How to Use Rocker Rollerblades

Inline skates were invented as a means to simulate the ice skating experience on a paved or court surface. The designs improved over time, and eventually Rollerblade and other manufacturers offered skates that had "rockering" abilities. Rockering means the wheels could be raised or lowered inside the frame to simulate the curve (not just the motion) of an ice skate blade and improve maneuverability. Rockering the front and back wheels allows users, especially inline hockey players, to stop and turn much faster than if all four wheels were the same height, according to Inline Skate Resource.

Things You'll Need

  • Inline skates that have moveable positions for each wheel on the frame
  • Allen wrench
Show More

Instructions

  1. Positioning the Wheels

    • 1

      Unscrew the front and back wheels (or heel and toe wheels) using an Allen wrench. When the wheels are loose enough, slide them into the upper end of the axle hole on the frame of the skate. You should not have to completely remove the wheels. When the skate is help upright on the surface, the front and back wheels will be not quite touch the ground.

    • 2

      Push off each foot using the inside parts of the wheels, which is a normal stride for ice or inline skating. When your boots are at an angle, the two wheels that are raised will still touch the ground. But with your wheels in a rockering position, your strides will be less powerful than they were if all four wheels were at maximum height.

    • 3

      Turn, keeping your feet on the ground. As you slow down slightly before changing angles or directions, you should notice that you have stopped quicker, and are sliding less, than if all four wheels were the same height. There will be less friction when you cross one leg over the other one to move sideways without having to reposition the front of your body and lose momentum on your forward stride.