Teach me how to rollerblade!
January 5, 2012 3:31 PM Subscribe
How can I teach myself how to rollerblade?
I cannot ride a bike, ice skate or rollerblade so I think I am missing some probably fundamental lessons on balance. I watched a couple of youtube videos but I don't need lessons on how to move, I just need help balancing first! At the moment, I am clutching desperately onto walls and chairs as i slowly drag myself across my apartment. Please help me, MeFi.
I cannot ride a bike, ice skate or rollerblade so I think I am missing some probably fundamental lessons on balance. I watched a couple of youtube videos but I don't need lessons on how to move, I just need help balancing first! At the moment, I am clutching desperately onto walls and chairs as i slowly drag myself across my apartment. Please help me, MeFi.
It's much easier to balance if you're moving a little bit. Your best bet is to find an uncrowded parking lot or similar and practice going short distances, ideally with a friend. Wear wrist guards or gloves if nothing else; they'll help you catch your falls safely. Basic balance really is not something that can be taught with a verbal description, but with practice. But you'll be surprised by how quickly you learn.
posted by deadweightloss at 3:37 PM on January 5, 2012 [2 favorites]
posted by deadweightloss at 3:37 PM on January 5, 2012 [2 favorites]
Bend your knees and lean forward at the waist. If you try to stand up straight you will fall backwards.
I totally agree with brainmouse. Go out somewhere flat and just go. You'll fall a bunch but that's what the pads are for.
posted by TooFewShoes at 3:39 PM on January 5, 2012
I totally agree with brainmouse. Go out somewhere flat and just go. You'll fall a bunch but that's what the pads are for.
posted by TooFewShoes at 3:39 PM on January 5, 2012
I grew up on ice skates, so I got the reflexes early on, but I was recently at an ice skating rink watching kids learn, sooo...
The trick they were using to teach the kids was giving them a traffic cone to hang on to. The cone slid smoothly across the ice, and gave the kids something solid to hold out in front of them at a place that made them bend in to the right balance posture. Bent knees, bent over torso, weight forward.
You want to be forward, your weight on the balls of your feet. As brainmouse mentioned, trust your pads, you should be able to fall on them at fifteen or twenty miles an hour and just slide, which is reason to have your weight forward: so you can choose to fall on them. Practice this. Practice going down on to your hands and wrist guards, in a way that you're spread out enough to slide on them.
Also know that there's a speed at which you can stop easily. It feels like walking, and it feels safe. Your big improvement will come when you can get past that feeling, when your safety comes from your ability to control where you go, rather than to stop.
Even as someone who grew up on ice skates and who skied extensively, getting past that feeling when I was on concrete and asphalt was a huge breakthrough.
posted by straw at 3:41 PM on January 5, 2012 [1 favorite]
The trick they were using to teach the kids was giving them a traffic cone to hang on to. The cone slid smoothly across the ice, and gave the kids something solid to hold out in front of them at a place that made them bend in to the right balance posture. Bent knees, bent over torso, weight forward.
You want to be forward, your weight on the balls of your feet. As brainmouse mentioned, trust your pads, you should be able to fall on them at fifteen or twenty miles an hour and just slide, which is reason to have your weight forward: so you can choose to fall on them. Practice this. Practice going down on to your hands and wrist guards, in a way that you're spread out enough to slide on them.
Also know that there's a speed at which you can stop easily. It feels like walking, and it feels safe. Your big improvement will come when you can get past that feeling, when your safety comes from your ability to control where you go, rather than to stop.
Even as someone who grew up on ice skates and who skied extensively, getting past that feeling when I was on concrete and asphalt was a huge breakthrough.
posted by straw at 3:41 PM on January 5, 2012 [1 favorite]
Bend your knees and lean forward at the waist. If you try to stand up straight you will fall backwards.
