If you're new to in-line skating, the ideal situation is to take a lesson or two from a certified instructor to learn some basic techniques, stances and safety measures. As in snow-skiing, a quick lesson goes a long way in helping build the confidence of the novice. Many shops that sell or specialize in skates offer lessons by certified instructors. Bret Smith, IISA-certified skate instructor for Alpine Ski Center in Knoxville, Tennessee, shares some of his expertise with DIY Family Sports host Belma Johnson. Begin with the proper safety equipment: high-quality skates, a helmet, wrist guards and -- particularly if you're new to the sport -- kneepads and elbow pads.
Basic Stances Once you have your skates on, but before you begin skating, a safe standing-stance is known as the safe-T. Put your skates in a T position, with the right foot perpendicular to the left (figure A). This provides a comfortable stance and locks your skates in position, keeping you from rolling as you're standing still or preparing to skate. To begin rolling, put your skates in a V position. This allows the novice skater to begin with a slow, deliberate take-off (figure B). Once you begin rolling forward and feeling more comfortable, place your skates parallel and coast (figure C). The coasting position can be used as you coast downhill or simply roll forward, with continuing momentum, after pushing off. The A position, with feet apart and knees bending slightly inward, is used to give greater stability in turning. The scissor position, with one foot slightly ahead of the other, is used in slowing and braking (figure D).
Basic Strides The most common striding mistake among beginners is to simply attempt "walking" on the skates, taking ordinary steps with the feet kept parallel. This interferes with stability and doesn't lend itself to building forward momentum while maintaining balance. A better technique for beginners is to place the skates in the V-position and take baby steps or "duck steps" by placing one skate in front of the other with the feet still angled out slightly. Practice duck-stepping until you begin feeling comfortable and confident on the skates. An ancillary to the duck step is the stride-one position, in which the skater looks straight ahead, keeping hands in front and knees slightly bent to maintain a low center of gravity (figure E). Holding the hands in front and centered keeps your weight balanced and shifted in the forward direction, making it less likely that you will lean and fall backward. Once your hands lower below your hips, your weight shifts rearward, and it's easier for your feet to roll forward, out from under you, causing you to fall back. In stride-one or beginner-skating position, the feet are pointed outward in a 10 and 2 o'clock position. As you gain confidence and begin to increase your speed, you can angle your skates inward into an 11 and 1 o'clock position and begin to use the longer stride used in recreational skating. The stride-two position allows you to build speed as you become familiar with pushing off alternately with each foot. The rhythmic, alternating stride will grow easier with practice. As your balance improves and your momentum increases, you can begin to drop your hands down to your sides. Stride three is the more advanced stride used in fitness and endurance skating. The feet are maintained in a 12 and 12 o'clock position, with each foot coming back into position directly under the hip following push-off. The swaying motion and alternate swinging of the arms helps to build additional momentum and provide a good aerobic workout (figure F).
Stopping Braking simply requires that you place your skates in the scissors position, place your hands forward as in the stride-one stance, and lift the toe of your forward skate, allowing your rear brake to drag (figure G). Concentrate on lifting the toe rather than pressing down with the heel, and bend your knees slightly to lower your center of gravity as you slow down. To corner or turn, place your skates in the A-stance position, with the feet slightly more than shoulder-width apart. To pivot with your right leg to the outside (to turn left), place most of your weight on the right leg, and imagine that you are pushing down with the toe of your right foot just hard enough to crush a peanut shell. As you press down, your right leg leads into the turn and your left leg follows, providing your body with a rotary motion (figure H).
Falling Since this sport is one where at least some falling is inevitable, it's best to have a practiced technique to ensure an injury-free fall. Avoid stiffening your arms and body as you fall. Put your hands and arms in front to break your fall, but don't hold them straight or stiff. Keep your elbows slightly bent and try to stay relaxed as you fall. Rolling onto the ground will help soften the impact.
RESOURCES :
International Inline Skating Association (IISA)
105 South 7th St.
Wilmington, NC 28401
Phone: 910-762-7004
fax 910-762-9477
Web site: www.iisa.org
Alpine Ski Center
Alpine Ski Center
IISA-certified skate instruction
7240 Kingston Pike
Knoxville, TN 37919
Phone: 865-584-3614
Web site: www.alpineskicenter.com
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