From Heel Brake To PowerStop -My Progression

[@Tony-zz8lf]

Bill! Billy!! William!!! Love the channel... I can’t stop watching, been with you for years. I have been on skates since my birth in 1967, when in-line skates hit the market I started to roll. I’ve been rolling the mean streets of the 6, the big Smoke, Hogtown... Toronto since 1989, mostly at night, (to avoid the slowbies). For many years I thought I was alone, a freak. Occasionally I would pass the odd fellow blader, a serious skater... but we were anomalies out there. Then about 4 or 5 years ago I stumbled into your channel. I couldn’t believe it! I had found someone with as much passion for inline skating as I had... arguably even more passion! How had I never met you on the streets?!?! Now I know; I am “ToneDawg - the Night-blader”! You are Bill “Stop-hard” - Ruler of the Day-wheels! You are truly gifted not only as a blader but a videographer, editor, corn-ball joke writer... I could go on and on. But I must say, I’ve never understood your obsession with “stopping”! Inline skating is about “going”, not “stopping”. You are very good at it... possibly the best. Maybe it’s because I’m bigger than you and lazier than you... but of course, every time you stop, you have to exert energy to get going again. Also I derive great joy and satisfaction from dekeing in and out of people, obstacles, barriers etc. When I start to fly I never want to stop! Anyway Bill, I’m you’re biggest fan, I’ll never stop watching your videos. To all our fellow skaters out there, Bill’s simple 2 word Axiom is the best athletic advice known to man! Two words; “STAY LOW”. Maybe I’ll see you out there on the night side some time? But probably not, with all you’re stopping you probably won’t be able to catch up to me! I’ll be watching! Skate hard!

[@SarahReborn]

Dude I'm so glad you posted this comment because I felt nuts for wanting to skate at night instead. I'm not a fan of people and I guess I just feel like it's easier to hide and dodge humans at night. My town is stupid and most definitely not built for cyclists and skaters because we've literally had people in cars reaching out of their windows to slap us, see how close they can get, or just lay on the horn to scare us. Just recently some guy in the passenger seat was leaning out of the window so he could hit a cyclist and he fell out, killing himself and the cyclist. So yeah, I feel better about skating at night. They can't see me but I can see them and that's what matters. I'm gonna go out there with more confidence now. My street.

[@BrightSun1979]

Videos? Amazing. Narrative? Amazing. Skill? Unique. One of the kind. You are good man. Thank you for sharing all your experiences and techniques please keep them going.

[@joeblack440]

You do great job. Thx for sharering all your knoledge

[@bommarajub7066]

i still use heel brakes.... hope this will be my way to powerstop and powerslide .......Bill stoppard and shaun unwin you are my gurus.....learned a lot from you guys........thank you

[@dawsdep]

Keep going and before you know it you won't want to use a heel brake at all. Simply because you will feel more comfortable and in control without it. I hope you have a good skate session!

[@davebrown1975]

practice your T-Drags and Carving and soon you'll be combining them to bring yourself to a stop.... next stop the B-STOP

[@paul_k_7351]

Don’t give up on the heel brake. I can power stop on my FR1s, but still keep the heel brake on for emergencies so it’s invaluable for real life city skating. With practice it’s easy to avoid catching it on kerb drops. Plus you can do some cool tricks with it too!

[@HeadNtheClouds]

uncle dolan yes, I agree! I live in a busy city wth hills & a lot of people & dogs & blind turns , so I mostly do a drag, & turn, sometimes slide. When I need to suddenly or unexpectedly stop on a dime or slow down quick, I have that heel brake! I can still hop curbs & maneuver just fine. I do spins on my brake sometimes. Been blading since 1988 soooo.....

[@faleinks]

As I'm struggling a little with stops, this is a great video for me. I just gotta keep practicing!

