Best foot forward
Get used to wearing your skates in a safe place - somewhere you won't hurt yourself if you fall. Try the basic moves on a flat area, avoiding bumps, cracks and other people!
Setting off
Begin by balancing on each foot in turn so that you get used to shifting your weight from one side to the other. Start walking, with your feet turned out slightly, balancing first on one foot, then the other. Try pushing gently as you walk and you will find that you start to move. Bend your knees - it will help you to stop falling over and give you more control. Use your arms to help you balance but don't wave them about or you are likely to overbalance.
When you are moving, make your movements relaxed and smooth as though you are stroking the ground underneath you. When you are moving easily, then you are 'gliding'!
Stopping
You can't practise stopping until you have started moving, but you should know what to do before you set off!
There are three ways to stop and for each one you need to be in control. If you are out of control you are more likely to fall. The easiest way to stop is to use the heel brake on your skate. Have your brake-skate forward, and when the heel brake is parallel with the front wheel of your other skate, tilt your foot so the heel brake touches the ground. Remember to bend your knees.
A T-stop is a little harder but worth practising. It similar to a T-stop in ice-skating. Go through the movement first without your skates. Your front foot faces forward and you place your back foot at right angles to your front to make an upside-down T shape. Press down on the wheels of your back foot and they will stop you as they are now sideways on. Again, remember to bend your knees.
The third type of stop is by slowing down and doing a complete turn - but first you must practise turning!
Turns
Normal turns are not as difficult as they sound and will come naturally the more you skate. To turn to the left, turn your body and knees towards the left and put your weight on the inside edge of your right boot. To turn to the right reverse this manoeuvre. As you begin to 'feel' how your skates help you move, then turning will become easy.
A cross-over turn is more difficult and needs a little more speed. If you are turning left, put your weight onto the outside edge of your left boot, lift your right foot and cross it over in front of your left foot, putting in down on its inside edge. Push with your left foot as you lift it behind and bring it forward on the turn so that you can straighten up. Again practise this movement first without your boots and then try it with your boots in a safe place. Reverse this move to do a right cross-over turn.
Backward gliding and turns
When you have mastered going forwards you might like to try skating backwards. It is more difficult and you should make sure that you have an obstacle-free open space. With forward gliding, your feet are turned out slightly, but when you are skating backwards you toes and knees are usually turned inwards.
Going Further
When you have mastered some of the basic skills you might like to try skating around obstacles to practise some of your turns. If you are feeling you want more of a challenge you could find out about one of the options mentioned in About In-Line Skating, but don't try the stunts yourself - get professional help. There are many centres around the country where you can practise your skills safely. (See Information).
The Skatewise Code
To help you to skate safely, BISA, the British In-line Skating Association, has developed a Skatewise programme that includes this code of conduct:
- Stay alert and be courteous at all times
- Learn the basic manoeuvres - especially how to turn and how to stop
- Control your speed
- Keep to the left and overtake on the right
- Take care when passing pedestrians and give pedestrians priority when skating on pavements or footpaths
- Wear safety gear at all times, including wrist guards, knee and elbow pads, and a helmet
- Watch out for obstacles, uneven or broken pavements, water, oil etc.
- Avoid areas of motorised traffic
There aren't any national laws forbidding the use of roller skates on public highways and footpaths but there may be local by-laws forbidding the use of roller skates and skate boards in certain places. The local police can enforce these laws. Official skating places are found at leisure centres and indoor skating rinks; unofficial skating places include areas with no cars, that are safe and fun. Contact BISA for advice about where to skate in your area. (See Information)
