Skateboarding is still quite popular even though its popularity is currently waning. If you want to learn to skate, start by practicing balance, turning, and speed regulation. Make sure you stay safe while rollerblading by learning to stop sliding. Learn the T-stop technique by moving one foot forward, positioning the sole of the foot in a T, then dragging the back foot to stop the wheel from turning. Also, learn the knee stop, spinout stop, and plow stop technique by spreading your feet apart, then pointing your toes inward to trigger friction on the floor.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Learn the Basic Technique to Stop Glide
Step 1. Use knee pads to stop
You should wear knee pads before rollerblading. In addition, the knee protector can be used to stop sliding by lowering one knee so that the knee protector slides across the floor. This technique is very suitable for beginners because it is very easy to do, but don't rely on this method. Use knee pads to stop only when absolutely necessary.
Step 2. Apply the brakes to the heel or front side of the skates
One of the basic stopping techniques is to use brakes because inline skates usually have a brake on the heel and roller skates (with 4 wheels) have a brake on the front side of the shoe. When you want to apply the brakes, spread your legs apart so that they are positioned like exposed scissors. If you want to apply the rear brake, apply the brake on the shoe in front (eg right foot) by lifting the toes of your right foot, then slowly press the brake to the floor. If you want to apply the front brake, lift the heel of the back foot (for example, your left foot), then slowly press the brake to the floor. When using the front brake, you should lean back slightly to avoid injury to the soles of your feet and ankles.
Step 3. Learn the spinout stop technique
Transfer your weight to one leg (for example your right foot), then slide your left foot on the floor in a circle so that the direction of glide changes from straight forward to turning. This movement reduces your glide speed so you can stop without moving your right foot. To be more effective, use your dominant foot to rest and the other foot to form a circle. This technique can be used if you need to slow down, but don't want to stop gliding.
Method 2 of 3: Performing a Plow Stop
Step 1. Spread your feet wider than your shoulders
When rollerblading, try to keep your feet shoulder-width apart, but if you want to stop sliding with a plow stop, the distance should be slightly wider. However, do not stretch the soles of the feet too wide until the leg muscles feel sore. It's a good idea to bend your knees slightly if you want to stop sliding with this technique.
Step 2. Point your toes slightly inward
Change the direction of the soles of the feet slowly so that the toes are closer together, instead of straight ahead. At this point, the soles of your feet will be pressed together in the direction of your toes, but try to keep them shoulder-width apart. For that, don't tilt your feet too far inward so you don't fall down. You simply tilt the sole of the foot inward so that the direction is not straight forward.
When the soles of the feet are facing inward, the position of the wheels is slightly tilted so that it triggers friction with the floor. This friction causes the wheel to stop turning
Step 3. Slowly bring your feet together
Your glide speed will decrease as you point your feet inward, but if you want to stop, you'll need to keep your feet together, especially if you want to stop immediately. Be careful when bringing your feet together because you can sway if your feet suddenly come close to each other. Do this technique slowly while bending both knees slightly. Do not straighten your knees and activate your leg muscles.
Step 4. Let the inside of the wheel rub against each other
As soon as the soles of the feet pointing inward approach each other, adjust the position of the front wheels so that they are almost touching. If you want to stop sliding, reduce speed by pressing the inside of the wheel so that they rub against each other. However, don't let your feet hit each other and the wheels rub against each other so hard that you stop suddenly because you could sway and fall on your back.
Method 3 of 3: Using the T-Stop Technique
Step 1. Bend both knees slightly
The safest posture for rollerblading is to bend your knees, but if you want to stop, it keeps you balanced and makes it easier to stop sliding. You don't need to bend your knees like you're sitting, just bend them slightly so your legs don't straighten. This posture moves your center of gravity down so you don't sway.
Take your height into account when bending your knees. To maintain balance, tall people must bend their knees more deeply than shorter people
Step 2. Move your non-dominant leg back
As you slide, transfer your weight to your dominant foot (the foot you used to kick the ball), then lower the other leg so that it's in an open scissor-like position. For now, make sure the soles of your feet are straight in front of you.
Use the foot in front for support. This movement is quite challenging because you need to maintain balance while standing on one leg. So, practice as often as possible. You can stop gliding when the back foot lifts off the floor
Step 3. Lift the back leg
When lifting your legs, don't go too high. You simply lift your feet so they don't touch the floor so that the soles of your feet can be turned sideways and put back in the correct position. When doing this move, you should rest on your front foot as you slide.
Step 4. Point the sole of the back foot so that it is perpendicular to the sole of the front foot
As soon as the leg is lifted, immediately turn it to the side in a flowing motion. Make sure the sole of the back foot is pointing outward so that it forms a 90° angle with the sole of the front foot.
Step 5. Place the sole of the back foot on the floor
Do this move slowly, instead of slamming your feet on the floor. Lower your feet to the floor if the position of the soles of the feet is perpendicular and the feet are like scissors open with a distance of 30-40 cm. Even though both feet are on the floor, just press the back of the foot slightly against the floor. Don't shift your weight backwards.
- The movement of lifting, twisting, and placing the foot must be done as quickly as possible in sequence so that these three movements form an unbroken sequence.
- Keep in mind that the back leg will rotate slightly to the side when you place the sole of your foot on the floor while stretching your legs apart. At this time, the shoes in front were pointing straight ahead, but the shoes in the back were pointing to the side.
Step 6. Make sure both sides of the hips are facing forward
You will slide sideways or twist if one side of your hip is pulled back because this posture makes the body feel more comfortable. You can't slide straight forward as you wish if your hips are tilted back. So, try to keep both sides of the hips facing forward perpendicular to the soles of the feet in front. This posture may feel uncomfortable because the hip, lower abdomen, and quadriceps muscles are stretched, but it must be maintained.
Step 7. Drag the back foot until you stop sliding
Don't rest on the back foot as you only need to press it slightly against the floor to slow down. The stronger the pressure, the faster you will stop sliding. Consider the distance available for gliding, then adjust foot pressure as needed.
Tips
- When rollerblading, you should wear safety gear, such as a helmet, elbow protectors and knee protectors, especially if you are learning to skate.
- You need to practice diligently in order to stop sliding. So don't give up if you haven't mastered the technique the first time you practice.
