5 Beginner Tips to Roller Skate Properly and Safely

Roller skating can be a fun leisure activity, a competitive sport, and a great form of exercise. Once you are aware of the proper stance of roller skating, you will be sailing around the skating rink in no time. The following tips and tricks can help you with this.

1. Put your skating equipment on

The only real equipment that you will need to roller skate is a pair of skating boots that actually fit you well.

You can buy these from any reliable sporting gears store or may even borrow them from a skating rink. Skate sizes should not confuse you much because they are typically the same as that of regular walking shoes.

For additional safety, you should also consider picking up the following items:

• Wrist guards and knee pads: Your hands and knees are more than sure of hitting the floor a few times since you aren’t very familiar with the roller skating sport. These wrist guards and knee pads can protect you from painful bruises and cuts as a result of those falls.

• A helmet: A helmet can protect your head from injury. Since you are starting out, it’s highly recommended that you use a helmet at the initial stages of your roller skating practice.

2. Take the right posture

Source- Flickr

Place your feet at the width of your shoulders, bend down on your knees, and squat. This stance will lower your center of gravity for good.

Remember, as far as roller skating is concerned; your balance is the key. The stance depicted above will help you maintain your balance in the best possible manner.

Note: The first time you hit the skating rink, you may feel that everything is getting out of your control. Don’t worry. This is quite normal. Just keep on practicing the stance mentioned above, and you’ll succeed in no time.

3. Try to walk on your skates similar to that of a duck

Place your heels together with your toes pointed out. Then slowly start walking forward, first to the right and then to the left.

Since you are a beginner, continue squatting and walking at the same time so you can more easily keep your balance.

Note:

Keep on practicing “squatting and walking” until you get the hang of it. You may fall down a few times at the start but that is quite okay. As you gain more confidence with each passing day, start moving quickly on your skates by taking longer strides.

Also, push harder on the wheels, so you roll further with each of your strides.

4. Know how to glide

Lengthen each of your strides by allowing yourself to roll for a while.

Push off with one foot and glide on the other until you notice a significant loss in momentum; then repeat the entire procedure again to gain more distance.

And don’t forget to keep your non-gliding foot above the ground while gliding on one foot; otherwise, it would impede your movement as a result of the additional friction. The below graphic is provided for an easy reference.

Additional tips:

• While practicing turning to the right, lean yourself to the right to lower your center of gravity for an improved balance. While turning to the left, lean yourself to the left for the very same purpose. And don’t forget to squat during the entire procedure.

• Practice gaining pace by using your body weight to your advantage. Put pressure on the wheels, lean yourself into your stride and propel yourself forward. You will see that you have gained momentum in no time.

5. Know how to stop

All roller skates come with brakes which can usually be located at the toes of the shoes. You will have to use these brakes tactically to bring yourself to a halt.

Here’s how you do it:

• Glide your skates parallel to one another.

• Go down on your knees to a squatting position.

• Lean slightly forward.

• Place your right skate in front of your left.

• Lift up the toe of your right skate slightly and press down hard on the toe. The harder you press down, the faster you’ll stop.

Roller skating is fun; especially when you get the hang of it. So don’t give up at the start even if you encounter all those pesky little bumps and bruises. With practice and determination, you will be able to do it in no time. Here’s a toast from us to your possible success. Goodbye and good luck!

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