How to stop on inline skates & rollerblades: Heel Brake Stop Online Coaching: Mistakes & Fixes

In this video I analyse Michèle's Heel brake Stop in order to make corrections and suggestions for practice. These will be useful for anyone wanting to better use and master their heel brake stop. And if you are using a heel brake then I applaud you!
Please IGNORE anyone telling you to remove your brake. t is the easiest and most effective method for beginner inline skaters.
Too many beginner inline skaters are removing their heel brakes when they didn't even learn to use or master them, blaming the equipment (for whatever reason) or listening to the misguidance of skate friends who encourage removing the brake. This is the most dangerous habit happening in skating worldwide and it's a huge mistake because all other methods are MUCH HARDER to learn.
The heel Brake is THE first stop any inline skater should learn when they begin to rollerblade. It should not be removed until you have at least 2-3 OTHER stopping methods that stop you from your highest speeds. Then you are ready.
Let me know in the comments below what you found useful and if you are still using your brake we'd like to congratulate you! It's too easy to succumb to peer pressure on this issue.
The NEW “Stops & Slides” Online course features the 5 most important stopping methods for inline skaters and you can pick & mix which methods you want the most. Don’t leave your stopping to trial & error. One nasty fall early on in your skating can lead to giving up altogether.
skatefresh.com/stops-slides/
Who is Asha Skatefresh?
• Founder of Skatefresh.com (since 2000)
• Skate Coach for BBC and Disney's "Soy Luna"
• Powerslide Brand Ambassador (since 2011)
• Quads figure skater who represented Great Britain internationally.
• Skating for 39 years
• Teaching inlines and quads for 22 years
• 356 Instructors Certified worldwide (with ICP - Inline Certification Program)
NEW Stops & Slides Online Training - which of the 5 essential stops do you need most?
skatefresh.com/stops-slides/
Are you desperate to get better at skating?
Let Asha help you for FREE. Get Instant, FREE access to several Video Course lessons.
Just choose course theme, level and skate type (inlines or quads).
Click "Free Trial" next to the Trailer Video on each page for FREE access.
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Are you a compete beginner and apprehensive about getting hurt?
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1. Static Preparations + Basic Movement skatefresh.com/product/how-to...
2. Basic Stride skatefresh.com/product/how-to...
INTERMEDIATE INLINE - FREE VIDEO TRAININGS
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The harder stuff doesn't come so easily anymore. Expand your repertoire of skills with new stops, turns and more speed.
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3. Lunge Turn skatefresh.com/product/how-to...
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5. Barrel Roll skatefresh.com/product/how-to...
6. Double Push Speed Skating Technique skatefresh.com/product/how-to...
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7. Static Preparations + Basic Movement (Quads)
skatefresh.com/how-to-quad-ro...
INTERMEDIATE QUADS - FREE VIDEO TRAINING
Have you hit a wall in your progress? Having trouble stopping?
Every Quaddie needs a T-stop that works!
8. T-Stop skatefresh.com/how-to-quad-ro...
YOGA FOR SKATERS
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9. skatefresh.com/yoga-for-skaters/
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Video footage: @skaterstu_brightonskate
Video edit: CMJ Video

[@isabelfrancobaracal1315]

Hi Asha! I started inline skating 2 months ago. Around 3 days after starting I went to a park, was caught by surprise in a slope and the heel brake "didn't work", so I threw myself on the grass and landed in a bunch of thorns. After that, and after cursing the heel brake a bit, I watched your other video about heel brakes and how it works even on slopes. I trained the scissoring position and I've mastered it. Last weekend I returned to a park for the first time and used the heel brake in every single slope I've found, even some big ones. It worked perfectly and I thank you for that! I'm struggling to learn other stopping ways, the t stop is very hard and the plough slows me down but doesn't stop me yet, but I'm happy that at least one stop I have it! You are a great teacher!!!!!🔥🔥🔥

[@SkatefreshVideos]

Well done You! I wish every beginner skater could read your experience as this would inspire them to not remove their heel brakes but instead to learn to use it properly! Great that you persevered. Keep at it. Yes the T-stop is challenging, it's not easy but it will come with time and the Plough as well. Keep learning, focussing and practicing using the right techniques and you will just continue to improve, which is a great feeling and highly addictive!

[@Char1ieskate]

can you powerslide yet?

[@anjollabanton230]

Just ordered my heel brakes for fr inline skates. Thank you for inspiring a beginner 👍

[@irishgel2966]

This is by far the best explanation I've watched..as a 34yr old this gives me hope.. Thank you 😘

[@OscarHernandez-sp8mw]

Learning how to inline skate at the age of 37 and terrified but sticking with it. I am on week two of learning. Your videos have been a gem to my safe learning. Using the hind brakes is so frightening to me. I am terrified at sliding the leg forward to break, it’s as if I am glued to the ground. I can’t seem to get it to wheel ahead of me. I hope to get it soon!

