How to Stop in Figure Skating

Most aspiring figure skaters have probably noticed how many amateur skaters stop themselves by slamming into the sides of the skating rink. This is, obviously, an inappropriate figure skating stop. You must perform your stops with more grace and style. Here are two different stops that beginner figure skaters must learn.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Snowplow Stop

1. Stroke forward several times across the ice.

2. Bend your knees and glide across the ice, keeping your feet together.

3. Push one foot forward and turn that ankle, pushing your toe and knee inward and your heel out to the side.

4. Keep the flat, or the center of the blade, on the ice and push it across the ice until you stop.

T-Stop

5. Take several strokes forward and glide across the ice with both feet.

6. Keep your back straight and bend your knees.

7. Lift one skate off the ice and position it behind the skating foot so that it is perpendicular to the skating foot, making an upside down "T" with your skates.

8. Drag the back foot across the ice, using the outside edge of the blade until you stop.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice holding onto the side of the skating rink and scraping your foot across the ice to learn how your skate will feel when attempting a stop.
• Always stand with your back straight and your arms out to the side for balance when performing snowplow stops or T-stops.

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