How to Start Roller Skating Without Breaking Anything
Roller skating has always felt like freedom to me. When you go fast, you fly. Even when you’re tinkering around in a small space, making small turns on your wheels, you’re moving on your feet in a way that the rest of the world, wearing its sad little shoes, will never be able to. So how do you join the ranks of roller skaters? It will take a little time and practice, but soon it can be you.
I used to play roller derby, so I spent years learning how to skate. In my free time, I practiced figure skating moves like turns and jumps, as well as silly little tricks like duck shooting. (During the pandemic quarantine, I briefly dabbled in skate dancing, which, as it turns out, I’m not very good at.) Today, I’m going to give the most important tips for beginners so you can get started as quickly as possible.
Take your skates
When we talk about “roller skating,” I assume you and I are both thinking about ATVs, which have four wheels: two in the front and two in the back. (I also heard that there is something called a “roller”, “blade”? No idea about them .)
There are two types of ATVs that you will see. The heeled boots with lace-up ankles are designed for figure skating activities such as jumps and spins, and are also good for everyday skating. These are your classic roller skates with a retro look.
Another type is the low-cut skate, which looks more like a sneaker. They provide zero ankle support but more flexibility. They are great for fancy jam skating footwork and are the style favored by roller derby players.
Any type will do to get you started, and I won’t judge you if you choose your skates based on what looks the cutest. Just a word of warning: While it’s often good to buy the cheapest option first and upgrade when it wears out or exceeds its capabilities, with skates you want to make sure you don’t go too cheap. Anything under $80 or so is suspect.
Some skates are too flimsy or lack proper fittings. To determine what’s wrong with them, it helps to know a little about the anatomy of skateboards. Under the boot (shoe part) we have a plate . The plate must be strong enough to support your weight. And then, by connecting the wheels with the plate, we get trucks . This is a moving part that allows some movement between the wheel axle and the plate. It has cushions and is attached to the plate at an angle. Here’s a video explaining the anatomy:
So, when choosing skates, make sure that the pair you choose actually has these details. For example, if the area connecting the wheels is just a piece of smooth plastic, like on those kids’ skates , you don’t have any trucks at all. This means that you can’t adjust your trucks, which means you’re really limited in the type of driving you can do on them. You also don’t have the option to replace the trucks without replacing the entire ridge.
Another thing to note: nylon (soft plastic) plates tend to flex too much for people who weigh more than 200 pounds or so. Children and light weight adults will be fine with these, but everyone else should look for aluminum or fiberglass plates instead.
Some budget start-up brands:
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High Skates (Retro/Artistic): Candi Grl , Impala , Moxi Beach Bunny , Riedell Wave.
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Low Cut Skates (Derby/Jam Style): Riedell R3 , Riedell Dart , Sure-Grip GT-50.
Buy protective gear
Until you have fully developed your instincts to fall safely, it is wise to wear protective equipment while training. You will fall to your knees, so invest in knee pads. Skaters with hard caps are best, but if you want to live a little dangerously, I sometimes use these thin dancer knee pads. If you fall in them, it will still hurt, but the pillow will kind of take the edge off. Invest in a helmet to protect your head, and also consider elbow pads and wrist protection.
Know the basics of skate care
There are a few things you need to do to your skates to keep them rolling smoothly. First, know how to tighten or loosen wheel nuts. Often skates come with nuts that are too tight. Make sure they are loose enough so that when you hold the skates and turn the wheel, they will spin freely.
A basic skating tool (like this one ) includes a socket for wheel nuts and a socket for the lug nuts on your trucks. Weaker trucks will turn sharper, but they will be more wobbly. You will need to customize your trucks according to your skill level and the type of riding you want to do.
If you mostly ride on hard floors indoors, you’ll want hard wheels (in the mid-90s, like 90A). If you ride outdoors, softer wheels will provide a smoother ride on uneven pavement; The hardness rating for these will typically be in the 80s. Many skaters have a set of outer wheels and a set of inner wheels, and these can be changed accordingly.
Toe rests are another thing to check. Some dance moves work best without toe stops, so you can take yours out and replace them with small protrusions called stoppers . On the other hand, if you do a lot of outdoor riding, you may find yourself using your toe pads so much that they wear out. The toes of the stops can be replaced , and some types allow height adjustment, which usually requires a hex wrench.
Get comfortable on your skates
The first step in learning (or relearning) to skate is simply teaching your body to move with the wheels underneath you. The fastest way to achieve this is to simply wear skates at home, whether you have good skating areas in your home or not.
However, use common sense: do not exercise in areas where sharp or delicate objects are within reach. Never attempt to climb up or down stairs or navigate difficult terrain until you are completely confident in your skills.
Even if all your floors are carpeted, you will get a feel for where to place your weight on your feet as you walk. You may find yourself standing on your toes to get out of your chair. And when you wear your skates in a small space, like the kitchen while you wash dishes, you’ll discover many ways to turn and maneuver the wheels while standing still. All of these skills will serve you well when you hit the rink, dance floor, or street.
Skate without falling
You only need a small space to practice the basics. First of all, your body position: always bend your knees at least a little. This helps you maintain balance as you can now shift your weight as needed. (Closed knees are prohibited, at least until you reach a more advanced level.)
Learn to stand in a T-stance: place one foot perpendicularly behind the other. It’s very stable and is exactly how you should stand if you’re not going to be rolling anywhere. You can also push off from your side skate to start the movement. For example, if your right foot is behind your left heel, you can push off with your right foot and gracefully roll forward on your left.
Control your skates by leaning to the side. With practice, you will be able to ride in circles on one leg. (The weaker your trucks, the smaller the circle.) To stop, put all your weight on one leg and slowly walk your other leg back to that T-position. To protect your ankles, be sure to have all four wheels of your back foot on the ground, not just the two wheels closest to the moving skate.
Learn some moves
Now we get to the fun part! What are you going to do on skates? If you plan to go outside, don’t forget your helmet and knee pads and start on smooth, flat areas.
You can do a lot indoors in a small space. The video below shows some fancy dance moves that involve simple steps like sliding your feet back and forth.
Whatever you choose, be careful, know your skates, and don’t be afraid to get creative. Support your instructors with a donation at any time and post your activities on social media to encourage others. Happy riding!