As for control on inline skating, there are several ways to stop and you need to master the techniques to enjoy skating to its full. As is said, achieving tremendous speed and greater control are the two key skills in inline skating. Today, we will focus on how to stop on inline speed skates that is how to master the greater control while skating in break-neck speed.
In fact, stopping on inline skating while running apace is a challenge for the novice and the master skaters too think of safety at stoppage. Stopping on speed skates involves using brakes and other techniques.
Four Methods of Stopping on Inline Speed Skating
Whereas how to use brakes remains the same both for masters and amateurs, the other techniques include starter techniques, intermediate techniques, and advanced stopping techniques.
In this guide, we will elaborate on four different methods of stopping techniques that can enable you to master speed skates stoppages.
However, top quality speed inline skates along the helmet and knee pads are crucial to stopping on speed gliding.
Learn to Apply Heel Brake
You will have brakes in the inline skates and you must learn to use them to stop while skating. The position of the brakes will vary as rollerblades do have brakes in the back of the skates and the roller skates have them in the front. Now, you know where the brakes of your skates stay. So, learn how to apply them properly.
Read: Factors to consider before choosing the right speed roller skate
To stop with the brake at the back, stretch out one leg forward and keep the other leg back while shifting all the weight downward by bending the knee as if to sit down. Thus the center of gravity will shift on the heel of the bent leg.
Now, it is your stretched front leg that will do the job by pressing the heel brake forcibly against the pavement or ground. You can extend the foot more if you feel it is convenient to press with the intensity you want. If you want an instant stop, press harder and for a slow halt, press gently.
Do not loosen the pressure until you reach a complete halt. Thus, stopping on by using the brakes will make the passers-by around be aware of you from the squealing sound.
Read: Rules of Short track speed skating
Starter Techniques to Stop on Skating Safely
The beginner can apply so many techniques to halt while skating and these efforts involve zero or minimal risk but a considerable amount of practice. As a novice, you can try as many as three following ways:
Running Out: You can stop over a patch of grass, gravel, or dirt while running very fast on your skates. The uneven or rough texture of the ground will reduce your running speed and end up stopping you completely.
Heading Towards Wall/Railing/Stairs: You can head towards a wall or railing by extending your arms ahead so that your body or head does not hit the wall or whatever you have run onto. Thus how you can stop at any speed but you need to be careful if and when you are running at high speed.
V-Stop or Plow Stop: Another effective way to stop gradually is to stretch out your legs as wide as your shoulder and then turn the front parts towards each other. Thus the skates will collide head-on and stop running.
This will cause you fall requiring you to be ready beforehand mentally so that you may bend your knees and use elbows as protectors.
Intermediate Techniques to Stop on
Intermediate techniques are the ways that require you to reach at least mid-level as a skater.
Wind-breaking: While running at a speed put both the legs evenly and spread out the arms. Thus how you can block the wind blowing against you and the ghastly wind will slow your speed down leading to a complete halt. As this will take time, you should not give it a try when an instant halt is urgent.
Spin Around 180 degrees: Spread the legs wider than your shoulder width. Now, rotate your body and waist keeping your toes pointing forward. Turning up to 180 degrees should bring you to a halt. But you should start practicing this technique at a slow speed in the beginning and before mastering the trick completely; you better not try it at a faster speed.
Slalom Stop: The safest and best way to stop at high speed is the slalom technique to turn sharply both in right and left direction one after another. This will slow the pace down and you can stop with flair.
Advanced Techniques of stopping on Skating
These are the ways you should apply only when you have glided a considerable length of time and gained sufficient control on inline skating.
Curb Ramming: This is an advanced technique and you can stop immediately by taking advantage of any step or curb. While skating, turn towards a curb or step and when the wheels are even with the curb or step, bang them over it. This will stop you instantly requiring you to brace yourself with your hands against impact. While this way will bring you immediate stop, it is damaging for the skates.
T-stop: This is the most famous or widely applied stopping technique. You can bring one leg back and turn it in a way so that the wheels of the front skate remain perpendicular to the wheel line of this one. Make sure that the front skate is running in the traveling direction. Now, put pressure downward to slow the momentum leading to a complete stop.
Hockey Stop/Power Slide: Bring both the legs closer and turn left and right while the forward march is on. Then, keep sliding sideways till your momentum goes down to zero. Keeping your knees a bit bent will make the trick easier. It is more effective while running at high speed.
Stepping Backward and Forward: One of the most advanced techniques only the master skaters can play. In this step, you left your legs one by one to bring down on the ground again and thus slow your pace down. This is quite critical as you have to do this while your forward gliding is on.
Leaning Back on the go: While speed skating forward; tilt your body back to put pressure on both heels. This will pressure down the brakes until the skates come to a full stop. You need to be careful not to fall down.
Takeaway…
Yes, most of the techniques are critical and involve safety issues. But practicing with confidence and sharp guidance may help master the most advanced techniques. And the good practice of the mentioned techniques is the answer to how to stop on inline speed skating.
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