Rollerskiing for Beginners | The Basics - Session #1

In this video Scott Dixon covers the basics of rollerskiing from what equipment is needed, and how to use it properly, to taking your first tentative steps out on the rollerskis.
The lessons discussed in this video are also applicable to those coaching beginners, or people who are fairly new to rollerskiing. Re-visiting the basics is always helpful.
Below is a complete step by step outline of the session:
Beginner Rollerski Video - Introduction to rollerskiing - the basics
1: The basics: Equipment
1. Wear a helmet.
2. Wear something bright.
3. Wear gloves and if it makes you feel better, consider knee and elbow pads. Even if you don’t, consider tuba grips.
4. Boots - tighten.
5. Putting on rollerski .
6. Don’t put your poles on just yet.
2: Legs
1. First, walk on the grass - get used to the sideways slide and glide. Objective: retain outward angle of skis. Repeat.
2. Take off one ski and go on tarmac. Ski up and down on one ski. Then extend length of time on each ski, attempting to balance a little longer each time. Objective: Find your balance threshold on the rollerski.
3. Swap foot.
4. Put on both skis on the grass, then whilst leaning forward, do mini steps on the tarmac just as you did on the grass. No gliding at this point.
5. Attempt gliding and practice for five minutes.
6. Once stable, perform glide and clap. Objective: To get your nose, hip, knee and toe all in one line over the rollerski when you clap your hands. Avoid: Don’t just move your hands side to side. Use whole body.
3: Cornering/stopping.
1. Mini steps to left and right. Objective: Get used to being on one ski and moving laterally.
2. Spin on spot with lots of little fast steps.
3. Attempt to step in a circle.
4. Point inside leg where you want to go.
5. How to stop: Bail out into the grass. Don’t do flat footed. Practice putting one ski ahead of the other and weighting your back leg.
4: Poles
1. Straps - tighten to get used to letting go as early as possible. Objective: Be able to hold poles up behind you with arms fully extended. This is hard and requires palms of hands facing the sky, and tight poles.
2. Start by just pushing single arms. Objective: Teach bent arms from the beginning.
3. Double pole to finish with bent arms.
4. Conclusion. Practice separately before attempting to combine poles and legs.

[@petermartynowych5452]

Excellent. Glad you took the time to each step in detail

[@perfectgame23]

Just spent 45 minutes doing the glide/clap drill. What a difference! Beginners have to realize that while this is a 17 minute video, it will take many weeks to get thru all of these drills to the point of developing confidence and some skill. Baby steps.

[@NorDixonSkiSchool]

That is fantsatic! Yes, it can take some time. It depends a lot on your equipment, your facilities (smoothness of concrete), and general balance as to how long it takes you to get up and running, or in this case, gliding. Well done for putting in the work!

[@jennymissen3523]

Thank you, Scott. This is a great video. I am just starting out on roller skis at the age of 63. I am previously a down-hill skier, but the roller ski thing is HARD! Your video will help me start out correctly. Very grateful!

[@lmcleon]

Great tips, the grass stopping trick was an eye opener for me. You taking your time to show the how-not-tos is very helpful. By the way the stumble at 11:40 was hilarious. Thank you for posting and sharing your experience

[@perfectgame23]

I gotta say, I’m only about half way thru this video, but man it is spot on. I’ve been watching instructional roller skiing videos for about 2-3 months now, and this one is truly the best. I watch in small segments to try to absorb all the info. I bought Skikes about three months ago and making progress. Your video will really help. Thx.

[@NorDixonSkiSchool]

You're very welcome. Thanks for checking it out! It means a lot to get that comment. I'm working on a free 40 video series to get people of all levels doing the right techniques and this really encourages me to keep going. Good luck with the training!

[@auracarmi]

Great video. I am learning to roller ski and this is one of the best beginner videos I have seen. Thank you!

[@chrisoffersen]

Great teaching techniques! Thanks for taking the time to post this very useful video. Much appreciated.

