When starting out on your roller skating journey there’s so much to learn. Everything is new and exciting. You can pick up new skills and techniques at a constant pace and there are loads of little wins to be had. But what happens when you’ve nailed those fundamental skills and have a handful of beginner tricks up your sleeve?
Well, naturally you level up right? That’s easier said than done. The jump from the beginner basics of getting up and moving to intermediate skating can feel like a big one. This is because you’re learning harder skills that require you to piece more techniques together, and this takes time and practice! The roller skating plateau is inevitable, and the same thing happens to intermediate skaters making that leap to advanced. It can feel a bit disheartening at times, but pretty please don’t be deterred by the inevitable plateau. Instead, try and see it as an opportunity to hone your technique and work towards new skate goals. To help you persevere, we’ve got some tips to help you ride out the plateau.
1. Take it back to the basics
There’s a saying that floats around the skating world, drill it till you kill it. We stand by this! The basics exist for a reason, right? So take it back to the beginning and engage in repetitive practice of your basic technique and skills till they become part of your muscle memory. Having the basics on lock means that you’ll feel more equipped and have less to think about when trying to piece together multiple techniques to achieve those more difficult skills coming your way.
2. Even things out
We all know that we have one stronger leg for balance. Likewise, you’ve got a more natural direction for turning. All this is totally normal, but we do tend to favour these dominant sides and directions. It’s time to do your body and skating a favour and try to even things out by practising your technique and skills on your non-dominant leg and non-dominant direction for turns or rotational movements. It will feel funky at first but keep at it!
3. Take it back
You’ve got your basics on lock, and you’ve evened things out, now it’s time to take backwards. Whatever skills you have going forward they can be replicated in backwards skating. It can feel strange but getting comfortable with backwards skating and having awareness of your body and what’s going on around it whilst rolling backwards can do wonders for your skating. Hot tip: speed is your friend.
4. Skate for fun
This one isn’t so much of a tip, as it is a friendly reminder. It’s important to remember why you started skating in the first place, it’s a hobby you choose because it makes you feel good! You’re allowed to enjoy your hobbies without putting lots of pressure on yourself to be the most amazing skater. Give yourself permission to enjoy the process, it’s not an easy one but it’s super rewarding.
If you want some help and camaraderie to help you through the inevitable plateau and get you on your way to levelling up, we can help you with feedback and new skills at RollerFit classes near you. If you can’t make it to a class we’ve got some beginner-friendly online programs that talk technique to help you hone those roller skating basics.
Keep on rolling!
