How to Stop Quickly Using Rollerblade Skates

Inline skating, or Rollerblading, is a fun and healthy activity that can benefit children, adults and senior citizens. Learning how to stop is important. You should not try to advance your skating skills unless you know how to stop first. There are different ways to stop for every skill level. Beginners should learn how to use the brakes that are attached to the skate, while intermediate and advanced skaters can use different techniques for stopping at high speeds or while going downhill.

Things You'll Need

  • Inline skates containing a brake on the back of at least one boot
  • Helmet
  • Elbow pads
  • Knee pads
  • Allen wrench
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Instructions

  1. Putting the brakes on, T-stop, and hockey stop

    • 1

      Lean back slowly onto the skate brake to decrease your speed until the skate wheels stop moving. Decrease speed before using the brake. This is the basic brake stop for beginners and even more advances skaters who prefer the brake over other stopping methods. Don't lean back too far, or you may fall backward, especially if you pass over pebbles or an uneven surface.

    • 2

      Place your back leg perpendicular to your forward-facing front leg, forming a T-shape. This is the intermediate T-stop, and is an effective way to stop when traveling downhill. It allows you to cut speed without fully stopping, while managing your speed on a decline surface.

    • 3

      Squat down, pointing your rear-end toward the ground. Put together both legs at a 45-degree angle, knees slightly bent, and lean back slightly as you slide and reduce speed until stopped. This is the hockey-style stop. This method, which allows you to change directions quickly, is more effective if you have soft wheels and are skating on a very smooth surface. It could be dangerous to attempt this on a coarse surface while skating downhill.