Aggressive skates are special types of inline skates used by expert skaters to play several advanced level tricks like grinding, jumping, sliding, and more. These are the tricks you cannot perform on free and plain roads; rather you need roads or ground stitched with obstacles, parks where you stair to grind, and the likes. You can and should start that type of skating when you have mastered the basic tricks to the list.

Therefore, mastering the techniques of how to stop on aggressive inline skates involves the advanced level techniques or the mid-level ones of inline speed skating.

We, in this short guide, will focus on stopping skills of advanced and intermediate stages of inline speed skating.

8 Expert Techniques to Stop on Aggressive inline Skates

Here you go with 8 pro-techniques to stop on aggressive inline skates like master skaters.

Wind-breaking Technique

As is made clear at the outset, aggressive skating is the fastest skating that means you will be running at break-neck speed then. Whether it is a windy day or not, you can windbreak to slow your motion and come to a complete halt sooner. A windy day will give you added convenience to stop like that. For an expert tip, wearing something like a jacket will also help you catch more wind and thus stop faster.

180 Degrees Twist

You can stop in a hurry even while at great speed. Suppose, you are gliding at great speed and spread your legs shoulder width. Now, keeping your toes pointing ahead; twist your body and hip by 180 degrees suddenly. Thus the spinning motion will slow down and you can stop faster if not then and there. Unlike the wind-breaking technique, you can apply this stopping method while gliding at full speed.

Twist Right & Left

Another method that may help you stop at crazy speed is to turn right and left sharply and immediately. While gliding at a great speed, just turn right sharply and without heading towards that direction, now turn left at equal sharpness. That will significantly slow you down and you can stop immediately. And the method easy is enough for the intermediate skaters to apply successfully.

Read: How to stop in rollerblades?

Curb Ramming

To begin with advanced technique, you can halt immediately amid high speed by skating towards a step or curb. And at reaching the curb or step, lift one skate up so that you can put the line of the skate hardly down. That should slow you down instantly but you need to brace yourself to protect against any possible hurting. For your information, this method of stopping in aggressive skating can damage your costly skates. So, apply this technique only when you badly need to stop in hurry.

But the top-quality aggressive inline skates made of carbon fibers will absorb the shock when they are not so frequent.

The Famous T-stop

T-stop is perhaps the most widely used stopping technique but an easy one to be practiced or tried by the mid-level skaters let alone the novices. While grinding, jumping, or performing other tricks you may need an immediate stop. So when on a plane ground, drag one of your legs back and turn the toes sideways.

Thus the skate in front will be approaching toward the traveling direction and in perpendicular to the hind skate. This will slow your momentum and if you press down the back skate hard, you will instantly come to a full stop. Again, this method may prove damaging to your skates.

Power Slide

When you are moving at a killer speed, if you make a very sharp turn to left or right, this will destroy the momentum. Now, if you keep traveling sideways, you will stop immediately as it will slow you down to a complete stop in seconds. This is possible only when you are running at a great speed and on a smooth plane. As for expert tip, keep your knee bent and lean back a bit to keep you as much balanced as possible.

Lifting Up Skates

When running at a high speed, you can try this to stop successfully. Lift one leg up and go forward for few steps in your traveling direction. Then again, lift the other leg and do the same before landing down the leg. Thus, you will glide to a complete stop but this is slower than other techniques told about above.

Use the Brake

This is the method master skaters depend on their brakes to stop like an expert. Unlike a novice or beginner, you put pressure on both of your heel brakes at the same time. Thus you will stop instantly and quickly but it involves the risk of falling. As a precaution, brace yourself while trying this method of stopping on aggressive speed skates.

Takeaway…

These are the techniques to apply while you are gilding on break-neck speed on aggressive skates. All these methods will require a certain level of skill as a skater and the last five techniques are for master skaters who can perform the aggressive skates tricks with ease. These are all about how to stop on aggressive inline skates.

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.  