[@SkatefreshVideos]

Hi. This is Sergio from Team Skatefresh. Don't worry, I've been there too. What is important for the brake is to remember that there is absolutely nothing abrupt when you use it. Asha didn't mention it in the video but there is a position called scissors which is a stage previous to apply the brake. You need to practice that, it's a glide position with one skate ahead. The skate is not perfectly aligned in front, only ahead of the other, and all wheels are on the floor with more weight on the back leg. Some people have many problems to achieve this position but it's essential, so you start with half scissors, and progress bit by bit, until you have a scissor long enough to apply the brake as Asha says. The secret is to bend your knees. Then when you practice the stop don't go directly to the brake, instead it's better to go through the different stages: 1) ready 2) scissors 3) toe lift with rear wheel in contact with the floor and brake engaging 4) sit down on an imaginary chair. You will see those stages in this other video where Asha did have a heel brake attached kzbin.info/www/bejne/d36XoaevmteAqNE It's also explained with more details in the free trial of How to Stop: Beginners online course here skatefresh.com/product/how-to-stop-beginner-level/

[@OscarHernandez-sp8mw]

@@SkatefreshVideos Thank you for your prompt response, I greatly appreciate it. I am closely studying the videos. I will practice the progression you mentioned! Thanks again!

[@Phjghh]

I am learning for the first time at age 42. Take heart.

[@unusualamsterdam]

@@SkatefreshVideos What a high level response! This will help any skater.

[@kevincartalla2393]

I learned braking without the heel brake, but im very thankful for this asha

[@SkatefreshVideos]

Good as long as your methods stop and control you, that's what's important.

[@alengrba]

Where that tool roll video gone? I liked the explanation, "keep your lights horizontal" 🤣 That's a good one 👏

[@SkatefreshVideos]

Yes that always works to keep people's posture UP! The HNBs ;)

[@jps8678]

Thanks. I use heal break mostly if I need to stop little faster. Only doing T-brake for one second because if I do it longer my wheels are going sharp. Instead of slowing down and using T-brake I do turns if there is room for it. I learned those turns from you Asha. So thank you.

[@SkatefreshVideos]

Sounds like your sliding skate in T-stop is a bit heavy, try bending the front knee even more till 85% weight there. Yes turns are great for slowing down when you have the sideways space. You're welcome x

[@jps8678]

@@SkatefreshVideos Thanks. I didn't know that. It's too heavy: I bent more my front knee.

[@chio7786]

Gracias, Asha!, me encantan tus videos.

[@michelefisher2072]

Thank you Asha! So helpful!!! Michèle from Sacramento

[@SkatefreshVideos]

Thanks to you Michèl for your video and for taking part. I hope the exercises ned rills suggested here for y are doable and you notice what they are training. Do them regularly and see if and how your heel brake improves. Let us know here how you go. We'll be vey interested.

[@chrislindsey1278]

Fantastic rundown. Thanks Asha!

[@SkatefreshVideos]

I hope this makes your heel brake super reliable and user friendly in real life urban situations?

[@stevefox3763]

you should see how hard im on the backstop on my quads when i need to stop like yesterday, my left skate is totally off the ground and hanging behind me and the back wheels of my right skate are barely making contact with the ground, im balancing on virtually just the stop and man can i stop in a hurry when i need too coupled with the most insane screaming from the stop ha ha!

[@SkatefreshVideos]

I think that's actually the most effieicnet stop, the one footed heel stop or Heel stop 2 in ICP language. I've seen several people around the world use it to great effect and you sound like one of them. It's extremely efficient from high speeds and uses the full weight on the stopper rubber. But so few learn to master that balance. Well done!

[@alekcvolk2627]

спасибо. Казахстан вас смотрит и слушает!!!!

[@timspencer9650]

I started inline skating a few weeks ago - trying to keep up with my wife and daughter who already skate! I am amazed that I can stay on my feet on even surfaces and just about use the heel brake, but no way I can get the brake out in front of the other foot. I'm sure my back knee is over the foot and I am fairly upright, almost all my weight on the back foot (maybe too much?), but when I try to slide the other foot forward the back of my leg presses on the boot and I get stuck. The only way to move the braking foot forward is to lift the front wheel but this happens when it is almost alongside the back foot instead of being out in front. Looks easy when you do it and even when I try without skates. What am I doing wrong?

[@SkatefreshVideos]

Hi. This is Sergio from Team Skatefresh. I can't see you so I don't know exactly what the problem is. However, I think you need to practice the scissor position a lot more, with all wheels on the floor, and having in count what Asha said in the video when she used the chalk. Both knees have to be bent in the scissor position. Only when you can cruise comfortably in that position you will be able to engage the heel brake little by little.