This, basically. The lower your center of gravity, the easier it will be to balance. Also, an uneven surface like carpet is not really helpful so get to an empty (flat) parking lot if you can.
posted by juv3nal at 4:16 PM on January 5, 2012
This, basically. The lower your center of gravity, the easier it will be to balance. Also, an uneven surface like carpet is not really helpful so get to an empty (flat) parking lot if you can.
posted by juv3nal at 4:16 PM on January 5, 2012
I have to disagree, parking lots are awful. Most of them are on a noticeable slope (noticeable in that you will be going Too Fast in one direction, and working much harder just to go forward in the other direction). Also, parking lots tend to have crud in them... gravel, leaves, road salt, and (I'm not making this up) spent bullet casings. This is all stuff which will trip you up, and also destroy your wheels.
Instead, you should go to a proper skating rink. One rink near(ish) me has a sort of open lesson, which is cheap and drop in and doesn't involve much personal instruction but gives you the opportunity to skate in a non-crowded environment. If you don't have that option, then you could either do normal lessons, or go to the least crowded session, or go on adult night (more crowded, but you feel less bad about smashing into an adult). If you want to post your location, you can probably get recommendations for skating rinks nearby.
posted by anaelith at 7:10 PM on January 5, 2012
Instead, you should go to a proper skating rink. One rink near(ish) me has a sort of open lesson, which is cheap and drop in and doesn't involve much personal instruction but gives you the opportunity to skate in a non-crowded environment. If you don't have that option, then you could either do normal lessons, or go to the least crowded session, or go on adult night (more crowded, but you feel less bad about smashing into an adult). If you want to post your location, you can probably get recommendations for skating rinks nearby.
posted by anaelith at 7:10 PM on January 5, 2012
The main thing is that your feet should not be parallel. If you can be dragged around, you're doing it all wrong. Point the toes out, like this: \ /
To move, don't step forward like you're walking; instead push one foot back and out. That back foot -- the one you're pushing back and out -- should remain stationary (because it's angled perpendicular to the push) as you roll forward on the front foot. It's sort of like doing shallow lunges, only you move forward on account of you're on wheels.
As you push with the back foot and roll on the front foot, your weight should transfer from the back foot to the front foot. Lift the back foot, move it to the front, and repeat.
posted by Sys Rq at 7:56 PM on January 5, 2012
To move, don't step forward like you're walking; instead push one foot back and out. That back foot -- the one you're pushing back and out -- should remain stationary (because it's angled perpendicular to the push) as you roll forward on the front foot. It's sort of like doing shallow lunges, only you move forward on account of you're on wheels.
As you push with the back foot and roll on the front foot, your weight should transfer from the back foot to the front foot. Lift the back foot, move it to the front, and repeat.
posted by Sys Rq at 7:56 PM on January 5, 2012
Ok, I don't know if this transfers to blades (I skate on quads) but if you can't get the "push foot out, lift foot, place it back motion" going -- which is hard at first, since you have to balance on one skate while you are bringing that foot back in, start with keeping all wheels on the ground. Move forward by moving your legs in and out in a "scissor" motion. If that's not clear, think about making figure-8s with your skates (but not crossing your legs, each leg is making half of the 8). Here's a video that demonstrates (starting at ~1:27).
posted by theRussian at 8:33 PM on January 5, 2012
posted by theRussian at 8:33 PM on January 5, 2012
Nthing going to a skating rink and humbly strapping on the 2x2s.
Skate around a little bit, watch other people do it, grab that wall, lose that self consciousness, and skate your ass off.* Don't be afraid to fall!
If I could learn to do it as a little kid, you can for sure learn it as an adult.
*Humming '70s funk to yourself is completely optional.
posted by Sphinx at 10:11 PM on January 5, 2012
Skate around a little bit, watch other people do it, grab that wall, lose that self consciousness, and skate your ass off.* Don't be afraid to fall!
If I could learn to do it as a little kid, you can for sure learn it as an adult.
