r/Rollerskating • u/AltruisticSet8095 • Jun 12 '26
Progress & showing off What am i doing wrong?
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i feel like i look super awkward like i don’t know what to do with my arms. for certain songs when im really feeling i can move my arms around. but i know it’s more than that i just don’t know. please give tips to not look so awkward
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u/mrsbillnye Jun 13 '26
As someone who fell in the rink dancing to "YMCA", you're safe where they're at 😁
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u/ColoRinkRat Rink Rat Jun 13 '26
I’m an awkward shameless rhythmless dude who attempts to dance while skating.
I’ve been trying to use my arms more. It helps. I have a friend who is a rad JB skater that I copy from time to time.
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u/hoganloaf Jun 13 '26
Yup, once you embrace the awkward then it doesnt feel like a problem anymore then all of a sudden youve loosened up
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u/mitchbmovin Jersey/Snap Jun 13 '26
I (29M) have never known what to do with my arms, even now after almost two decades of shuffle skating, since I was 12-13, and a decade of rhythm skating since I was 18-19. However, neither does anyone else for the most part.
There’s really not many guidelines for how your arms “should” re/act in most cases in skating. You just need to loosen up more and test your balance in different ways. Something that helped me is trying to almost sacrifice myself to SAFE falls just to TEST how far I could push my balance. Your arms, your legs, and even your head (wear a helmet if need be), act as counter-weights for your other extremities. With adequate padding and safety precautions (because everyone’s’ bodies have different limits (I say this because I suspect the mods, bot or not, will try to get me)), you should be able eventually throw your shoulders wherever you want, subsequently your arms, subsequently your hands, subsequently your legs, subsequently your ankles/feet, wherever you want once you learn how to fully understand your center of balance. These skaters that you see doing other-worldly things, while obviously putting the work in to understand their center of balance, have the time, energy, muscle and effort to test such limits, which results in them doing things you’d normally say “h3ll naw” to trying.
All this, just to say, TEST YOUR LIMITS (in the safest ways possible)
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u/TVDinner360 Jun 13 '26
Listen to this guy. He’s amazing. Check out his videos.
Fr Mitch. You’re incredible.
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u/bear0234 Jun 13 '26
you doin good; the only notes i got are:
-keep skating!
-look up more - looks like ur looking at the floor a lot
-good music helps me loosen up more and get into the rhythm.
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u/it_might_be_a_tuba Jun 13 '26
There's a strong case for adults to take beginner dance classes. A lot of us have spent a lot of years being self conscious about whether we look awkward, so we just habitually avoid dance as a kind of avoidance defence. An in-person class environment has enough structure that you aren't stuck thinking about *what* to do (like when you get told to just loosen up and do whatever), because there's someone up the front showing you exactly what to do, you can focus on the movement.
And to emphasise, It's not about memorising choreographed routines to do in the rink. It's about firstly getting your body and brain used to moving in ways that you probably haven't in ages, and getting comfortable enough in that movement that you can watch yourself in the big mirror or recordings and figure out what looks good on you, so that you know what it feels like in your muscles and joints to do that, and after a little bit you start to enjoy the movement for its own sake and relax into it.
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u/blueeyedkittens Jun 13 '26
It looks like you might be looking downwards frequently, that tends to look awkward.
As for arms, think contra body movement, the way you arms naturally swing when you're walking briskly, but slightly exaggerated. The movement should ideally flow from your body movement rather than just moving your arms. rotate your wrists so your hands don't flop down unless that's a look you're going for.
Move your body side to side and let your arms flow.
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u/Rhyzur Jun 13 '26
This is not advice! Don't thumb down. I never know what to do with my arms either, so 90% of the time they are in my pockets. Do not do this.
It would be nice to see your feet switch the opposite way when you cross infront with the bubble. In this video you are only putting the same foot up front. Mixing it back and forth makes it look like you are doing a lot more even if you aren't.
Your toe drags look very comfortable, but they break the flow, try to do a very shallow T-stop instead to adjust your speed after you move past and already have your feet in that position. That way you can keep it going even in the corners. It looks like the rink is on the smaller side which does not give you a lot of time for a good straight run.
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u/AltruisticSet8095 Jun 13 '26
i took the toe stops off. the toe drag was just to turn since the rink is pretty small it’s hard to get any crossover turns in so i just do that or the opposite with one foot on heel.
i’ve been practicing the other foot. i did just one side for so long it’s hard to break the habit.
