Basic striding begins when side push is added to the basic duck walk. Side push is added by modifying the v-stance to a t-stance to allow the skate in front to move forward.
How to Begin Your Inline Skating Stride
- Start in the t-stance with knees bent and body weight supported by one skate. The skate in front will be the weight bearing skate, will aim where you want to go and will remain under your body. Another term for the weight bearing skate is the employed skate.
- Use the inside of the wheels of the other skate to push to the side and back while keeping the body still and over the rolling skate. The skate or leg that is doing the pushing is sometimes called the free skate or free leg.
- When the push foot returns, allow the skates to glide side-by-side before the next push. They are both employed.
- Now use the opposite skate to push from a t-stance to the side and back.
- Allow the skates to glide side-by-side before the next push.
Continue this exchange, keeping your body still and your inline skates under your body (not more than shoulder wide - closer is better). This is the basic stride. The first few attempts may be a little shaky, but with practice this will begin to look and feel like inline skating. Remember to keep your knees bent and push gently to start the glide.
