The T-Stop
The T-Stop
By Jim Safianuk, Publisher
May 14th, 2005
Copyright 2005, JKS Publishing
All Rights Reserved
Advanced skaters sometimes prefer to use the T-stop as a quick way to slow down.
However, excessive use of this means of stopping can prematurely wear out
the inside edges and the profile of your wheels.
If this isn’t a major concern for you, by all means use the T-stop when it’s
to your advantage to do so. The T-stop is applied by forming a T-shape
with your skates.
To make a T-stop:
Stand in the ready position.
Move into a staggered stance.
Make three or four strides to pick up speed.
Keep your right skate out in front and facing straight ahead.
Lift your left skate about 3 inches off the pavement.
Notice how the skater’s left skate has cleared the pavement and
is positioned correctly for the next step which involves a quick
movement of the left skate to the outside. The skater needs to
keep the right skate pointing straight ahead. He is now balancing
entirely over his right skate, which is providing lateral stability. The hands are out in front and the head is up.
Move your left skate about 1 foot back and out to your side.
Notice how the left skate is now positioned properly
for the next step which involves a quick, pivoting action.
Pivot your left skate in the air until it make a 90-degree angle with the heel of your right skate.
Place your left skate back on the surface about 6 to 12 inches straight behind you.
At the same time as your skate touches the surface, tilt the inside edges of your back skate so they make a
15-degree angle with the pavement.
Drag all four wheels of your back skate to stop.
You have now formed a T-shape with your skates. The T-stop requires good balance and a proper posture
throughout owing to the amount of weight and pressure you need
to exert on the front skate.
Instructor's Note:
Notice the clearances that are specified in steps 5, 6, and
8. It’s important that you don’t clip the back of your right
skate when you pivot your left skate behind your right skate.
In addition, you could also use the T-stop with your left skate
out front and your right skate behind you. However, this is more
difficult and cumbersome since your brake may get in the way
when you attempt to pivot and place your right skate down on the
pavement.
Summing up
Use the above maneuver when you need to stop in a hurry
because of a crowded trail or an obstacle in your path.
Until next time, have a great season of inline skating!
For the complete lesson
The above article deals exclusively with the advanced maneuver dubbed the
T-Stop. To find out how to master the Crossover method for turning around bends in the trail
and the Short-Radius Parallel Turn for skating on steeper hills, as well as how to
sprint to improve your aerobic endurance and stride and glide like a long-track
speed skater refer to Lesson #3 Advanced Trail Skating.
If you prefer, check out the
Skating Module,
which contains three skating lessons. Lesson #1 For Beginners Only, Lesson #2 Intermediate Trail Skating,
and Lesson #3 Advanced Trail Skating are all included in this module.
About the Author
Jim Safianuk is the writer and publisher of the three-part
series entitled Skating Lessons, as well as the two-part series named
Skate Maintenance. He is also the developer and owner of the
Inline
Skating Center. The site was recently established to act as a hub for the recreational, inline skating community.
For information about our skating lessons, maintenance module, and trail guides, send
an e-mail to .
You can also e-mail Jim at the .
The Toronto
Trailbladers is an adult, inline skating club based in Toronto, Ontario, which he helps to
organize in the summer months.
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