[@brianpaulbutler1984]

I just added my heal brake back on. My reason is because I'm training my kids to skate and with the constant stopping it is really tearing up my wheels. I do a drag stop into a spin/power stop...but my 125mm wheels are getting pretty worn down. New wheels are over $100 but new brake is less than $5. So I might take it off again eventually but I actually love bombing down a hill and having the option of heel stop drag stop and spin/power stop...the added brake is really saving my wheels! :)

[@swingstylez]

HI Brian, I recently bought a pair of 3x100 (Powerslide) skates but still have 4x80 (Rollerblade) soft shell boots. I'm going to use the 4x80s for drilling power stops hope to transfer the skills. That might work for you too, especially as the 80mm wheels are so much cheaper.

[@gcg8187]

@@swingstylez are frames cheap too? you goota buy thoese too to switch from trisakte to four

[@aleksandarnesovic6869]

An absolute inspiration! Keep 'em coming :msc:

[@johnmark7361]

I need to do better with my power stops especially when I am coming upon an intersection and the husky keeps pulling.

[@geu6270]

Thanks Bill, great encouragement to keep trying but not too many shopping days till Xmas for me . 🤣 I did finally learn on really steep hills that when I slalom slowly down, cutting my back foot more and more actually picking it up and putting it down more angled away, slowed me tremendously without need to drag so much and eat up my wheels. Oh yea, and thanks to watching you verses others that don't really show the dual T's. I learned T slowing when it is not too fast on both sides. Really helps using the legs equally instead of just one side. Thanks again. 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

[@eddysobieralski8075]

Thanks for another great push in the right direction Bill. I wear my Powerslide Protective pants every skate. Today they saved my hip and quad from a sharp lunge turn gone wrong. My leg knee-down is a mess but hey, that's just a bit of gravel rash!

[@BillStoppard]

Way to utilize the magic underpants. So underrated!

[@rayad_khan]

These progression videos are really insightful and encouraging!

[@JCBince]

Thanks Bill. Watching your drills really does help.

[@matthunter4752]

Nice one. If I keep watching then maybe just maybe I will stop falling flat on my face 😂😂 thanks for all your posts they’re great!

[@Darkronikartmusic]

Thank you! I'm really trying. Can't get out of turn stop phase but practicing almost everyday. This helps!

[@Thekoreancouponer]

I'm progressing but at a snail's pace but knowing it isn't easily mastered in a short time gives me encouragement!

[@anteandrovic]

another short & sweet life time of experience jammed into 5 mins of gold...

[@takohma1056]

After waiting 2 months, my skates came in to start practicing! Thanks for the vid!

[@MrKrueger88]

Hey Bill.... I’ve chatted with you before , a few years back ! Glad to see you’ve not lost it at all 😂🤣👍 I’m still lovin it too ... still an advanced beginner , but loving it nonetheless 👍👍👍

[@xXFruchtiXx]

Man you are so on point with your video, feels like you did it just for me as I started training stops with my new skates, first ones without a heel break. Love your videos, I think you are about the coolest guy on youtube. Thanks for the inspiration!

[@masonwilliams7124]

He deserves millions of subs, videos are always great!

[@MhDizzy]

Ah man, it is such a shame you don't have footage of your early days..this is a pretty cool video Bill, nice to get to know a bit more about you. I'm working on tightening my turns so i can hopefully get to the power stop. ATB Marti

[@davebrown1975]

I'm not so sure about seeing back that far.... seeing him using a heal brake.... it just doesn't compute.....

[@BillStoppard]

I also wish I hadn't deleted old footage in a fit of vanity. Good luck M!

[@walterdavisii8936]

I love the mural at the end.

[@flownyc6165]

focusing on the back foot is a game changer. Once you get it omg it's magical! : D

[@HockeyHawk]

This is great Bill, thanks. I stop fairly well, at least I think I can (when I could skate anyway, still healing 😉) I appreciate this in depth visual, it’s how I learn. I’ll be starting all over again soon here and I can use any help I can get! Many thanks, I appreciate you! 🤘🏻🧡

[@DashDrones]

I need to learn to power stop ASAP. BSS marathon time..!

