Figure Skate on Inline Skates
How to Do Ice Skating Tricks on Inline Skates
Inline skaters can do some figure skating moves. This article describes some of the ice skating tricks that are possible on inline skates.
Many inline skaters want to do the things they see ice skaters do. Not all figure skating moves can be done on inline skates, but some basic and beginning figure skating elements can be duplicated. Special inline figure skates are not necessary to do the figure skating moves listed in this article.
Forward and Backward Swizzles
Swizzles are a simple ice skating move that can easily be done on inline skates. To do a swizzle, put your heels together and bend your knees. Glide forward and make the shape of a football with your feet and then bring your toes together. Repeat and do several swizzles in a row.
To do backward swizzles, begin with your toes pointing together and let your skates glide out and move backward. Then, have your heels meet. Again, repeat and do several back swizzles in a row.
Stroking
Stroking on inline skates can be done just like figure skating stroking is done on the ice. The skater can put his or her arms out to the side just like a figure skater and skate from one foot to the other and hold a nice glide. The skater's head should be up, the skating knee should bend, and the leg that is not on the ground should be extended back. Pointing the toes that are extended back add a nice touch.
In order to do good stroking, the skater should practice holding extended one foot glides. It may take time to feel comfortable rolling on one foot, so an exercise called scooters (explained below) may help inline skaters gain confidence.
Scooters
Doing scooters on inline skates looks and feels similar to riding a real scooter. The skater should push with one foot while putting his or her arms in front and continue pushing onto one skate. The skater should then rest and glide on two feet. The move should be repeated. Doing several scooters in row will help beginning skaters gain confidence.
Once a skater feels comfortable doing one foot scooters, he or she should do alternating scooters from one foot to the other. Stroking will come naturally after doing alternating scooters.
Crossovers
Crossovers are the way figure skaters move around corners. To do crossovers on inline skates, put the arm in front that is the opposite to the direction you wish to curve. Keep your arms level. Now, take your outside skate and move it over the skate that is on the inside of the curve. Next, try to do forward stroking followed by crossovers.
Spirals
A spiral is a beautiful figure skating move where the skater glides on one foot and holds his or her body in a horizontal position. Once an inline skater is comfortable with doing an extended one foot glide, he or she should be able to do a spiral on inline skates. The key to not falling forward is to keep the back arched. The toe of the extended leg should be turned out and pointed.
Shoot the Ducks
Shoot the ducks are really fun to do. The skater squats down on two feet and then points one leg forward while gliding on the other foot. The key to doing shoot the ducks is to remember that falling can be fun while doing this move since the skater is already close to the ground!
Mowhawk Turns
Mohawks are the way figure skaters gracefully turn from front to back or from back to front. It takes some time to master doing mohawks on inline skates, but with practice, mohawk turns are possible. Try first doing small spread eagles before attempting mohawks.
Spread Eagles
Spread eagles are another beautfiul figure skating move where ice skaters glide on two feet with the toes pointing in opposite directions. Do small spread eagles on inline skates at first. Roll on two feet first and put one foot out in front of the other skate. Now, turn the back skate around so that each skate is pointing in a different direction. Continue gliding as long as possible with the toes pointing in different directions.
Backward skating
Skating backward on inline skates can be a very difficult. Before trying to skate backward, it is a good idea to practice walking backward and then rolling for a short distance on inline skates. As a skater improves and gains confidence after attempting to glide on two feet while going backward, he or she should then attempt backward swizzles.
Attitudes
Attitudes are figure skating moves that comes right from ballet. The skater starts by gliding on one foot and then stretches the other leg behind. Next, the stretched leg bends slightly. Arm positions from ballet work well with this move.
Have Fun and Experiment!
There are no rules attached to inline skating, so skaters are encouraged to experiment with figure skating moves. For example, once you've mastered forward stroking, try forward crossovers. Next, do some stroking followed by an attitude, spiral, or shoot the duck. Remember to have fun!
Happy Skating!
