How to Stop on Roller Skates: Essential Techniques for Beginners

The T-Stop: Your First Stop

The T-stop is the most common beginner stopping method. To perform it, glide on one foot while dragging the other foot behind you, perpendicular to your direction of travel. The dragging foot forms a "T" shape with your gliding foot.

Start by practicing at slow speeds. Keep most of your weight on your front (gliding) foot, and gently press the back foot down to create friction. The key is gradual pressure—don't slam your foot down, as this can cause you to lose balance.

As you get comfortable, you can apply more pressure to stop faster. Practice stopping with both feet, as you'll want to be comfortable stopping in either direction.

• Glide on one foot (your stronger foot)
• Drag the other foot behind, perpendicular to direction
• Keep weight on the front foot
• Apply gradual pressure with the dragging foot
• Practice with both feet for versatility

The Plow Stop: Controlled Stopping

The plow stop (also called the snowplow stop) is excellent for controlled, gradual stops. Point your toes inward and push your heels outward, creating a "V" shape with your skates. This increases friction and slows you down.

This stop works well at moderate speeds and gives you more control than the T-stop. It's particularly useful when you need to slow down gradually rather than stop abruptly. Many skaters find it more stable than the T-stop.

Practice the plow stop by starting in a wide stance and gradually bringing your toes together while pushing your heels apart. The wider your stance, the more stopping power you'll have.

The Toe Stop: Using Your Stops

Most roller skates have toe stops on the front. To use them, lift your back foot and press the toe stop into the ground while keeping your other foot gliding. This creates a quick, effective stop.

Toe stops require good balance, so practice them after you're comfortable with basic skating. Start by lifting your foot just slightly and touching the stop to the ground, then gradually apply more pressure as you gain confidence.

Some skaters prefer toe stops for quick stops, while others prefer drag stops for more controlled stopping. Both are valuable skills to have in your repertoire.

Safety Tips for Stopping

Always look ahead and plan your stops. Don't wait until the last second—start slowing down well before you need to stop completely. This gives you time to adjust if your first attempt doesn't work.

Practice stopping in different situations: when going straight, when turning, and at different speeds. The more you practice, the more natural stopping becomes.

If you feel like you're going to fall, try to fall safely: bend your knees, lower your center of gravity, and try to land on your padding (knees, elbows, hands) rather than trying to catch yourself with your arms.

• Plan your stops ahead of time
• Start slowing down gradually
• Keep your knees bent for better balance
• Practice at different speeds
• Learn to fall safely if you lose balance

Local Tips for Oahu Skaters

• Practice stopping during our less crowded sessions for more space
• Our smooth indoor surface makes learning stops easier than outdoor skating
• Take advantage of our Learn to Skate sessions for personalized stopping instruction
• Watch other skaters to see different stopping techniques in action
• Don't be discouraged—stopping takes practice, and everyone learns at their own pace