulling the other leg around and finishing the momentum in a circular motion.
4. T Stop
Cool, fun and practical are the essence of the T stop. Having the skate in a T position where you drag the wheels to slow you down is a skill where balance sensitivity and perfect angular control of the skate is needed. Its the go to skill for many down hill skaters and sliders as the technique requires you to feel the grip of the skate as the main component to slow you down. Many skaters struggle with this skill because if the stopping skate is not ferfectly square to the support skate, then skaters tend to skew when stopping.
Learning to stop on inline skates can be a lot of fun. especially when you take the time to get the components of the skills right. Don't wait for an emergency situation to put the stopping skills into action, practice and get it right when pressure is low. This way you gain confidence as you progress in your inline skating skills.
Always-always-always have your protective pads on with a helmet so that learning becomes fun. Falling becomes a tool and you get to enjoy skating rather than mending to a wound.
Stay safe, have fun and give these stops a go by watching the videos below.
