How to Control Speed on Rollerblades

There's no feeling quite like cruising along on your rollerblades with the wind in your hair and the road passing underfoot. Unfortunately, there's also no feeling like taking a spill at high speeds on your inlines. For this reason, it's important to know how to control your rollerblade speed.

Instructions

    • 1

      Skate and then coast to stay under control as you gain speed. Establish a pattern, such as pushing off each rollerblade then times and then gliding for a short distance.

    • 2

      Apply the brakes. If you're losing control, bend your knee and extend the toe of your braking foot up until the brake touches the ground. Lean your torso forward so you maintain good balance. Allow a few seconds for the braking to slow you. If you find that you're still going too fast, add slightly more pressure to your braking foot.

    • 3

      Use the "T-stop" as you coast or when you're going downhill by making sure you have a solid based stance. Put one rollerblade (usually your stronger, more natural foot) behind the other at a 90-degree angle so that the blade of your stopping skate drags along the ground. To apply more pressure, extend your braking foot back further and push down so that you can brake harder while maintaining control.

    • 4

      Do figure-8s down a steep hill on which you might lose control. To turn to the right, allow your right rollerblade to drift slightly ahead of the left blade and bend your knees. As you get to a position where your rollerblades are almost perpendicular to the slope of the hill, switch sides so that you turn left by putting the left skate in front. Continue your figure-8s down the hill to control your speed.