When skating, there are a few different approaches you can take to prevent your roller skates from slipping out or otherwise getting in the way. Depending on the type of skates you are using, your best strategy may vary. Skates can be either in-line skates or quads, and each type requires slightly different techniques to stop safely and effectively.
Whether you’re new to roller skating or simply looking for ways to improve your skills on the rink, some easy tips should help you get the most out of your skates and enjoy a smooth ride every time.
Here are tips on how to stop on roller skates based on their types.
Traditional Quad Skates
These are the skates you see in old movies, with four wheels on each skate. They are the most stable of the bunch, and stopping is pretty straightforward.
You can use your toe stop to brake or drag your foot to slow down gradually. You can also do a T-stop, which is when you put your toe stop at a 90-degree angle to the ground and lean into it to stop. It is a suitable method if you are going fast and need to stop quickly.
Speed Skates
When you want to stop quickly, the first thing you need to do is get your weight over your skates. You can do this by leaning forward and bending your knees slightly. Then, extend your leg out behind you and push down on the heel of your back foot. It will help you slow down quickly.
If you are going too fast and can’t seem to stop, you can try the emergency stop. Dig your toe pick into the ground and lean back while doing this. It will help you slow down gradually.
Inline Skates
If you are an inline skater, you should know that there are two ways to stop. The first way is by using your toe brakes. You will need to lean slightly forward on your skates and press down on the brake levers with your toes. The second way to stop is by using the heel brake.
To do this, you will need to press down on the back of your skate with your heel. It will cause your skate to stop. You can also use both brakes simultaneously if you need to stop quickly.
Other Stopping Methods
It is best to start with the toe brake method when you learn how to stop on roller skates. Once you get more comfortable skating, you can experiment with the other stopping methods.
Some of the advanced methods are explained below:
- a) The turn and slide: This method is used mainly by people who are into racing. You will need to lean to the side and turn your skate so that the toe brake is facing the ground. You will then need to push down on the brake lever with your toe.
- b) The Plow Stop: When you do a plow stop, you put your toe stops down and dig in to slow yourself. It is the most common way to stop on quads, and it’s also the easiest to learn. You can do this by skating forward and then digging your toe to stop into the ground to slow yourself down.
It is crucial to keep your weight over your toe stops when you do this so that you don’t go flying over them.
Conclusion
Whether you want to stop quickly or control your speed better, understanding how to stop on roller skates is an important skill. However, there is no single perfect way to stop when you are skating. It depends on the type of skates you have on.
