Mastering the T-stop on Roller Skates
The T-stop requires a lot of strength and stability on your legs and whole body. It’s not just your legs doing the job, your body also need to be stable, bracing the friction the wheels create when doing the t-stop.
Follow these steps to check that you have the strength and stability required to do the t-stop properly.
1. Glide on one foot in a straight line
keep free leg next to skating leg’s ankle
shoulders square with hips
hold for several seconds
If your body position or your direction changes when you lift your foot, keep working on step 1 before progressing to step 2.
2. Bring your free leg behind your skating leg
maintain rolling on a straight line
maintain body position: square shoulders and hips
nothing else changes except your free leg position.
If your body position or your direction changes when you move your free leg, keep working on step 2 before progressing to step 3.
3. Place your free leg down in a T position
ensure all 4 wheels make contact with ground, emphasising on the outside wheels
apply pressure to start braking
maintain body position: square shoulders and hips
Notice the difference below:
This is the correct angle.
This is incorrect!!
Here is the full t-stop in action.
TIPS!!
Start with slow speed
Practice both sides
Exercise without skates: Balance on one leg swing your free leg around while maintaining your strong body position.
Good luck! Email me if you have any questions.
