HOW TO LEARN TO BRAKE ON QUAD ROLLER SKATES?​

HOW TO LEARN TO BRAKE ON QUAD ROLLER SKATES?

You practice roller skating. Knowing how to brake while roller skating is essential for gaining freedom and enjoyment. We will explore together the basics of your learning. Whether you are a beginner or experienced, we have gathered the practices most likely to help you progress.

To enhance your experience and understanding, we are incorporating tutorial videos to improve pedagogy. Each braking is filmed from three angles. The joy of gliding is within your reach with just a little effort.

The history of roller skating is full of twists and turns, through the ages and depending on the sport practiced or the trends. The types of braking evolve, as do their names. Let's share together our experience as skaters, influenced by our viewpoints and knowledge. These techniques can be performed on both quad roller skates and inline skates, with the exception of braking on the front stoppers, which are specific accessories for quad roller skates.

/LATERAL BRAKING

Here, you are rolling at a slow pace. When you skate in a straight line, return to a parallel foot position. Then place one foot in opposition to your trajectory, followed by the second. Transfer your body weight to the side you wish to turn. At the end of this movement, you are back in a parallel position.

 

/THE PLOW STOP

This method is also called the lemon in the world of acrobatic roller skating and figure skating. The movement is similar to the snowplow in skiing. Apply pressure to the outer edges of your rollers to slow down.

 

/T-STOP

Place a roller perpendicular to your direction. The front wheels of your perpendicular roller make contact with the ground and contribute to braking. The other roller stays in line for a smooth stop. Your bent knees help with your flexibility.

 

/TIGHT TURNS SUCCESSION

This braking technique will be very useful for you when going downhill and can be compared to parallel turns in skiing. With your ankles tense, shift your body weight towards the inside of each turn. The foot you place in front during your turn indicates the direction you will take.

 

/TOE STOP BRAKE

This braking technique is primarily practiced in technical and fast sports such as derby and rink hockey. Two variations of this method for braking while roller skating exist.

/With a front stop

During a fast forward skating, turn around and roll backward. The supporting foot remains in its initial position. The second foot is placed behind, on the front stopper, which comes into contact with the ground. 

/With the two front stops

The basic movement is the same. Turn around and while skating backward, simultaneously position both of your front stops on the ground.

Do not use the stops when skating forward. This is not appropriate and can damage your equipment.

 

/TURN STOP

 

This technique can be used to avoid an obstacle or to stop quickly. You skate at an average speed. This braking involves making a tight turn, almost a U-turn. The body is leaned into the turn and then straightens up as you exit it. The turn is made naturally by placing the foot corresponding to the direction of your trajectory forward: the right foot forward for a right turn, and vice versa.

 

/POWER SLIDE

This technique is particularly aimed at skaters who already have a certain level of comfort and who master skating backward. When skating backward, you keep your supporting foot aligned with the trajectory, and the other foot moves into a perpendicular position, well behind the body. Your weight is shifted forward to maintain balance. This braking system is very effective.

 

/THE PARALLEL

It is also called shuffle or cess-slide. It is probably the most advanced and effective technique, but its principle is simple. At full speed, it involves sliding both feet in parallel. To do this, the skater makes a turn and takes the curve, with the body leaning inward. Thus, a slide of several meters occurs without loss of grip from the wheels. This specific movement has been an official discipline of freestyle roller skating since 2018.