Read More

• How to stop on aggressive inline skates?
• What are the best aggressive skates in the Market?
• Beginner skating tips
• How to choose roller blades size?

Rollerblades and aggressive skates are all a variation of inline speed skates. Now, if you encounter the question which should be your preference in the rollerblades and aggressive skates, an answer favoring one single type is pretty tough.

While rollerblades are preferred for distance and speed skating, it makes novice skaters struggle in keeping up.

On the other hand, aggressive skates offer control and amateur skaters can feel more stable. Moreover, you can play tricks better with aggressive skates.

Indeed, the dilemma of aggressive skates vs rollerblades is tough to overcome but not impossible with informed analysis.

Read on for more knowledge in this regard.

What are Aggressive Skates?

As is suggested already, aggressive skates are a special type of inline skates. But they stand out among the inline skates by dint of their ability to jump, slide, and grind more easily. Yes, these are the tricks for which people prefer aggressive skates to other types and it is the result of unique modifications made to them.

For the tricks to perform accurately, aggressive skates come mostly with 60mm wheels. The wheels of that size make playing tricks convenient by creating the low gravity center and the wearers can perform tricks comfortably.

But the problem with smaller wheels is the low pace which the youngsters are not okay with. So, some prefer the aggressive skates to be of at least 80mm wheels so that they can go long distances at a great speed.

As for materials, lightweight but tough plastic is the perfect one and the manufacturers go for it. Now a day, carbon fiber is going popular as it is both lightweight and helps perform stunts. But they are high-end products and pricier than the plastic models. Therefore, if you are after the best quality aggressive skates; carbon fiber ones are your cup of tea now.

You will find three different types of aggressive skates in the market that feature three different types of shells. And they are named as per the shell used:

• Soft shell Aggressive Skates
• Hard shell Aggressive Skates
• Skeletal Shell Aggressive Skates

What are Rollerblades?

Like aggressive skates, rollerblades are technically a sub-niche of the inline skates. So, sometimes you may be faced with a dilemma when both the terms are used synonymously. But rollerblades differ vastly from the inline skates and their other variations. That is what we are to know below.

Rollerblades are crucial in long-distance and ace skating. Note the word ace as you can go for long-distance skating with any inline roller skates but when you want to surf the roads with break-neck speed, it is the rollerblades type of skate shoes you want and needs.

As for the structure and making of these specialty skates, they are made with the axle lying along the length of your boot. There may have 3-5 wheels sliding into the plate of the skate while secured in its place by dint of a long and sturdy axle nut. As for look and control, most of the rollerblades model comes with sturdy high-top boot with a brake firmly attached on the right skate back. These features are pretty crucial to remember if you want to end up with the top-rated rollerblades from the product-studded sports goods stores. Rollerblades are the skates meant for hokey players. And the owner brothers of the Rollerblades company modeled the skates after a pair of old inline skates that immediately reminded them of offseason hockey players pastimes. Over the past few decades, rollerblades have become synonymous with speed skating for long distance.

Aggressive Skates vs Rollerblades – Which one to go for?

The differences between and the sameness of the two types of skates are pretty clear by now. None of them are superior to the other but they differ in the purpose and type of skating you want them to be with you. If the question is of which one to go for, the skill level, type of roller skating, and your level of experience can be best determining factor. Having said that there are factors to consider while facing the dilemma of rollerblades vs aggressive skates.

If you want to perform special kinds of tricks and want to enjoy maximum control while skating, aggressive skates will be by your side.

Conversely, when you want to skate over a long period and distance with break-neck speed; the rollerblades are your option.

Therefore, if you are a beginner and control in skating is your priority; go for aggressive skates.

And if you are a young and experienced skater and control is not your concern, you can rock on with the rollerblades.  

Takeaway

Rollerblades can be tougher for children to start with but is easier for learning skating well. And the aggressive skates are ideal for playing tricks and more maneuverable. So, it is a matter of choice rather than convenience when they are aggressive skates or rollerblades.