*Humming '70s funk to yourself is completely optional.
posted by Sphinx at 10:11 PM on January 5, 2012
If you can walk and run then there is probably nothing wrong with your balance. Roller-blades raise your center of gravity and that takes some getting used to. Watching YouTube videos won't help much as seeing and doing are completely different. Your mind may know how to move, but your body doesn't yet. So when you try to move like skaters move your body tells your brain that it's falling, even though it isn't. So you panic and grab something to stop from falling.
What you need to do is adjust to how skating feels. Start by wearing your roller-blades for 2-3 hours at home. Don't try skating around your apartment, just get used to the extra weight of them. Get a feel for how they move. Sit down and roll them back and forth. Stand still without holding on to anything.
Practicing in your apartment is complicated. First it's too familiar; which can create a sense of disorientation, as you are now several inches taller. Second, it is too easy to grab on to something to steady yourself, and that defeats the purpose. Falling down is a necessary part of learning.
So practice outside, it might be easier (and less embarrassing) if you can get some friends to go with you. In addition to parking lots, many parks have basketball and tennis courts that are empty this time of year (you don't say where you're at, so that might not be the case). I've found skating rinks too crowded to be good places for beginners to practice but it doesn't hurt to look into.
Most important of all, stick with it.
Good luck and have fun.
posted by zinon at 10:21 PM on January 5, 2012
What you need to do is adjust to how skating feels. Start by wearing your roller-blades for 2-3 hours at home. Don't try skating around your apartment, just get used to the extra weight of them. Get a feel for how they move. Sit down and roll them back and forth. Stand still without holding on to anything.
Practicing in your apartment is complicated. First it's too familiar; which can create a sense of disorientation, as you are now several inches taller. Second, it is too easy to grab on to something to steady yourself, and that defeats the purpose. Falling down is a necessary part of learning.
So practice outside, it might be easier (and less embarrassing) if you can get some friends to go with you. In addition to parking lots, many parks have basketball and tennis courts that are empty this time of year (you don't say where you're at, so that might not be the case). I've found skating rinks too crowded to be good places for beginners to practice but it doesn't hurt to look into.
Most important of all, stick with it.
Good luck and have fun.
posted by zinon at 10:21 PM on January 5, 2012
For balance improvements: Practice standing on one foot off skates. When that gets easier, stand on a folded towel. Close your eyes. Hop.
A lot of people's one-footed balance is terrible. Your weight is all on one foot when you're raising the other during your stride, so you need to be able to balance on it. I would suggest doing it on skates but I don't think that's really possible on blades? I skate quads, haven't bladed since I was about seven, so I can't really remember.
Bear in mind that when you balance on one foot on skates, you need to counterbalance the weight of the skate on your lifted foot, so you need to lean a little further than you would off-skates.
Bending your knees helps to lower your centre of gravity. Pushing out to the side and back is the other key to actually moving.
posted by corvine at 3:54 AM on January 6, 2012
A lot of people's one-footed balance is terrible. Your weight is all on one foot when you're raising the other during your stride, so you need to be able to balance on it. I would suggest doing it on skates but I don't think that's really possible on blades? I skate quads, haven't bladed since I was about seven, so I can't really remember.
Bear in mind that when you balance on one foot on skates, you need to counterbalance the weight of the skate on your lifted foot, so you need to lean a little further than you would off-skates.
Bending your knees helps to lower your centre of gravity. Pushing out to the side and back is the other key to actually moving.
posted by corvine at 3:54 AM on January 6, 2012
Although I've never learned to skate, back in the late 70s/early 80s I'd hear the best place to learn was in a narrow, uncarpeted hallway -- one narrow enough you can push your hands out to the walls, for stability.
posted by Rash at 8:06 AM on January 6, 2012
posted by Rash at 8:06 AM on January 6, 2012
I would suggest doing it on skates but I don't think that's really possible on blades?