[@user-wk7xy9mm3e]

Been a long time since I did any rollerski training 1980's. Thing I used to hate was the hardness you feel from the ski tip on the road surface and the speed the pole tips wear down. I did make some ski pole tips with tungsten rods brazed in metal tube ferrules that slipped over the end of the pole. Now I'm an oldie this makes me want to give it a go one more time, I have a lot of fitness training to do first I think,. and my memory is still good enough to remember tarmac frigging hurts. UK could do with a few dedicated car free rollerski paths with good reliable surfaces. Thanks for your motivating videos, great stuff, love it...

[@blexicon8914]

Scot: what a brilliantly conceived and filmed lesson. So much better than anything I've watched before. I'm currently building up my strength on an ancient Nordic track ski machine. I'll try to implement your advice on the correct arm action and put your lesson into practice asap.

[@NorDixonSkiSchool]

Amazing! So glad to hear it. Good luck with the elbow and let me know if yiu have any questions on getting that motion with your elbows - video coming soon on that

[@mjfadden]

Great Instructive Video!!

[@delphinelb8774]

Great tutorial step by step, thank you for sharing 🙏

[@NorDixonSkiSchool]

Thanks for watching! Let me know if you have any specific problems I can help with

[@coursetrailavecbatonsolivi6247]

Vraiment très didactique et concis..merci.

[@waynekurtz5558]

Outstanding Scott! Just moving to skate ski's after classic rollers. Thanks!

[@NorDixonSkiSchool]

Amazing! Good luck with the transition. Let me know if you have any specific areas that I can help you with or make a video about :)

[@mjjames1070]

A very helpful video.

[@NorDixonSkiSchool]

Glad to hear it! If you're struggling with anything in particular let me know as it will influence the next videos I make

[@lostintheclouds8719]

I’m a beginner. What kind of cross skate would you recommend for me? I’ve mostly been looking at the ones that have the pneumatic tires

[@19boro76]

Thanks for the insight Scott!! Great and very informative video!! I would like to start rollerskiing and have a few questions. Could you advice on the gear "rollerski's types, binding, boots and poles please? I am thinking of starting with classic style (someones suggestions I've red on the internet). I do not need costly equipment, however I would like something durable and decent (no very cheap stuff). Could you help me with that, please? Again it is really great video. Thumbs up!!

[@rayonaire1262]

I live in Korea, and I really want to try roller skiing, but I can't find a place to buy the equipment. Could you please let me know where I can purchase the equipment? Thank you.

[@perfectgame23]

Scott, I have a bad habit of having my back leg lag or drag behind me when I glide on the front foot. I’ve been using your “glide/clap” drills to try to remedy this. The clap is a cue (reminder) for me to get off the back foot and bring it forward. I’m guessing it is a fear or lack of balance that keeps that lagging foot behind. Your thoughts?

[@NorDixonSkiSchool]

Brilliant question, and more importantly, a common problem. You've managed to correctly identify the issue I think. So the solution isn't actually about the foot placement or movement. It's about your balance. Here are three drills: 1, balance on one rollerski on grass. Aim to get up to one minute on each leg. 2: balance on one leg on concrete (asphalt) but use your poles to support your weight. Gradually decrease reliance on poles until you are just using one pole. 3, standing on one leg with both poles taking most of your weight lift your front wheel side to side while the back wheel stays down. Start with tiny movements until eventually you can lift it 15 - 45 degrees. Lean forward for safety reasons in the drill! Or you may fall backwards Improving these balance exercises will help you commit more weight to your ski and you'll be able to lift your leg more confidently. Let me know if a video would help to demonstrate this.

[@perfectgame23]

@@NorDixonSkiSchool Scott, I’m making serious progress. I always start my sessions with a few (usually quite a lot) of your drills. They’ve helped tremendously! Thx, Don

[@youtroop]

also good for non beginner Scott

[@NorDixonSkiSchool]

I think some of these fundamental drills are overlooked. So it's useful for people of most levels to come back to them. I certainly teach my athletes these drills.

[@airgaborpara3824]

Skike better because the wheels are inflatable, more suspension, less noise

[@NorDixonSkiSchool]

Do you use inflatable wheels? What rollers you got?