Learning to stop is as important as learning to go. Most beginner slams come from going faster than you can control, and a lot of intermediate ones come from not having a reliable way to slow down. Here are the main ways skaters control speed, when each one makes sense, and how to practice them.
Foot braking
The simplest stop. Keep your front foot on the board, take your back foot off, and lightly drag the sole of your shoe on the ground.
- Shift your weight onto your front foot, knees bent.
- Lower your back foot next to the board and touch the ground lightly with the flat of your sole.
- Press down gradually to slow down. Don't stomp.
- Keep your shoulders facing forward and your front foot straight.
It works at most beginner speeds and on most smooth ground. It wears down your shoes, but that's what shoes are for.
Tail dragging
Press down on the tail so it scrapes the ground and slows you down. It's quick to learn, but it grinds down your tail, which makes ollies harder over time. Many skaters avoid it for that reason.
Carving
On a gentle slope or a wide space, you can lose speed by carving: leaning into wide turns from side to side. Each turn bleeds off speed. Carving is great for staying in control on long, gentle slopes, and it's how many skaters keep speed down in a park.
Powerslides
A powerslide turns the board sideways so the wheels slide across the ground, slowing you quickly.
- Get comfortable at moderate speed first.
- Crouch and shift your weight slightly forward.
- Push the tail out with your back foot so the board turns sideways.
- Lean into the slide, keeping your weight over the board.
- Bring the board back straight, or come to a stop.
Harder wheels slide more easily; softer wheels grip more. Powerslides take practice and wear flat spots into your wheels over time.
Running it out
If you're going too fast and none of the above will work in time, step off and run. Step off the front with your front foot first, and start running as soon as your feet hit the ground. Let the board roll away. It's better to lose the board for a moment than to slam.
A worked example: a slope that's too steep
Leo is skating a sidewalk that gets steeper near the bottom. He starts going faster than feels comfortable. Instead of waiting, he drags his back foot early and lightly, holding his speed where he likes it. When the slope steepens, he adds a few wide carves across the sidewalk. He reaches the bottom at a controlled speed, without having to bail.
Before you skate a hill
Check the whole slope before you ride it: how steep it gets, where it ends, whether there's traffic or a road at the bottom, and where you could step off safely. If there's no safe runout at the bottom, skate a different hill. Speed control starts before you push.
Stopping on different ground
Foot braking works best on smooth, dry ground. On rough ground or loose gravel, your shoe can catch and throw you off balance, so slow down earlier and lighter. On wet ground, wheels and shoes both grip less, so stopping takes longer; avoid skating it.
Choosing a stop
- Low speed, smooth ground: foot brake.
- Gentle slope, wide space: carving.
- Need to stop quickly: powerslide, if you've practiced it.
- Out of control: run it out.
The best skaters control speed before it gets too high, not after.
A practice plan, step by step
- Foot brakes at walking pace on flat ground, until they feel automatic.
- Foot brakes at a little more speed.
- Carving on a gentle slope in a wide space.
- Running it out at slow speed, on purpose, so your body knows what to do.
- Powerslides, once the others are solid.
Common mistakes
- Stomping the back foot down. Press gradually.
- Leaning back while braking. Keep your weight over the front foot.
- Waiting too long to slow down. Control your speed early.
- Skating hills you can't stop on. Stick to slopes you can handle.
FAQ
What's the easiest way to stop?
Foot braking, for most people.
Is tail dragging bad?
It works, but it wears down your tail, which hurts your pop.
Do powerslides wear out wheels?
Yes, they can cause flat spots over time.
What if I can't stop at all?
Step off and run it out.
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