Inline Skating Basics

Before you go skating for the first time it is important to understand the basics of the sport. It’s a good idea to properly fit your skates and protective gear before you attempt to skate. Learning the introductory skating maneuvers will ensure you have a good experience.

We recommend watching the entire series of videos before you head out to skate for the first time. This series of videos covers the introductory skills required to start skating safely. After watching the videos, practice each skill until you are comfortable with them before moving to more difficult terrain or more populated areas.

Make sure you are on a flat surface and that you have a lot of free space around you. If you need to, you can use something like a pole, handrail or fence to help you get to a standing position.

If you feel unsteady, try bending your knees more to put your weight more forward in your stance. Remember to take things slow until you are comfortable with all of your basic skating skills.

Turning is important to maneuver around obstacles and can help you slow down as well. The faster you are rolling, the more aggressively you will turn so be careful when practicing these turns at speed.

Learning speed control and how to stop with a brake takes practice. A skate brake pad doesn’t slow or stop you like a mechanical car or bicycle brake. It requires technique. Practice the braking motion first on a flat non-rolling surface like a rug or flat grass. Once you are comfortable with the motion, move to a perfectly flat rolling surface such as an indoor floor or outdoor basketball court. Do not attempt to skate down a slight slope or incline without mastering the ability to slow and stop yourself with the brake first.