Sledge

I can get around without falling down sometimes, but I'd love to become REALLY REALLY GOOD.

How do I get from here to there? (And by the way, what IS really really good on rollerblades?)

JusticeForPhat

I only used mine for transportation, not tricks. I have thus traded them in for my new lowrider bicycle.

My method was to go out on a tennis court and try to get from one end to the other. Its kinda a hard motion to describe but you basically use one foot, turned at an angle, to push yourself forward. And switch. And try not to eat shit. Kinda like riding a bike really I just went out there and beat the hell out of myself for a day or two and kinda picked it up from there.

note: dont try jumping off stuff until you are pretty good at going in a straight line. Took me a bruised rib to learn that one.

Hard8s

Its alot like learning to ski. Alot of falling down and getting back up. Best thing is to get ALL the pads and have someone show you how to do it.

__________________
If ignorance is bliss, then wipe this smile off my face!

irateplatypus

eat your pride and wear pads for a while. you'll have more courage to do the things you want to try, plus you'll be able to do them more often. once you get them down pat, then you can take the nerdy stuff off.

but... always wear a helmet when doing anything remotely dangerous, no matter how good you are.

__________________
If you will not fight when your victory will be sure and not too costly, you may come to the moment when you will have to fight with all the odds against you and only a precarious chance for survival. There may even be a worse case. You may have to fight when there is no hope of victory, because it is better to perish than to live as slaves.

~ Winston Churchill

Thraeryn

It's basically been said. Buy and wear all the pads, especially the wrist guard things, and then find a flat, quiet spot and try all the wacky shit you wanna try. Try REAL HARD not to twist anything, because that and a pipe to the ribs are about all that the pads won't protect you from.

Sledge

Mmm. Good advice, guys, thanks.

I think I'll hit up someone in my dorm who owes me a favor and force them to spend a day teaching me stuff. I have the basics down, I just want someone to EMULATE technique-wise.

Pyrate

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.

__________________
?

numist_net

been on mine almost nonstop for 6 years... after you've mastered whats in the post above, the only way to get better is to use them all the time, and keep yourself just outside your comfort zone, otherwise you'll never take the risks necessary to learn more.

Oh yeah, and keep some bandages handy...

jwoody

Never owned rollerblades but used to ride a skateboard for many years and in my experience a set of wristpads and elbow pads are essential for newbs and pros alike.

It's human nature to stick your hands out when you fall.

One final thing, the 'balls out' approach is the only way to goodness.

__________________
.