How to Do a T-Stop on Ice Skates

Learning a T-stop in figure skating allows you to stop quickly and precisely, and helps you to gain more control on the ice. An elegantly executed T-stop can win points from the judges, so learn to employ it with precision.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Make a T with your feet by putting one behind the other. Your front foot should be facing forward with its heel against the side of the back foot.

2. Hold your right arm in front and your left arm back in the T-stop position. If you're leading with your left foot, lead with your left arm instead. Keep your arms in this position throughout the T-stop.

3. Practice figure skating forward on your front foot while you hold your back foot up above the ice. Do this until you can control where you're going and balance correctly.

4. Drop your back foot down, angling your back boot's blade toward your front to start your T-stop.

5. Bend your knees as you gently press down with the back blade while figure skating. You should stop almost immediately.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're spinning and need to make a T-stop, try reversing the position of your arms.
• Never drag your back foot on the ice or angle the back figure skating blade outward. Push the blade slightly forward instead.

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