[@davidbennett5947]

Awesome inspiration! Been out this morning working my slide, still very much a beginner but these videos truly help and inspire! Keep 'em coming!

[@klisher]

One of your best videos ever ( 12 tips is up there too) great insights. All the best

[@UnrebornMortuus]

I need hip pads before I learn this. Seriously been falling on the SAME spot on my hips, gonna take it easy until I can afford hip pads I think.

[@philoki]

I have been skating for a few weeks and just came back from a night session trying to learn the power stop. Perfect timing for the video! You are a big inspiration to me, thanks for making these videos. Hope you get more and more recognition. You definitely deserve it. Really like your style and demeanor :D

[@grimmjonog6851]

Your awesome Bill, I needed this.

[@grimmjonog6851]

I'm actually at that stage of needing to adjust my inner foots angle, and it's not the most natural feeling thing yet. Still building my muscles though, only been 2 and half months. 17.5 milse today though, or just over 28k. Felt like I could have gone further with some more food in my stomach.

[@mrkaufmanMTB]

Thanks bill…its the narration for us! 😂😍

[@tonymind308]

Bill i don't need anyone else. I have you!!! Your style hss imbeded in me, and people watch me with wonder.. I go 30km/h already.. When they ask, i tell them :Bill. Stoppard is my King!!!

[@cheesypooo6838]

Bill I appreciate all the videos and tutorials you make. I skate in hockey blades and was wondering if you still do or make a video about the difference in skates and doing the slides. Good work keep it up

[@Gorom101]

Been wondering about this too! My skates have 5 wheels and I'm not sure I can turn tight enough to do a proper power stop.

[@andromedaGalaxi]

This is an inspiration for me right now 🙂

[@ballan00]

Very interesting how you progressed. I am still using the "spiny stop"... well actually I use the "T Stop" to scrub off enough speed that I am comfortable to execute the "spinny stop".

[@andreamodolo4152]

Amazing! Ciao from Italy!

[@dog1648]

i have been waiting for this

[@Nixissus]

I'd love a ten hour version of the first three seconds of this video. So many stops, so little time. Also: Your skates look dope. Thank you

[@IndianSkateNoob]

I have a mini heart attack every time I try doing this stop. Respect!

[@gumbyKeys]

Haha me too.

[@theskatingsiren]

I did it by accident and it felt so amazing. All this time though, I thought I was doing it but mine was actually a T-stop apparently. lol Awesome video!

[@FabiusPyromanus]

Nice looking set up! Would love to see how you would learn the magic slide.!

[@_Volt_Ron_]

"Drill it to kill it." That's great. I'm going to use that for class.

[@nigelbrown2274]

really interesting clip, thanks!

[@inline601]

Looking so good and easy, I'm practicing this at the moment, my issue is my left turning leg end up on the front wheel and right follow nice ark around but it's like 99% of wight on right as I can't get left leg to crank as you do. Practice practice

[@bartstevens4035]

Been trying to do this on my 125 mm wheels. Not easy. And these narrow cycle lanes we have here don't help either, so my go-to is the T (or L) stop. Power stop is for the finishing touch, after I lost some speed with the T-stop.

[@HELLO_AGAIN]

Thanks, Bill PowerStoppard!

[@jacryder735]

LONGLIVENIPSEY!!!

[@brocmt]

I remember when I was getting back into skating, watching Shawn's breakdowns of your style and techniques, and scouring everything to learn proper stopping methods. And now, about three years later, I can bust out a powerslide, stretch it out for a cess slide in my Aeons (handy for saving your wheels), and although I haven't mastered your signature stop, I have come up with one of my own that works well, and leaves a cool trail. The Magic slide is something I'd really love to have under my belt, though, from both a functionality and practicality standpoint. Wearing both inside edges makes for cleaner wheel rotation, and it is a crucial skill to have for downhill where you'd really rather have two edges braking. Have you practiced it much, Bill?