It's maybe a bit tougher, but it's possible for brief periods of time, longer if you have some forward momentum. Still an important skill to pick up if you intend to ever use the brakes (I know plenty of folks who don't use 'em though FWIW) as being able to do so allows you to transfer all your weight to the braking foot, thereby stopping quicker.
posted by juv3nal at 2:34 PM on January 6, 2012
It's maybe a bit tougher, but it's possible for brief periods of time, longer if you have some forward momentum. Still an important skill to pick up if you intend to ever use the brakes (I know plenty of folks who don't use 'em though FWIW) as being able to do so allows you to transfer all your weight to the braking foot, thereby stopping quicker.
posted by juv3nal at 2:34 PM on January 6, 2012
It's possible to balance on one foot on blades if you're moving. In learning how to counteract the tendency to spin when heel-braking I taught myself to stop with the heel brake one footed. However, while I'm a fan of one foot balance exercises (Tai Chi taught me a lot of "stand on one foot, pull the other foot up to your chest", hold that" sort of stances), I don't think that will really help your skating.
I do like Sys Rq's suggestion to stand like \ /
posted by straw at 2:42 PM on January 6, 2012
I do like Sys Rq's suggestion to stand like \ /
posted by straw at 2:42 PM on January 6, 2012
Response by poster: These tips are helpful. I did try skating around a little bit (on wooden floors) and although I am still wobbling and uncontrolled, it's getting a little bit better. Bending my knees and having my weight shifted forward helps a lot.
I stupidly did not order any protective gear when I bought the skates, but I'm going to order them now. I'm going to suck it up and get over my fear of falling.
I'm still having trouble just standing still. I always seems to me moving forwards even if I'm trying not to.
posted by joeyjoejoejr at 7:56 PM on January 7, 2012
I stupidly did not order any protective gear when I bought the skates, but I'm going to order them now. I'm going to suck it up and get over my fear of falling.
I'm still having trouble just standing still. I always seems to me moving forwards even if I'm trying not to.
posted by joeyjoejoejr at 7:56 PM on January 7, 2012
To stand still, try standing with your feet perpendicular to each other -- like your left food pointing forward and your right foot behind it with your toe pointing to the right (it doesn't have to be like perfectly perpendicular, just rightish is fine), but if your toes are pointing opposite ways it's harder to roll away from uneven floors or balance shifts.
posted by brainmouse at 11:36 PM on January 7, 2012
posted by brainmouse at 11:36 PM on January 7, 2012
Keep in mind that wooden floors and ice-free skating rink surfaces are a heck of a lot smoother than pavement ever is. They're really, really slick surfaces to learn on. You move faster on them with much less effort than you do on pavement.
I recommend an empty parking lot with a friend who knows how to skate already. Asphalt will feel bumpier than your wooden floor, you won't get moving too fast too quickly, and parking lots are usually nice and level, so no surprise hills.
Even better if is you can find a flat bit of pavement with grass level to it. Practice skating towards the grass, then glide, one foot slightly in front of the other, onto the grass and let it slow you down without bailing out. It's important to keep one foot ahead of the other so that you can lift it up if it catches a bit instead of having the front wheel of each skate catch at the same time, launching you onto your face. Ask me how I know. :)
posted by burntflowers at 1:35 PM on January 8, 2012
I recommend an empty parking lot with a friend who knows how to skate already. Asphalt will feel bumpier than your wooden floor, you won't get moving too fast too quickly, and parking lots are usually nice and level, so no surprise hills.
Even better if is you can find a flat bit of pavement with grass level to it. Practice skating towards the grass, then glide, one foot slightly in front of the other, onto the grass and let it slow you down without bailing out. It's important to keep one foot ahead of the other so that you can lift it up if it catches a bit instead of having the front wheel of each skate catch at the same time, launching you onto your face. Ask me how I know. :)
posted by burntflowers at 1:35 PM on January 8, 2012
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Get good pads (elbow/knee, gloves so you don't skin your palms, helmet).
Go somewhere big and flat where you can't catch use walls/objects as a clutch (e.g. empty parking lot).
Strap 'em on and try it out. You'll get it.
posted by brainmouse at 3:34 PM on January 5, 2012