[@pandmantom]

What about mid turn? How do you recommend stopping in this?

[@SkatefreshVideos]

Do you mean, how do you stop when you are in the middle of a turn? If so then the answer is, you should be in the parallel turn (unless you re a beginner) so you'll be in the scissor position and can then easily apply your brake if it's on the skate in front of you. If not then you'll have to do a. quick scissor change to brake. If you are a beginner and in the A free turn then you are almost in the perfect position to do a rough or stepping plough stop. So lots of options.

[@TrickyUtah]

or hear me out, hockey stop or T stop. both really good stops and you can get rid of the stopper.

[@SkatefreshVideos]

Hi. This is Sergio from Team Skatefresh. Those are really good stops but not for beginners.

[@jaysonyzuca98]

Hi, Asha! I. Am here again. May I just ask if it is recommendable to a beginner to have a heel brake on their skates? I do not have one.

[@SkatefreshVideos]

Hi. This is Sergio from Team Skatefresh. Yes! The heel brake is definitely great when you are a beginner. Depending on the skates you have you could mount a heel brake that is sold separately (Rollerblade, Powerslide, and Seba are brands that have this possibility, but you should ask in a skate shop about it because the skate model must match). Either that or you can learn some other methods to stop, however, those other methods are tricky because they require quite a bit of balance, strength, or even flexibility, that's why we totally advocate the use of the heel brake, because those requirements are usually not present in beginners. The heel brake brings you confidence from the get-go, the other methods are for intermediate/advanced skaters. Apart from the heel brake there is one method that is good for beginners: the stepping plough.

[@jaysonyzuca98]

@@SkatefreshVideos Thank you, Sergio.

[@sharonschmeling6873]

Hi Asha, which outdoor roller blades for beginners do you recommend ?

[@SkatefreshVideos]

Hi. This is Sergio from Team Skatefresh. Choose a model that is comfortable for you, that has a good ankle support, and that comes with a heel brake. That's in general Asha's advice for beginners who want to buy inline skates for the first time. I'd add to stay with the recognized brands: Powerslide, Rollerblade, K2, Seba/FR, Flying Eagle, Micro, but that depends on what they sell in your area, how much you are willing to spend, etc.

[@didjaseemyjams1582]

Why break in front of the dominant foot instead of in back?

[@SkatefreshVideos]

Hi. This is Sergio from Team Skatefresh. In a right-handed person the dominant leg is usually the right, therefore that person will have a better support on the left leg to take most of the weight. This makes possible to engage the brake using the right leg.

[@didjaseemyjams1582]

@@SkatefreshVideos I see! Thank you!

[@edna9704]

Não entendi nada.. Eu preciso de um vídeo desse em português ou espanhol estou aprendendo e n sei frear

[@SkatefreshVideos]

Oi. Sou o Sergio do Team Skatefresh. Está mais detalhado em inglês mas tem um vídeo em português aqui kzbin.info/www/bejne/moDaemqlhJlpmqM onde você verá a distância entre os patins que a Asha explica.

[@cerebrumexcrement]

u can do this on quads? 😳 must try.

[@SkatefreshVideos]

Hi. This is Sergio from Team Skatefresh. Sure you can as long as those quads have a stopper in the back. Most of them have it in front.

[@jeanferreira2097]

Saudade dos vídeos em português 😕

[@jeanferreira2097]

@@SkatefreshVideos ansioso 😍

[@SkatefreshVideos]

Oi. Sou o Sergio do Team Skatefresh. Estamos tentando fazer em português também, mas leva tempo. Por enquanto, você pode ver este outro vídeo em português sobre essa mesma técnica kzbin.info/www/bejne/moDaemqlhJlpmqM

[@Stray1One]

I’m scared,

[@SkatefreshVideos]

Scared to use your heel brake? Follow the instructions and make sure your brake goes on IN FRONT of the front wheel of the back skate. Then it works.

[@Phjghh]

Teaching heel braking without using heel brake pad. This is unacceptable.

[@SkatefreshVideos]

I agree it's not ideal. However I have serious issues getting heel brakes to fit on the slightly rocketed frames I use. Hopefully the technique points still come across clearly.

[@jonbertocchi173]

How about you stop calling inline skates rollerblades.. rollerblade is a brand name of inline skates..

[@SkatefreshVideos]

You are indeed correct. I'm afraid it's for goggle purposes as so many people unfortunately do not know this detail about the brand. Guilty as charged. I never say it. Only on social.

[@jonbertocchi173]

@@SkatefreshVideos alrighty

[@malachilatroy]

@@jonbertocchi173 yk the brand named themselves rollerblade for marketing purposes right?😂