[@tittumsmcsprinkles9020]

I am still in my "spinny stop phase". You would probably yell at me but I took my brake off ASAP to force myself to learn a more reliable stop. I find myself stuck in this phase. I actually had my first proper fall on Sunday I went out skating while angry and in a hurry so I had no pads. I got some gnarly road rash on my hand and elbow to show for it. What I feel my two biggest issues are the fact I have a hard time staying low. My knees want to be locked all the time and what I feel is an even bigger issue is the only time I scissor is when I see what is incoming threatening terrain.

[@charleyweinhardt]

My situation is I skate long distances and I skate through Boston the roads are crap and I'm always going up and down mountainous Hills I figured out that you can use half a hockey puck as a rear brake and you can get a hockey puck for $2 easily. I can't seem to not imagine situations where the heel break could save my life, cuz I'm a Speed Demon and I like to weave through cars and I like that I can go back to the rear heal and then lay my body into a flat bobsled position on the ground in extreme emergency to not hit somebody or get hit by a car. And so I live with the battle of wanting to lose the brake but always wanting to go as fast as I can in any situation. If I'm on Route 9 going down a mountain of a hill and the roads are terrible for if it's wet I think I need to break. The other thing is that I have expensive Wheels and I hate the idea of them getting worn unevenly. I usually use my heel into a swoop. I would like to see Bill or some other people stop in speeds like downhill with really bad roads I'm often in situation where there's traffic and I don't have the ability to slalom I'm riding on the shoulder of an interstate or I'm tight between a car and a parked car. When you don't have to break you have to be more cautious and you have to check your speed when you have a break I feel like I can go more extreme with my fitness orientated Style

[@outcastedanomaly1121]

4:36 I see you Nipsey R.I.P . great video Bill :D

[@dusanpohronsky6149]

Thank you 🙏

[@dangerouswater]

0:50 wait... is Bill walking??? What’s going on?!

[@abdulmuneermpmabdulmuneer7366]

Sir I am bigner I dont have trainer my practices always alone nobody is not ther for helping for me it is so helpful to me sir thanks 😊

[@stardead38]

Yeah super inspiring!

[@TheKizl]

very beautyfull frame)

[@Belhade]

I've been taking my skating more seriously in the past several months and stopping is still one of my weakest parts. I'm still at the swoop phase :)

[@Kevin40las]

I also swoop. It’s powerful and predictable but tightening up the radius will allow it to work in narrow places like sidewalks. Thanks for all of your great videos Bill.

[@andrewharvey2326]

“Roller Jams training camp... don’t ask.” Bill, I have a question for you.

[@BillStoppard]

You can always ask...

[@icarusridickerus]

@@BillStoppard ok, I'll bite. what is Roller Jams training camp? I can't find it in google.

[@NikZvi]

I hoped I will see you with a heel brake in this video. But nope... Only a hell brake. And I want more biographical videos like this!

[@illmasm]

Greatly appreciate if you could provide a direct link to the boots you are wearing to read more about them. I believe they have multiple mounting options for the frames and also for the cuffs to help with canting. These might be the pair that works for me. The current adapts I have provide very few options. The right leg is not delivering like the left. Playing around with the axis might help. Tried searching for 'Fr1 city skate' that may not be the exact name for the boot.

[@timburks9537]

Thanks for this video! Your perfectionism and humility about the power stop is really inspiring, and the banged-up pads are great encouragement to skate safe. BTW nice skates! (hey, could you add a link to those hip pads?)

