Roller Skating (Quad)

Question
Hi,

I am just starting to learn how to roller skate and I am having a hard time with my balance. I know it takes practice but what can I do, what exercises can I do that will create that balance to skate. I just bought a pair of skates and I thought since I have laminate flooring I can skate around the house to practice on that balance. I am so anxious to learn!

Answer
Enkise,
In your favor, is a little easier to balance on Quads than on Inlines.
First understand that the most important feature of balancing on any kind of skates is how you bend your knees. I will give you some concepts to consider & practice.

Begin off skates. Keeping your back straight & your feet flat on the floor, bend your knees as far down as they go by pushing them forward so they are slightly ahead of your toes. We'll call this level 5. Now straighten your knees completely - level 10. Let's see what's in between. Gradually bend in equal increments to level 9, 8 , 7, 6 till you arrive at level 5 again. Come up gradually up to level 7. Then, rhythmically begin to bounce from 7 to 5. This is your range of operation - when you skate, level 5 is your bottom, the level at which you are most centered over the balls of your feet - 7 is your top, the highest you should go to remain balanced over your feet. Levels 8 through 10 put you over your heels which produces backward falls. If you could see yourself from the side at level 5 you should be able to visualize a straight line passing through the middle of your head continuing through your chest, pelvis & ending at the middle of your feet.

Now at level 7 face your mirror, imagine a center line dividing you in half, passing through your head, chest & pelvis ending between your feet with one knee on either side of that center line.
Next, shift your weight on to 1 foot, raising the other foot to ankle height, bending to level 5 on the 1 foot, keeping that imaginary line straight up & downn not tipping in either direction so that you are now centered over 1 foot - solidly balanced, so that your imaginary line passes through the center your head, chest, pelvis ending over the middle of your standing foot. Come up to level 7 on both feet - shift downt to level 5 on the other foot. Repeat this exercise alternating feet - center yourself down to 5 on the left foot - Hold 5 counts - up to 7 on both feet foot - center yourself down to 5 on the right  - Hold 5 counts - & repeat. Practice this exercise until you can do it smoothly & easily, without losing balance, without wobbling or tipping your shoulders one way or the other.
Every stroke you take on your skates should start at level 7 on both feet & push down, centered in this way, to level 5.

The most accurate way of finding level 5 as you skate is:
As you begin your stroke, push your ankle down & forward against the tongue of your boot so that it depresses the tongue. This will always put you in a position of balance over your foot as you skate.

If you are in the New York City area you can register for my beginners skate course. It is a 4 week course that teaches both inline & quad skaters the basics of indoor & outdoor skating. You can visit my web site www.SkateGuru.com or you can call 212 777-3232 for info or to register for group or private classes.
I hope this will help you find your center - your balance.
Roll on.............................Lezly (Lezly Skate School - established 1979)