The most challenging, and often most intimidating, aspect of inline skating for novices is stopping. It's fairly easy to move in a forward direction; the trick always seems to be stopping when you want to—and where you want to. Nearly every model and brand of inline skates includes a braking system built into each boot.
Step 1
Skate at a slow speed in a forward direction.
Step 2
Bend your knees and shift your weight forward, so your knees are over the front toes of your skates.
Step 3
Ease your braking skate forward and your non-braking skate backward in a scissor-like motion.
Step 4
Tip the toe of the braking skate upward. Do this gently until the brake pad starts to contact the ground.
Step 5
Increase the pressure on the braking pad until you come to a full stop. Sink lower in a squat to add more weight to the brake.
Tips and Warnings
- Keep your rear, non-braking leg from moving in front of the braking skate. Practice stopping and holding your position for three seconds before repositioning your feet. This will help you gauge just how good your balance is for stopping at faster speeds.
- Practice braking at slower speeds before attempting to do so at a high speed. Avoid braking on hills until you are confident in your braking abilities.
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