Inline skating

Inline skating is a high-energy outdoor skill that teaches kids balance and helps develop strength and fitness.

Table of Contents

Fitness: inline skating can be great exercise, so it’s good for kids’ cardiovascular fitness
Once kids are competent and confident, inline skating is a great way to get around
This skill is great for developing balance and core strength
What works on pavements also works on ice: inline skaters make brilliant ice skaters!

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Get skates that fit comfortably and have plenty of ankle support
Safety equipment is a must: don’t skate without a wrist guards, knee pads and a helmet
Start on grass or carpet, balancing on one skate and then the other with knees slightly bent and shins pressed forward into the skate; try to hold each position for a few seconds
Again on grass or carpet, close your eyes and find your balance — once you’ve got this, it’s time to try it out on pavement
If you think you’re going to fall, just drop: it’s easier and less risky than falling forward onto your hands and wrists

The basic skate involves pushing away from the ground behind you with the back foot, and gliding forward on the front foot
The easiest way to stop is by using the heel stop that comes on most skates, but you can also try a T-stop or a sideways stop (as in skiing)
Crossovers are a great trick to master: rather than facing the direction you are going, skate side-on, along a curved path, with the back foot crossing over the front foot

This extract is part of a larger article “Inline skating” from Wikipedia.