Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - Teach me to in-line skate

Pyrate · 09-25-2003, 08:18 AM

First, wear elbow pads and so'm on yer hands. Then, be really, really brave, and start out skating on the streets. It gets you aware from the start and forces you into maneouvres a bit more complicated than just forwards backwards left right stop.

Second, don't start off slow. When I took up aggressive blading, I went down to my (then drained) paddling pool, counted to 3, and just went full speed up and down the curves for a full five minutes, shouting 'Superman' and 'Mister Flash! Yeah' (Don't ask...). This way I was used to the speed from early. And believe me, you WANNA be used to speed from the start, otherwise, when you're out practicing, you're gonna panic at the slightest recline in the road, and most probably stiffen up and (inevitably) fall over.

Thirdly, (I love this one), constantly look for 'escape routes' while on a skate session. Always try to have a 'way out', to help minimize the pain you'll suffer when you eventaully buckle up and crash. For example, you're going down a steep hill, don't ignore the lamp post, 'crash' into it. It's better than gaining speed and crashing into a bus at the crossing at the bottom!!! Looking for escape routes'll build up awareness.

As for technique, I tend to push directly forward in a sort of 'stamping' motion. This develops speed and is useful in wet conditions, where pushing outwards will mean certain death as you skid helplessly into that guy with the dog.

When turning, I tend to turn differently to most people. Say I wanted to turn left (My preferred turning side-although I'm right footed..) I turn (or shift) my left foot outwards. This will automatically turn you in the chosen direction without much exertion. It's also a neet way to turn because you can go directly into a backwards skating position from it, simply by moving the left foot backwards towards the end of the turn...

For stopping, use the T-stop. I dunno whut skates you got, but if they're the ones with the detachable brake pads on the back, then take off the pads and practise T-stop braking. This is basically using your weaker (in my case left) foot, and putting it in a sideways position behind your strong (in my case right) foot. The harder you press down on ur brake foot, the faster you'll stop. Oh, and don't forget to bend those knees while braking!

Bending of the knees also applies to skating at speed. While skating fast, down a hill, for example, BEND THE KNEES AND KEEP YOUR FEET WIDE APART! No, not that wide you moron, you don't wanna do the splits now! If your feet are too close together then the cursed 'speed wobble' will attack you weakened stability and proceed to throw you in whatever direction is likely to inflict on you the most pain. Leaning backwards event slightly will have a similar effect, except your feet will be taken from underneath you and thrown forward, exposing your tender and delicate buttocks to the hard and unrelenting texture that is concrete...

That's it from me really, and I hope you keep at it...

Good luck!

From a fellow skater.

09-25-2003, 08:18 AM	#7 (permalink)
Pyrate Psycho Location: London, CorBlimeyLand	First, wear elbow pads and so'm on yer hands. Then, be really, really brave, and start out skating on the streets. It gets you aware from the start and forces you into maneouvres a bit more complicated than just forwards backwards left right stop. Second, don't start off slow. When I took up aggressive blading, I went down to my (then drained) paddling pool, counted to 3, and just went full speed up and down the curves for a full five minutes, shouting 'Superman' and 'Mister Flash! Yeah' (Don't ask...). This way I was used to the speed from early. And believe me, you WANNA be used to speed from the start, otherwise, when you're out practicing, you're gonna panic at the slightest recline in the road, and most probably stiffen up and (inevitably) fall over. Thirdly, (I love this one), constantly look for 'escape routes' while on a skate session. Always try to have a 'way out', to help minimize the pain you'll suffer when you eventaully buckle up and crash. For example, you're going down a steep hill, don't ignore the lamp post, 'crash' into it. It's better than gaining speed and crashing into a bus at the crossing at the bottom!!! Looking for escape routes'll build up awareness. As for technique, I tend to push directly forward in a sort of 'stamping' motion. This develops speed and is useful in wet conditions, where pushing outwards will mean certain death as you skid helplessly into that guy with the dog. When turning, I tend to turn differently to most people. Say I wanted to turn left (My preferred turning side-although I'm right footed..) I turn (or shift) my left foot outwards. This will automatically turn you in the chosen direction without much exertion. It's also a neet way to turn because you can go directly into a backwards skating position from it, simply by moving the left foot backwards towards the end of the turn... For stopping, use the T-stop. I dunno whut skates you got, but if they're the ones with the detachable brake pads on the back, then take off the pads and practise T-stop braking. This is basically using your weaker (in my case left) foot, and putting it in a sideways position behind your strong (in my case right) foot. The harder you press down on ur brake foot, the faster you'll stop. Oh, and don't forget to bend those knees while braking! Bending of the knees also applies to skating at speed. While skating fast, down a hill, for example, BEND THE KNEES AND KEEP YOUR FEET WIDE APART! No, not that wide you moron, you don't wanna do the splits now! If your feet are too close together then the cursed 'speed wobble' will attack you weakened stability and proceed to throw you in whatever direction is likely to inflict on you the most pain. Leaning backwards event slightly will have a similar effect, except your feet will be taken from underneath you and thrown forward, exposing your tender and delicate buttocks to the hard and unrelenting texture that is concrete... That's it from me really, and I hope you keep at it... Good luck! From a fellow skater. __________________ ? Last edited by Pyrate; 09-25-2003 at 08:23 AM..