How to roller skate

How do I learn to roller skate? How do I get started? What's the trick?

Roller skating is all about shifting your weight from one foot to the other: Stand in a T-stand, shift most of your weight onto your back foot, then lift your lead foot and step forward onto it, lightly lifting your back foot as you go. Then step forward at an angle onto the other foot. Repeat.

Easier said than done? read on...

Before You Begin

First things first, check those skates! Make sure they're in good shape and adjusted properly. Make sure all the wheels spin, that the stoppers are solidly in place, and that your trucks are not too loose, or too tight.
Find a good spot. Indoor is ideal - at the roller rink, not in your kitchen. To learn outdoors you'll want to find a very smooth, flat, surface with no debris; away from cars, hills, gravel, and unexpected dogs. Tennis and basketball courts work well. It's worthwhile going over the area and removing any twigs and rocks before you get started. A quick sweep is a good idea.
Lace up! Tap your back wheels on the ground to get your heels as far back into the skates as possible, and tighten your skates so they're snug but still comfy.
Gear up (safety first!) with knee pads, elbow pads, wrist guards, and a helmet. You'll learn faster and have more fun with the added protection. Trust us, you'll thank yourself later.

Mastering the T-Stand

Get comfy with the T-stand! Place your feet in a “T” shape: your left heel (or right, whichever feels best) should be at a 90-degree angle to the center of your other foot. Butt your heel into the other skate, into the arch, and keep your legs tight together. This position keeps your feet from slipping out from under you, and keeps you from rolling away. Use this stance whenever you're standing still on your roller skates.

Ready to Roll? Here's How to Get Moving!

Striding

Start in that trusty T-stand. Now, shift most of your weight onto your back foot, then lift your lead foot (the one with the heel butted into your other foot) and step forward onto it, lightly lifting your back foot as you do. This should get you gliding slightly on your lead foot. When the glide slows down, put your back foot down in front, aiming 45º away from where you were going. Lift your lead foot while pushing off a little with it, glide on your other foot, and repeat the process. If you gain enough speed you can stop striding and put your feet parallel to each other, to glide for a bit. Keeping one foot slightly ahead of the other while gliding will give you extra front/back stability. Don't bring your feet too close to each other, you don't want the wheels from one foot to touch the wheels from the other foot.

Keep your steps small, and make sure your feet stay underneath you. Keep those knees bent and your weight on the balls of your feet. Oh, and remember to breathe!

Striding is all about shifting your weight from one foot to the other. Once you've got the hang of stepping, start focusing on pushing off with the opposite foot for smoother stronger strides.

Bubbles

Here's a fun one! Start with your feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, hands in front of you, and your weight evenly distributed. Keeping all your wheels on the ground, shift your weight to the inside edges of your skates (inner wheels, knees in), and try to bring your toes together while letting yourself glide forward. Before your skates touch, shift your weight to the outside edges (outer wheels, knees out) and push your skates apart toes first. Repeating those 2 motions will propel you forward while your feet will trace “bubble' shapes as you roll forward. This technique is easier if you're already rolling a little.

How to stop on roller skates (Because Eventually, You'll Need To)

Front Stopper Stop

For this one, you'll need to be pretty good at gliding on one foot. To practice, pick up some speed, shift your weight to one foot, and lift the other. Glide along and repeat with the other foot until you've got it down.

When you're ready, glide on your strong foot and lightly drag the stopper on your other foot. It might bounce around at first, but practice until you can control it and keep it on the ground. Then, start applying more pressure for a faster stop.

Plow Stop

Once you're a bubble-master, transitioning to a plow stop is a breeze.

Make a big bubble—spread those skates out way past shoulder-width. Drop your rear, then push your toes inward, and heels out, applying pressure on the inside edges. Your skates will come together, and you'll come to a stop before they actually touch. Practice at low speeds, and once you've nailed it, try stopping from higher speeds.

How to Get Up After a Fall

The easiest way to get back on your feet is from your hands and knees. If you land on your bum, roll over onto your hands and knees before trying to stand. From there, lift one knee, plant your wheels or stopper down, and push yourself up.

Skating Tips and Tricks

Feeling like you might fall backward? Touch your knees!—this makes you lean forward and can save you from a spill.
Keep your knees bent and lean slightly forward.
Don't forget to breathe!