Archives May 2025

Rollerblading, or inline skating, is not just a fun, nostalgic throwback to the ‘90s – it can be a full-body workout and a really cool way to show off some skills! After getting down the basics, you may be looking for some new tricks to add under your belt. Luckily, there are a myriad of tricks ranging from beginner to intermediate that you can learn. Lace up while we roll into 5 tricks you can pull off in inline skates with some practice (and the occasional bruised ego).

5 Tricks You Can Pull Off In Inline Skates 

1. The T-Stop Slide 

Let us start with the T-stop, something as useful as it is impressive. With the word “stop” in its name, you can guess that this move is used to brake. When it is done well, it almost looks like a slick move out of a dance routine!

How to do it: As you skate forward, move your weight over to your dominant leg while dragging your other state behind you gently. Make sure the other skate is at a perpendicular angle, which should form a “T” shape. Applying enough pressure creates friction and lets you slow down. What brings finesse into this trick is getting control; the goal is to glide into stopping instead of an abrupt stop. 

Pro tip: You can prevent your skates from wearing down and make your balance better if you do this trick on a smooth, dry surface. 

2. Heel-Toe Spin

This next one is a great way to work on your control and foot coordination with a balance of rhythm and flair. 

How to do it: Position one of your feet on its heel and the other foot on its toe. Use your core to rotate your body in a circle while keeping your feet in that stance. You might feel a little bit like a figure skater!

Be patient: You need solid core strength as well as balance for this one. Begin with smaller rotations while you build up your confidence. 

3. Bunny Hop

If you have ever jumped over a small object or crack in the sidewalk, you have already done a version of the bunny hop. The trick is to lift all your wheels off the ground in one controlled movement. 

How to do it: As you approach the object or obstacle, crouch slightly. Then, while using your legs, spring up and pull your knees towards your chest. Your skates should lift off together and softly land in parallel. 

Safety tip: Practice on grass or with protective gear before you try it on pavement. 

4. Slalom Weave

The slalom weave is all about moving your skates in a side-to-side motion as you glide forward. It is a flowy trick that can build ankle strength and make you look like you are fluidly dancing through the cones. 

How to do it: Set up some cones about two feet apart. Begin with a forward glide as you get closer to them, and weave your skates in and out using your hips and ankles to control. Bend your knees slightly and keep your upper body relaxed. 

Why it’s worth it: This trick is the foundation for more complicated tricks and can teach you precise control of your edge work. 

5. The Backward Skate

Skating backward is one of the most impressive and useful inline skills because it can also serve as a gateway to more challenging spins. 

How to do it: Form a V-shape with your skates pointing outward and your knees bent. Alternate your pushes to glide backward while keeping your chest upright and looking over your shoulder. Practice in an open area until you feel you have a good sense of control.

Bonus challenge: Try to make your transitions from forward to backward skating smooth without stopping. 

Get Started Safely 

Before you try any tricks, make sure you are comfortable with basic skating fundamentals like balance, stopping, and turning. Practicing on smooth surfaces will help you feel more confident and stay away from injury. You can even check out some tutorial videos from professional skaters or join a local skating group. These groups are quite welcoming to beginners and can give you real-time feedback. 

Remember that every skater falls a lot. But, each time can teach you more about your center of gravity and push you to be resilient. At the end of the day, make sure you are being safe and having fun. Stock up on protective gear from a skate shop, and check out their cool skates to upgrade to as a reward as well!

Inline skating is more than just a fun way to get around—it’s also an exciting sport that offers plenty of opportunities to show off your skills. Whether you’re a beginner cruising the sidewalks or a more advanced skater hitting the skate park, there are plenty of tricks you can learn to impress your friends or challenge yourself. From basic moves to intermediate stunts, here are some awesome tricks you can pull off in inline skates.

1. The T-Stop

Before diving into flashy tricks, it’s essential to master stopping techniques. The T-Stop is one of the most common and useful maneuvers for beginners. It involves dragging one skate behind the other at a perpendicular angle, forming a “T” shape. This method slows you down smoothly and gives you more control—especially helpful before and after attempting tricks.

2. Jump (Bunny Hop)

The bunny hop is a foundational trick that helps build confidence and agility. Simply bend your knees and jump with both feet while rolling. Start small and try jumping over cracks or small objects. Once you’ve nailed it, you can work your way up to jumping curbs, cones, or even small ramps.

3. Slalom

If you’ve got good balance and edge control, try weaving in and out of cones or obstacles in a slalom pattern. This trick emphasizes fluid movement and control, and looks impressive when done smoothly at higher speeds. Slalom skating can also evolve into artistic freestyle skating, which combines rhythm, balance, and footwork.

4. Heel-Toe Manual

This trick involves balancing on one skate, with the front wheel (toe) of one foot and the rear wheel (heel) of the other touching the ground—essentially a wheelie on skates. It’s a great way to build balance and impress onlookers. Practice holding the position longer as you improve.

5. Grinds

Grinds are popular in aggressive inline skating and require a skate park or grindable surface like ledges or rails. One of the most basic grinds is the soul grind, where one foot is placed flat on the object while the other locks into a parallel position. More advanced grinds include the royale or acid soul, which require more balance and precision. Make sure to wear protective gear and practice on low ledges before attempting rails.

6. 180 and 360 Spins

Spinning tricks add flair to your skating and can be done off jumps or flat ground. A 180 is a half-turn in the air, landing backward, while a 360 is a full rotation. Start by practicing jumps and body rotation on flat ground, then move to ramps or slight slopes for added height.

7. Backwards Skating and Transitions

Being able to skate backwards (also called “switch skating”) opens the door to a variety of tricks and adds style to your runs. Learning to transition smoothly from forward to backward skating—and vice versa—can be both functional and flashy. The Mohawk turn and three-turn are two common ways to transition direction with control.

8. Powerslide

This high-speed stopping technique doubles as a stylish trick. The powerslide involves quickly turning one foot perpendicular to your motion while keeping the other slightly forward, sliding to a stop. It’s dramatic, effective, and fun once you’ve built up enough confidence and control.

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A Top Inline Skate Provder

Inline skating offers endless room for creativity and expression, and Crazy Skates provides all you could need. Whether you’re mastering a smooth slalom or pulling off a bold grind, every trick you learn builds your confidence and control. Start with the basics, wear your safety gear, and don’t be afraid to fall—because every great skater has taken a few tumbles along the way. With patience and practice, you’ll be pulling off impressive tricks in no time.