[@eddysobieralski8075]

@Tim Burks - if you're in Europe, I got mine here - www.skatepro.uk/51-33707.htm?stockcode=903267 If you're in NA, this is Bill's recommendation - www.proskatersplace.com/shop/protective-gear-and-apparel/protective-shorts/powerslide-protective-skater-shorts/

[@abiodunadekunle6029]

Nice one bro

[@heltonjonhpmu]

Parabéns Bill você anda muito bem , estou voltando a patinar gosto dos seu vídeos , tenta colocar legenda em português em seus vídeos. Ficaria show

[@gabrielljx]

Hi Bill, how about doing a video to update on your favourite skate set up now. I play inline hockey and am currently on a hilo 80/76mm set up, but I want to do more urban skating, jump around a little and go for longer skates. Was thinking about getting a tri skates. What are your thoughts and recommendations

[@陳雪紅-j9l]

cool action

[@paul_k_7351]

Great video Bill, but for all those up and coming skaters, don’t give up on the heel brake too quickly. I can power stop on my FR1s, but still keep the heel brake on for emergencies and find it invaluable for real life city/street skating especially when in tight spaces and there isn’t the room to crank out a power stop. With practice it’s easy to avoid catching it on kerb drops (as Bill said himself in his kerb dropping tutorial! 😀)

[@private1014]

Hi Bill Can you tell me what is the difference in braking on these rolls from the film and the rolls with three 110mm wheels (seba fr1) I am a new fan of your channel💪👍

[@elixier.music030]

Perfect! 🥳🤩

[@carpenter751]

I'm kinda over the 360 cam. I think in a few generations of that tech it might be better but I find my self watching some of your older vids to get some of that go pro clarity. I don't mind seeing it from time to time but I think your main cam should still be the go-pro for the quality of picture.

[@CaptainDulios]

Hello Bill Stoppard, I am a newbie skater with a question. I have the K2 VO2 100x Pros a 90-100 hilo setup with 83a wheels. I feel like it is insanely hard to slide like this because the wheels feel very grippy. I cannot do the spinneroo as well, nor parallel turn. I am very confident on the heelbrake though. The things i want to learn are, what is the initial body positioning and what changes do you go through? How do you move your ankles? and all this breakdown stuff about your power stops. I think stopping (and parallel turns) is one of the things that kills my ambition for the future. I would be very happy if you could break down the powerstop into bits, and step by step explanation. (I have checked nearly all your other videos and havent found what I am looking for :P)

[@jps8678]

Hi. You are very good skating. How do you cross tramline? I walk and it feels very clumsy and I almost fall everytime because there is oftern four tramways close together.

[@nathancruz2843]

I'm still hitting the practice. Exploring my lean. So much so that I get too much lean and end up doing a powerstop with my outer thighs. Eventually the bruises will become less and less as my technique becomes better and better. To all my friendly skaters. Dont be ashamed of falling in front of strangers walking by. You are practicing, trying something new, and pushing yourself:) it's easy to walk, but to slide and glide... well that's our story! Cheers eh. Be safe and have fun.

[@gumbyKeys]

Still having a hard time nailing the power stop.

[@yoni1983]

hi bill great video 🏆 i try to powerstop with my 83a wheels and i feel like they are too soft to stop with.... is it true or i just scared to losing control ?

[@MikeTrixPlays]

I'm wondering this as well!

[@brujalinda]

Love the graffiti ❤️

[@markpodonnell]

Hey Stoppard. Using Mars Blades on asphalt in Austin. Need to perfect this stop and been trying but I’m thinking my wheels are too hard. Y’all have any suggestions on wheel hardness. I keep sliding out and falling in my hip. Broke my phone 😢

[@mirianpenaloza9106]

Exelente!!!

[@franckbrusset]

Nice! By the way, have you compared your powerslide liner to the original liner of the Fr1 ?

[@comatose222]

It looked in the video like you were primarily using the right leg as the front stopping leg. What is you experience power stopping switch? I took a piece of advice from one of your other videos and I have been training drag stops with both legs to "mixed" results.

[@z.k2082]

What wheels are you using to powerstop and powerslide? Is it possible to do this with 80mm 85A?

