How To Stop On Inline Skates [Guide]

If you’re willing to learn how to stop on inline skates, then this guide is for you!

If you know how to stop safely on inline skates, you’ll be able to enjoy the many activities without worrying about getting hurt or damaging your skates.

There are different ways to stop on inline skates. Hence, in this article, we’ll share all the different ways to choose the best method according to your skating style and ability.

How To Stop On Inline Skates

There are different ways to stop on inline skates: Heel brake, T-stop, V-stop, spin 180 degrees, slalom, Curb, Intermediate technique, and using the wall.

Let’s take a look at each of these methods in detail:

Heel brake:

This is the most common and best way to stop on inline skates. In roller skates, you’ll see a toe stop in front of the skates, but in inline skates, there’s a heel stop at the back of the skate.

To use the heel brake, you must lean back on your skates and dig your heel into the ground. This will create friction and cause you to slow down or come to a stop.

To do this easily, you can place one leg in front of the other and then use your back leg to dig into the ground. This will give you more leverage and make it easier to stop.

You can use this brake to slow down or come to a complete stop. The advantage of this brake is that it’s easy to use and gives you good control over your speed.

Note: Before you do this, make sure you know how to balance on skates because if you’re not balanced, you might fall over.

T-stop:

The T-stop, also known as toe drage, is another great way to stop on inline skates. However, you should not always use this method as it can damage your wheels. You can learn this method as a backup in case you need to stop quickly.

To do this stop, you’ve to drag your one foot behind and make it like a T-shape. This will cause your other foot to stop because of the friction.

Make sure to apply the pressure on your back foot, which is in the T-shape, as per your need and riding speed.

This method is best used when you’re going down a hill or need to come to a complete stop.

V-stop:

This method is perfect for you if you want to stop the skate slowly and safely.

To do this, you must place your feet in a V shape by spreading them out. This position will naturally make you slow down because of the friction between your wheels and the ground.

Spin 180 degrees:

This advanced method should only be used if you’re confident in your skating skills.

To do this, you need first to build up some speed and then quickly spin yourself 180 degrees around so that you’re facing the opposite direction.

This method can be used when you’re riding on a flat surface or going down a hill.

Slalom:

If you’re riding at high speed and you feel out of control, you can use this method to slow down quickly.

To do this, you need to turn left to right sharply while skating. This will cause you to slow down because of the friction.

Be sure the road or surface is clear before you do this, as it can be dangerous if people or obstacles are around you.

Curb:

You can use the curb method if you’re going at medium speed and need to stop quickly.

To do this, you need to lift your one leg up and place it on the curb. This will cause your other leg to stop because of the friction.

Make sure to apply little pressure and not to do this every time as it can damage your skates.

Intermediate technique:

If you’re a beginner and riding at a slow speed, you can use this method to stop. It’s actually a windbreaking technique in which you need to spread your legs wide apart while skating.

To do this, you need to open your hand and legs while skating, which will create wind resistance and cause you to slow down.

If you think of stopping quickly, this will not work for you as it takes some time to slow down.

Wall Support:

This is a beginner technique and can only be used if you’re going at a slow speed.

If you’re riding near a wall, you can place your one hand on the wall to support yourself. This will help you to maintain balance and stop skating.

If you use roller skates you can also read how to stop on roller skates.

Additional Tips:

• Always skate in a well-lit area to see obstacles clearly in your path.
• Avoid skating on wet or slippery surfaces as it can be dangerous.
• Always wear protective gear such as a helmet, and elbow and knee pads to avoid injuries.
• Practice stopping techniques in an empty area before using them in traffic.
• Be aware of your surroundings and skating conditions at all times.

Following these tips can be safe and confident while skating on inline skates.

Also learn the difference between roller skates and inline skates.

Conclusion

There are many ways to stop on inline skates. The best way to stop will depend on your skating level, speed, and the surface you’re skating on. Be sure to practice each method so that you’re prepared for any situation. And always skate with caution, as stopping can be tricky and dangerous if not done correctly.

Now that you know how to stop on inline skates go out and enjoy skating!