How to roller skate for beginners: stance, first strides, falling and getting up

TUREFF• •0

Learning to roller skate is mostly about two things: trusting a bent-knee stance and getting comfortable with falling. Once those click, gliding follows quickly. This guide works for quads and inlines alike; where they differ, it says so.

Before you start

Put on your helmet, wrist guards, knee pads and elbow pads every time.
Pick a flat, smooth surface with no slope: a rink, an empty sports court or a quiet car park. Even a gentle slope is hard to manage on the first day.
Lace or buckle the skates firmly around the ankle so your foot does not move inside the boot.

Standing up for the first time

Start on carpet or grass if you can, where the wheels will not roll.

Stand with your feet about hip-width apart.
Bend your knees as if sitting into a small chair, so they are over your toes.
Lean your chest slightly forward and keep your weight over the middle of your feet.
Hold your arms out in front of you, a little wide, for balance.

This is the ready position, and it is the answer to nearly every wobble. Standing straight with locked knees is what sends beginners backwards.

Marching and the first glide

On the smooth surface, from the ready position:

March on the spot: lift one foot a few centimetres, put it down, then the other. Get used to the wheels under you.
March forward: small steps, toes turned slightly out in a V. You will start to move.
Glide: after a few steps, keep both feet on the ground and let yourself roll, knees still bent.

The first real strides

Skating is pushing to the side, not stepping forwards like walking.

From the ready position with toes slightly out, push one skate out to the side and a little back, using the whole set of wheels, not the toe.
Shift your weight onto the other skate and glide on it.
Bring the pushing foot back underneath you.
Push with the other foot.

Keep strides short at first. Look ahead, where you want to go, not at your feet.

Falling safely

Everybody falls. Practising it on purpose takes away much of the fear.

When you feel yourself going, crouch lower straight away. A short fall hurts less.
Fall forwards where you can, onto your knee pads, then wrist guards. Try not to fall backwards onto your tailbone or head.
Keep your fingers curled or loose rather than locking your arms straight to catch yourself.
Practise from standing still: drop gently to one knee, then both knees, then forward onto your wrist guards.

Getting up

Roll onto your hands and knees.
Bring one foot up so the skate is flat on the ground between your hands, wheels down.
Bring the other foot up the same way.
Push up with your hands on your knee, keeping knees bent, and rise into the ready position.

Do not try to stand straight up from sitting. The skates will roll out in front of you.

Common beginner mistakes

Straight legs: bend more than feels natural.
Looking down: your body follows your eyes.
Leaning back: on quads this sends the skates forward from under you.
Waving arms: keep them calm and in front.
Skipping stops: learn at least one way to stop before you go anywhere with traffic, people or slopes.

How long it takes

Most people can glide a few metres in their first session and skate laps after a few more. Short, frequent sessions work better than one long, tiring one; fatigue is when falls become heavier. What was the hardest part of your first time on skates? Ask questions or share tips for other beginners in the comments.