Jumps are super important when it comes to becoming a better skater. If you can jump properly and safely, that additional ability becomes an integral part of your evolving skill set. In this post, Peter, one of our team members, will handhold you through jumping on inline skates.
You’ll learn the techniques required to master everything from small jumps over cracks to really big jumps over tall obstacles.
Who’s Peter, the Author of this Post?
Since 2018, Peter’s been with skating magic, mostly checking the content before we publish it. He’s been learning how to inline skate over the past few months. He doesn’t know everything, but whenever he’s not sure, he consults Bujie, a speed and downhill inline skater who’s been skating for more than a decade. Watch Peter and Bujie in our jumping on skates video tutorial below. Here’s a link to Peter’s Tiktok account. You’ll see he’s a real skater there.
Related: How to go faster on inline skates
Jumping on Rollerblades Video Tutorial by Skatingmagic.com
Would you rather watch our video on how to jump on rollerblades? Below is a video that our team members, Peter and Bujie, recently did for our fans. And I have a small favor to ask. Please subscribe to our Youtube channel so we can reach and help more skaters. Here’s skating magic’s youtube channel.
You can also follow skatingmagic.com on:
Why are Jumps Important to Inline Skaters?
Jumps are endless fun unless your knees and ankles are weak. But that’s not all. Jumps add pizzazz and energy to each skating session. Soon, you’ll be flying over speed bumps on the road, railway crossings, massive potholes, puddles, cracks, and even manholes out on the streets. In fact, the ability to jump on rollerblades can help your skate way faster.
Related: Inline Skating Tutorial
Wear Protective Gear
Wear protective gear as you learn how to jump on rollerblades. Wear a good helmet, elbow pads, knee pads, and wrist guards. I also suggest getting a qualified inline skating instructor in your area to guide you through this process.
A helmet isn’t 100% insurance against concussions according to the CDC. However, it can protect you from severe head or brain injury according to the same authority.
As for knee pads, elbow pads, and wrist guards, they definitely help. But this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be as careful when skating.
Related: Best Roller Skate Knee Pads
Beginners Should Start With Small Jumps
As a beginner to inline skating, you want to start with small jumps. Once you’re comfortable doing small, safe jumps, you can then start practicing bigger ones.
To master jumps on rollerblades, you need to internalize the simple process involved. This process transitions your motion from rolling to being aerial and finally landing safely on the ground.
How to Do Your First Small Jump on Inline Skates
1.Start skating forwards and keep going until you come to an obstacle you wish to fly over such as a crack. I suggest that you stay away from bigger obstacles such as bumps and puddles at this point in your inline skating career.
Use the front wheels as a launch pad pretty much the same way a figure skater uses the toe pick when jumping on ice skates.
The front wheels are the last to leave the ground and the first to touch the ground when landing.
2.As you land, sink low. Make your knees behave as though they’re a set of springs. You do this to absorb the impact from the jump while also lowering your center of gravity for safety.
What Not to Do When Jumping on Rollerblades
1.Don’t swing your arms in a circular motion as you go up in the air.
It’s natural to move your arms up from the front and swing them well past the shoulders. But if you swing your arms upwards, you’ll destabilize the landing and you’ll almost always crash. So, keep your arms in front of you at all times.
2.Don’t hit the ground on your back wheels.
As a complete beginner, this is how I used to land. But I didn’t do this for long because I kept falling over and kissing real hard asphalt haha. Which hurts like hell, especially in the mornings.
I often ended up landing on my bum, which isn’t exactly nice when you’re not wearing proper backside protection shorts.
Having no knee pads and wrist guards on made things even worse for me. Please don’t criticize me; I ordered protective pads from Amazon, but I’m light years away, which is why my orders take forever before reaching me.
How to Do Really Big Jumps on Inline Skates
Start rolling towards the obstacle at speed. If you’re not traveling fast enough you won’t be able to generate enough momentum to go over the tall obstacle.
Here’s a trick to help you jump higher: As you go up, push both legs to one side, to the left or to the right. Watch the picture above and see what Bujie did with his legs when he went up.
Practice, Practice, Practice
Consistent practice is the only way to land small and big jumps on rollerblades safely every time. If you don’t give up and keep practicing, you’ll soon start doing really big jumps successfully, making strangers and everyone else think you have superhuman powers.
Jumping on Inline Skates Tips for Beginners
1.Find a flat smooth surface without pebbles and cracks.
2.Always start with small jumps and graduate to bigger ones as your skills evolve and improve.
3. Never swing your arms upwards to make a circular motion as this usually leads to a crash.
4. Don’t try to keep up with expert skaters. It’s best to learn at your pace and stay consistent.
5. Never land on your rear wheel as this is the surest path to a fall.
6. When doing really big jumps, sweep your feet to the side to leave enough clearance between you and the tall obstacle.
Jumping on Rollerblades: Final Thought
Jumps can help you get more out of every session. You get to go faster while avoiding crashes by tackling cracks., twigs, potholes, rocky patches on the road, speed bumps, railway crossings, and puddles.
To jump safely, make sure to keep your arms stretched out to the front rather than swinging them upwards in a circular motion. Always land with the front wheel and never the rear wheel. And when landing, bend the knees and sink in to soak up the shock from the jump.
Finally, be sure to wear a helmet, knee pads, and wrist guards for protection as you learn.
