Page 3 < Help ... I Still Can't Stop!

Planet column: Skate Coach

“Help! ... I still can’t stop!”

What You Need Is a Visit With the Skate Doc!

(page 3 of 3)

I commend you on your enthusiasm. But I am sending you back to Part 1 to repeat the exercises until you become so proficient that you could perform them perfectly even if a naked person walked by and waved.

Huh? ... Yes, you want to get to the point where you can do each part correctly even when you’re not concentrating on it. This is necessary because you can’t possibly concentrate on doing all the various aspects of any skill simultaneously. Besides, being able to brake while distracted keeps you from running into a tree every time a cute guy or girl goes by.

Symptom: “I can stop ... eventually ... in a straight line with no balance problems. I just wish I could come to a stop faster.”

Diagnosis & Cure: Great, you’re ready for Part 3: Building Power in the Heel Stop.

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Kathy McSparran is the director of Phoenix Inline, an Arizona skate school. She holds five IISA teaching certifications: Level 1 (Beginners & Advanced Beginners), Level 2 (Intermediates & Advanced Intermediates), BladeFitnessTM, Freestyle Dance and Fitness Inline Trainer.

Want to perfect your heel stop? ... Read all three parts of Kathy's series:

Part 1: How to brake without breaking

Part 2: "Help! ... I still can't stop!"

Part 3: Putting power into your heel stop

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