KEEP KNEES BENT

KEEP YOUR WEIGHT ON YOUR TOES

HEAD UP & BACK STRAIGHT

KNEES BENT

STRIDE TO THE SIDE, NOT STRAIGHT BACK, LONG FLUID STRIDES.

SKATE WITH YOUR HANDS BEHIND YOUR BACK.  IT FEELS AWKWARD, BUT HELPS YOU NOT TO FLAIL.  HELPS YOUR CENTRE OF BALANCE.

REMEMBER KNEES BENT!!!!!

IF YOU FEEL LIKE YOU'RE GOING TO FALL, BEND YOUR KNEES.

SKATE THE TRACK. HIGH (ON THE OUTSIDE) IN THE STRAIGHT-AWAYS, & LOW (ON THE INSIDE) IN THE CORNERS. AT THIS STAGE SKATE AN IMAGINARY TRACK.

KNEES BENT

CROSS OVER IN THE CORNERS.  OUTSIDE (RIGHT) FOOT, CROSSES OVER INSIDE (LEFT) FOOT.

SKATE BACKWARDS. START WITH A FIGURE 8 MOTION WITH YOUR FEET TO GET MOMENTUM.  DON'T LOOK DOWN!!!

T-STOPS.  BASIC STOP: ONE FOOT (DOMINANT) DRAGS BEHIND OTHER AT 90degree ANGLE.  VERY IMPORTANT TO KEEP BOTH LEGS BENT.  VERY IMPORTANT TO KEEP ALL FOUR WHEELS ON THE GROUND!  CONCENTRATE ON DIGGING THOSE WHEELS INTO THE GROUND.  (PRACTISE BOTH SIDES)

LOOK BACKWARDS WHILE SKATING.  AN IMPORTANT SKILL IN A BOUT!!!

STRETCHING, CAN'T EMPHASISE ENOUGH HOW IMPORTANT THIS IS BEFORE AND AFTER A SKATE!  YOU'RE USING MUSCLES YOU'RE NOT USED TO!!!

THANKS TO THE PIRATE CITY ROLLERS