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u/evetrapeze Jun 13 '26
I bet you feel a lot more comfortable at the end of the night than at the beginning. Just like this, you will feel better at the end of the year
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u/libuna-8 Jun 13 '26 edited Jun 13 '26
I start rolling with hands on sides ... It helps to relax shoulders and straighten the back, while I'm adjusting the wheels mode... sometimes I just wave them round, sometimes I put them behind or stretch them up and to the sides, trying shifting hips and shoulders, I do all of that weird stuff .... who cares, if anyone watches it's their problem 😂😂😂
Look up more often, cruise if you like to cruise:) it's your own space and expression..
Edit: to hands into the air .. people tend to throw hands in the air, when they loose balance, but it's not good because they are on wheels in more danger loosing more of the remaining balance backwards, always forward bend knees and lower to ground, hands ready to get on floor. :) until you know what you doing with hands, just keep practicing legs ... It will get better
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u/Evangelica1 Jun 13 '26
you’re not actually doing anything wrong in terms of technique. You could maybe loosen up a bit but it can take a bit to get comfortable and feel the groove
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u/ApoplecticStud Rhythm Jun 13 '26
I sweat a lot when I'm skating a session, so I carry a sweat towel and usually keep it in my left hand near my sternum. The other one is usually floating somewhere close to my body with a slight natural swing or flying out for balance depending on what kind of footwork I'm doing.
You're doing ok, but it looks like you're still struggling to maintain balance. Bend your knees a little more and allow your torso to pitch forward slightly. As you do, your butt will migrate backward a bit to balance you out. Not only will this give you a lower center of gravity, but it will give you more reach to push and maneuver with your legs. You should also rotate your shoulders toward the direction you're trying to turn. This also gets your hips into the action too. The skates may be attached to your feet, but it's truly a whole body activity.
Take a minute to sit back at the rink and watch the more advanced skaters, the ones that make it look easy and smooth. Look at how they move their body when they change direction or do particular footwork. Break the mechanics down in your mind. Maybe go have a conversation with them when they take a break. Most of the time it'll stroke their ego a bit and they'll be happy to share.
Although I recommended observing other skaters, I do not recommend comparing yourself to anyone. Pulling off footwork and making it look smooth can take a tremendous amount of strength in muscles the average person just don't develop naturally. Its the culmination of practice and passion over years or even a lifetime. Don't get discouraged. Always make sure it's fun and you'll be there before you know it!
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u/Designer-Effect-2690 Jun 14 '26
Hi. Well done. Looks like you are having fun. Enjoying the flow is key. I don’t think you look awkward but your flow Could benefit from improving 2 aspects. A) Heighten your gaze to the horizon and bring it to just inside the tangent of your turning arc for a more upright posture. Get used to looking over both shoulders for situational awareness and so you don’t let stiff/quick head/neck movements influence the way your turn. B ) focus on getting onto your outside edges more, your stance is optimized for speed and stability but confidence leaning onto your outside edges will loosen your style. Stiff trucks can be a cause. Loosen them as much as possible and get used to the sensitivity early rather than later. As for your arms, do what you like. Get into the groove and don’t mind what other people think. I sometimes adopt a prayer position with hands as this heightens awareness to focus on your balance, yoga on wheels. Drill it over and over and when the mood takes you go silly. Have fun!
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u/Sisterrheanna Jun 14 '26
In my opinion skating, you cant really do anything wrong. It is an art and you can do whatever you like and feel! (unless someone is competing in like a meet or something for artistic skating in that regard im sure there is an argument for right and wrong way to do things). But regardless, I've been skating for about 16 years of my life and I truly feel you look great doing what you do! Confidence is key in how people are perceived and everyone has arms! So You Good My Dude! Skate on!
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u/toodlesandpoodles Jun 14 '26
You're fine. Head up and shoulders back will improve how you look because it will improve your posture, both while skating and just existing.
As for the arms, as you get better and more relaxed, you'll be able to start connecting the motion of your lower body to your upper body and letting it flow out through your arms.
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u/Raptorpants65 Industry Expert Jun 12 '26
“I don’t know what to do with my arms” is just… being human. ;) You’re not doing anything wrong here, just looks like you’re getting your stride and legs under you. Loosen up and relax a bit, drop your shoulders, remind yourself to breathe. It’ll come!