How to Stop in Inline Skates

Inline skating is a great way to stay active and improve your mood. It’s a great pastime for both children and adults, though many adults find that as life gets busy, they never put their skates back on. Luckily, recent years have seen an uptick in the number of adult skaters as they remember what a great way it is to exercise and socialize. That being said, getting your old skates out also means you have to brush up on your technique to ensure your safety and reduce your risk of injury. One of the most important techniques to brush up on with your inline skates is stopping. Below, you will learn helpful tips on how to stop in inline skates. 

How to Stop in Inline Skates

Learning to stop is one of the most important skills for safety and control when inline skating. No matter if you are a beginner or expert, perfecting your stopping skills is important. There are several different ways to stop successfully. Consider the following and use the one that works best for you.

The “T” Stop Technique

The T-stop is a great stopping method as it provides skaters with a huge degree of control. When you are moving forward, keep your knees slightly bent. As you prepare to stop, lift one skate and place it behind the other. Your skates should form a “T” shape. Drag the back skate on the ground lightly and apply pressure gradually. To ensure you maintain your balance, keep the majority of your weight on your front skate. This helps you come to a controlled stop with ease. However, it can wear out your wheels a little faster.

The Plow Stop Technique

The plow stop is a common method to slow down and come to a halt when skating. It is a gradual stop, so if you have some time and space, it is an excellent option. As you are skating in a forward motion, be sure your feet are shoulder-width apart. Turn your knees inward and push your heels outward simultaneously. While you are doing this, bend your knees a little and apply pressure to the outside of your skates. This formation is the same as that used by skiers to stop when going down the slopes. However, this stopping technique is best done on flat surfaces for skaters.

Heel Brake Technique

If your inline skates have a heel, this is probably one of the easier stops to learn. Some skates do not come with them, so be sure to check before you get started practicing your stopping technique. When using this technique, keep your knees bent. Extend the skate with the brake slightly in front of your other skate. Press the heel break down by straightening the leg with the brake. Leaning slightly forward is helpful to ensure you maintain your balance. That being said, be sure to keep your weight centered to avoid flipping backward.

Tips for Perfecting Your Stopping Technique

If you are new to skating or putting your old skates back on, practicing your stopping technique is important. Consider the following as you begin your skating journey.

Start on Flat Pavement

Start practicing on a hard and flat surface. It is helpful to practice on open pavement to reduce your risk of injury. Once you find the techniques that work for you, then try stopping uphill and downhill to fully master your method.

Practice Frequently

The more you skate, the better you get at it. Similarly, the more you practice your stopping technique, the better you will be at stopping safely in your inline skates. After you warm up, practice the stopping techniques that work best for you. Keep practicing every time you skate until you fully get the hang of it.

Roller Skate Shop

If you want to get back to skating, check out the selection of roller skates at Crazy Skates today.