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Nervous and worried skaters tend to tense
up and skate very stiffly. This will slow your progress and lessen the
freedom of movement that this sport can offer. As children generally
have little fear of skating they will generally progress quicker than
adults ! Bend/Soften your knees just a little. Stand with your skates/inlines in a slight V position (i.e. heels closer together than toes), and lift your legs one at a time slightly off the ground progressing forward ... now you should be skating ! Skating is achieved by lifting your legs and pushing (eventually) not by sliding.
DO NOT LEAN FORWARD !! The heaviest single part off your body is your head, and your upper torso can also carry a reasonable weight. For maximum balance keep as much of your weight over your skates/inlines as you can to give the most amount of downward pressure. Don't through your arms around, as the weight of your arms changing direction can destabilize your balance. Try to keep them relaxed and in a constant position preferably by you side. In speed skating a certain amount of
leaning forward is necessary, however, if you are doing speed hopefully
you have a coach or a club to help you with this technique. Practice as much as possible As skating is a balance sport the more
you time you spend doing it the more you will improve and the more
comfortable you will be (with or without coaching help). Try advancing
some of your moves in your own time.
Stopping If you're only starting out DO NOT T-STOP, as that technique will come later! Generally it requires you to be able to balance comfortably first! The easiest way to stop is using scissor
actions! (i.e. a wide circular movement made with both feet firmly on
the ground. Start with both feet together and rolling them a little
wider. Put a little bit of pressure on your quad muscles, then roll them
back in again. Repeat this action for as long as necessary. This
movement is very similar to a snow plough. Try to learn backwards skating at the same time as forwards, its actually no harder. You might like to use a rail or some kind
of support to hang on to while trying this for the first few times.
Start with your skates/inlines in a backwards V position (i.e.
toes point in), then push out using your quad muscles and pull in using
your inner thigh muscles to create a circular or oval motion
finishing with your heels almost touching. This again is a scissor
action. Do remember all the same principles as forward skating like not
leaning forward etc.
It is possible to achieve a freedom of movement that is unlike any other sport. The sport is good for you as it's a low impact and a great Cardiovascular work out !
If you would like any other help feel free to contact Westies On Wheels on the link below. Back to the Learn To Skate Arena
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