How to Slow Down and Stop When Roller Skating

Roller skating is a fun pastime. It is easy to learn and fun to do. While roller blades have become prominent, roller skates are still fun. Slowing down and stopping is easy.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Roller Skates
• Safety Gear (wrist guards, helmet, knee pads, etc).

1. This picture shows someone skating around cones. This is a good method to practice speed management. To slow down while roller skating, an easy method is to turn. Turning causes friction, which will slightly slow down the skater. A linking turns back and forth, or in a slalom, will help control speed as you skate.
2. The brake is the round rubber pad at the front of the skate. Another method to control speed is using the brake on the front of the skate. This will slow you down, but using the brake while moving too fast will cause you to trip and fall. Use the brake lightly to slow down if moving fast, or to stop when moving slow.
3. A method of stopping while moving relatively fast is to turn in a circle. When skating, turn left or right in a small, full circle. This will stop your forward momentum and allow for you to quickly and safely stop. Do not use this method if you are a beginner or are moving very fast, as it is easy to lose balance and fall.

Tips & Warnings

• Learning to roller skate takes patience. Don't quit because of a fall.
• Do not move too fast when learning to skate, stopping at higher speeds is more difficult and you may fall.
• Wear safety gear to prevent injury.