Quick Tips—Inline Skating

1. Whether skating along a road or a trail, pretend you're a car. Obey the rules of the road and stay to the right (unless you're skating in a part of the world where people drive on the left). If you must pass a pedestrian, cyclist or another skater, pass on the left and verbally warn those in front of you. A polite, "Passing on your left!" will do. Be alert for people passing you.
   

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2. Just learning how to skate?Try to practice on a paved walking or biking path in your area, ideally one that's closed to cars and has grass on both sides. If you feel yourself falling, try to land on the grass—it's easier on your body!
   

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3. What's the secret to learning how to brake? Practice!At first, your weight will rest mostly on your non-brake foot. That leg will be directly under your body, and your knee will be bent. How much you bend your knee will determine how hard your braking power. To stay on a straight course when braking, keep your feet close to your centerline. Bend your waist forward slightly and keep your hands around waist height (to lower your center of gravity). Once you master this, you can enhance your braking power by driving your back knee into the back of your front knee.
   

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4. Want to soften your crash landings? To ease a slow fall, let your body crumple forward so your kneepads absorb the initial impact, followed by your wristguards. Don't lock your arms at impact; bend them so they function as shock absorbers. This technique does not guarantee an injury-free fall, but it may help tilt the odds in your favor.
   

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5. When facing a downhill wipeoutor a collision with a stationary object, stay loose. Take a hit with as much looseness in your limbs as possible. Pick a "drop spot" if you can and try to turn sideways or (even better) uphill before you fall. Protect your face and head with your arms, while targeting the initial impact to your kneeguards. Remember: These are emergency tactics only and offer no guarantee that you will emerge injury-free. Your best move is to keep your speed under control at all times.
   

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6. Buckles or laces?This is kind of like boxers or briefs—a matter of personal preference. Buckles are quick to put on and adjust, and they won't loosen while you skate. They can, however, put unwanted pressure (called "point loading") on parts of your foot. Laces distribute pressure more evenly for greater comfort, but are eventually prone to loosening and breaking, and they're slower to put on and adjust.
   

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7. How do you throw your skates into reverse?Start by practicing a backward hourglass pattern. With your head turned over one shoulder, keep your eyes focused on your direction of travel. Arms out in front of you, bend your knees and distribute your weight evenly on both legs. Your legs will take on a V-like formation as you put pressure on the skates' inside edge. Next, pull your thighs close together, causing your body to rise and your skates to roll closer together at the heel. Bend at the knee, and your skates will nearly touch at the heel. Rise again, and your toes will again come closer together. Repeatedly bend and rise and your skates will follow an oscillating, hourglass-like pattern.
   

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8. Make your feet comfortable.To keep blisters from recurring, check a few things. Are you wearing all-cotton socks? If so, try synthetic blends—they tend to cause less friction. Do your feet feel too loose or too tight inside your boots? If too tight, try optional lacing patterns (or adjust the buckles) to relieve pressure on an irritated spot. Too loose and you should add a second sock layer.