Inline skates roll fast and hold their speed, which is exactly why stopping matters so much. Most recreational inlines come with a heel brake, and it’s a great place to start — but the best inline skaters know several stops and pick the right one for the moment.
1. The heel brake stop
Level: Beginner
The rubber brake is usually on the right skate. Here’s how to use it properly:
- Roll forward in a comfortable stance, knees bent.
- Scissor your braking foot forward so it’s about half a skate length ahead of the other.
- Keep most of your weight on your back (non-brake) leg and bend that knee deeply.
- Lift the toe of your front skate so the brake pad touches the ground.
- Press down gradually — sit into it, like you’re lowering into a chair.
Common mistakes: Standing up straight (you’ll have no power), stomping the brake (you’ll wobble), and putting your weight on the braking foot instead of the back leg.
Maintenance tip: Brake pads wear down. Most have a wear line — replace them before you hit it. A worn brake won’t reach the ground when you need it.
2. The T-stop
Level: Beginner to intermediate
- Glide on your front skate with a bent knee.
- Bring your back skate behind your front heel at a right angle.
- Lightly drag the inside edges of the back wheels on the ground.
- Increase pressure to slow down more.
The T-stop works great but it’s hard on your wheels — it can wear flat spots into them. Rotate your wheels regularly if you use it a lot.
3. The plow stop
Level: Beginner
Spread your feet wider than your shoulders, bend your knees, point your toes slightly inward and push both heels out against the inside edges. It’s slow and steady, and perfect for controlling speed on gentle hills or crowded paths.
4. The spin stop (heel-to-heel)
Level: Intermediate
Open your feet into a “Charlie Chaplin” position — heels together, toes pointing out — and let your momentum carry you into a circle until you come to rest. It looks cool and works well at moderate speed when you have some room.
5. The power slide
Level: Advanced
- Skate backward with some speed.
- Turn forward by stepping one skate around, placing it perpendicular to your direction of travel.
- Keep your weight mostly on the forward-facing leg and let the sideways skate slide.
Street skaters and urban skaters love the power slide. It takes practice, a smooth surface and full protective gear.
6. The hockey stop
Level: Advanced
Quickly rotate both skates sideways and skid to a stop. On inlines this is much harder than on ice, because urethane wheels grip. Harder wheels and a smooth floor help.
Which stop should I use?
- Crowded path or downhill: Heel brake or plow — controlled and predictable.
- Everyday skating: Heel brake or T-stop.
- Quick, hard stop: Power slide or hockey stop, once you’ve practiced them.
The golden rule: don’t skate faster than you can stop. Learn your stops on a flat, empty parking lot or rink floor before you take them to the trail.
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