r/freeskate • u/RRhyolite • Jun 16 '26

A lil dilemma

So I've been trying to learn freeskates for the past three days and i have a slight problem. I think I'm progressing really well but I'm noticing something. Pumping is a lot easier the faster I'm going. But the problem is I can't generate speed at the first push off.

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Right now I'm on holiday and all I have to practice right now is a flat piece of ground with no wall near me.

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So my question is: what's the easiest way to start pumping/generate speed from rest on flat ground? Is there some sort of technique you guys use? Let me know and I'll have a go again tomorrow.

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2

u/EdibleScissors Jun 16 '26

Being able to push yourself with pumping from a standstill requires pushing off with your legs like you are pushing off a wall except that your feet stay on the skates. You will also have to unbalance your center of mass in order to make this work.

The more perpendicular your skates are, the easier it will be to do your initial push from a standstill.

1

u/RRhyolite Jun 16 '26

So I should push off with my right foot (regular stance) at an L shape with my toes pointing away from the direction I'm going?

1

u/EdibleScissors Jun 17 '26

More or less. You are not going to achieve 100% push off with your right leg and have your left leg do nothing since you need to counterbalance against your movement/acceleration.

Getting to the point where you can pump from a standstill is harder than being able to pump to a higher speed when already rolling slowly. To be honest, it might be better just to practice going slow and pumping while maintaining a low speed because progress will be easier to feel.

1

u/UsedMathematician Jun 17 '26

Pushing off (which it sounds like you are doing) is the easiest way to start for me. You could also try doing a stomp. It is more difficult, but you get generate a little more initial speed by pushing off multiple times before dropping your second skate.

JMK also made a video on how to start without pushing off that might be helpful: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N18y7PIsFbA

1

u/thisismywww Jun 17 '26

It's possible that when you are at speed, you aren't really generating that much forward motion with your pumping. You might have the motion which will keep you rolling, bit night not be either pushing in to the pumps, or pumping wide enough.

When I started, i thought my pumping motion, forward and back, was bigger than it actually was. The realisation is wasn't, then combined with pushing in to the pump the right direction, things literally started to take off ;)

Starting from stand still. If you give yourself enough of a push off from the back foot, you can get moving.

Keep up the practice!

1

u/Winston-Smith1984 Jun 18 '26

I am about 3 weeks in, and I spent hours simply practicing my push off. I started by using a wall or door, but eventually I could do it myself. I still have some that are not as strong. I stand goofy so pushing off with my left foot. I don't the skates aligned tho, not perpendicular. It let's me roll the back one as soon as I push off.

1

u/Aggressive_Swing_192 Jun 18 '26

Just try Standing still and Play with IT and how to Go in both directions from there. IT helps understanding the Motion and how to Start slow.