[@22chainlink22]

That's perfect

[@maxgreene8285]

Hey Bill, I've been a longtime subscriber on your KZbin channel and happened to notice that you stop with your right foot forward. I've been practicing the power stop a lot but feel better stopping with left foot forward. Should I be practicing both sides for good measure? And weird question but are you a leftie or righty? 😄

[@matheuscardoso1262]

hey you should put a link to your deep house playlist on the next video!!

[@alancwwong]

Where (online) can I buy that bum/tailbone guard shorts you showed us?

[@ajidarmaka218]

Dear Mr Bill,i have question, I have an inline skate, with 76mm front and rear wheels, but the two in the middle are 80mm, will that affect the balance?when I try to make the transition from from forward to backward?, I often lose balance,i am beginner..

[@cerenademe9433]

Love your channel, Bill! Like everyone else, you are one of the reasons I picked up rollerblades for the first time at 55. Question: Can you do your power stop in both directions?

[@cerenademe9433]

@@testsubjectzero8918 Haha - funny the questions I ask that I ultimately learn the answers to. When I posted this, I had no idea who he was 🤣

[@Enigmaafk]

How hard are those wheels on this video? Also are your skate rockered. Thanks

[@aaronclarkt]

"I love him!"

[@snuffles1991]

Sup Bill, question, what hardness are the wheels you use?

[@allisonhay8760]

Curious where you live? Where you are skating? Great grafitti

[@ameerrusydanirfan1054]

It's surreal to find out that you used the heel brake back in the day, goes to show that everyone starts somewhere, too. Gives me hope :'). Hey, just curious and open to anyone here. I kinda wanna know the difference between the wheel/rocker setups. My skates come in a full rocker setup where the 2 wheels in the middle are bigger (useful for slalom skaters, but apparently not for novices). Made me a little tipsy, and just eats up my confidence cuz I feel like I'll just fall everytime. Will placing the bigger wheels on the front and back as opposed to the middle make a diff? Or should I buy the same sized wheels? Thanks! - Sincerely, an inline skate noob.

[@slimal1]

I need better wheels than those that came with my Zetrablade, before I can start practicing this. Any recommendations?

[@stefanbugaj243]

I threw some Flying Eagle RX Wings on my Zetrablades and they worked really nice, I haven't learned this stop though. I don't trust those blades to hold up to these quick maneuvers.

[@Daedje]

You can never go wrong with Undercover wheels.

[@petrsvoboda7710]

Power stop - Hockey stop - Parallel slide. Are these 3 names one and the same thing?

[@wot_noobclown5621]

great, nice insights. do you ever power stop to your left side as well?

[@MikeTrixPlays]

Do you need special wheels to do this, will they work with the clear/transparent softer wheels?

[@BryantAvant]

Have you found it easier or harder to power stop with bigger wheels? I have 3x110s and haven't skated since I was younger.

[@noefSCDccc]

On tomorrow I go to making the heel brake. If I write not then I broke down.) I'm sorry my English.

[@Zultchy]

you'll never see this, but do you lead your scissor stance with your left or your right foot when cruising?

[@luke_h11]

What kind of wheels are these? Recreational? Freestyle?...

[@HELLO_AGAIN]

Bill, how many wheels did you kill trying to hone your stopping skills?

[@ctsxhp326]

Is it just me, or do you only stop in the one direction? Unfortunately I skate one side dominant as well and that kinda kills my even wheel wear.

[@Bavmorda]

He does have some earlier videos of his practice sessions in the rink, where he actually practices both sides equally. But I believe when in the streets he usually prioritizes safety and control over wheels (or body!) symmetry, skills showing or any other things. Same with backwards skating for example; there used to be a lot of great stuff in practice sessions in a controlled environment; but in the street you need to relay on the best and quickest version of your reactions.

[@Bavmorda]

There's ways to rotate your wheels to keep that irregular wearing more even, if done regularly it works miracles.

[@theshinylunatone3966]

How long did it take you to become so good at rollerblading