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Inline Skating Newsletter Article

Powerslide and T-Stop

Powerslides

The Powerslide takes a bit of practice to master but looks impressive once you have it! That said, I wouldn't trust it at the bottom of a hill because it's a little complicated to get into position and you do some sliding.

Try to find some slick pavement or an indoor rink to learn a front to back Powerslide. That helps prevent tripping over a skittering skate. Follow these instructions at a low to moderate speed. The result will be a 180 degree counterclockwise upper body rotation, with the right foot extended into the direction of travel.

1. Initiate a left lunge turn (from scissors stance with left skate forward, 2/3 weight moves over well-bent front left knee, swerve left on corresponding edges). The left knee should be generously bent, upper body remains upright.
2. Left foot: Pivot on the front toe of the left skate, bringing the heel around to the back. Your hips should rotate 180 degrees at the same time, so that you're rolling backward on the left skate.
3. Right foot: Push out the right skate as you would to begin a spin stop, but with a straight right leg. Tilt its wheel edges into the pavement at a strong 30 degree angle.
4. Your wheels will skid across the pavement as you press on them from this backward lunge position. Keep the right leg at a very low angle to prevent it from sticking and tripping you.
5. Spot something in the distance so you can keep your eyes focused in the direction of travel at all times throughout the move.
6. Practice, practice, practice!

T-Stops

Skaters who have good one foot stability are ready to try the T-Stop. Disclaimer: This can cause uneven wheel wear or flat spots and may stress the inside knee joint.

1. Start coasting on parallel skates at a moderate speed. Be sure to maintain the correct ready position at all times: hands raised and in view, shoulders, hips and heels lined up on the same plane, perpendicular to the pavement.
2. With all weight over one foot, lift and rotate the other a full 90 degrees, tucking its arch behind the front foot's heel.
3. GRADUALLY touch all wheels onto the pavement at the same time.
4. Move your front foot's hip forward as though lunging in the fencer's position: "en garde!". This will help you to tilt the back skate's wheels onto the edge so that they drag without catching.
5. The deeper you go forward into a lunge, the greater will be the distance and angle of the back skate's wheels. This is where you continue to increase the dragging wheel pressure to slow down.
6. If you lose your balance from going too slow, switch to the heel brake to complete the stop.

Learning Tip: Be sure to try both sides as the leading support foot, to make sure you are learning on the easiest first. Then switch and learn it on the other side but practice twice as much on that side to improve both balance and agility.

Comments or questions? Ask Liz