Backwards skating

People who learn to skate from roller derby boot camps / fresh meat intakes don't do a lot of backwards skating. They're too busy comparing knee socks and knocking each other over, and I respect that.  However backwards skating is THE BEST. It's almost like roller skates were designed to go backwards, why else would they put the stopper on the front?

Really though, everyone should be comfortable skating backwards backwards, you never know when you might need it, and if you don't want to look 'fresh meat' while you're doing it you need to follow these basic rules.

1. Don't lean forwards.

When you learn to skate forwards you learn that leaning forwards slightly is good for your balance. It counters the 'falling backwards doing windmills with your arms' feeling that you're always going to experience while your bottom half is travelling faster than your top half. Here's the obvious point that people don't get at first: backwards skating is the opposite to forwards skating. Now your feet are pushing backwards and your top half is getting dragged along, so you're falling forwards (or make that FACE-wards) naturally.  Leaning forwards even more is counter productive, until you get your balance.  The next time you're skating backwards keep your knees bent but try to shift your weight ever so slightly backwards towards your back wheels.  Just move it a little bit at a time and I guarantee you'll feel more comfortable, which will mean more confidence.


2. Don't distribute your weight evenly between your feet

This is key.  When you skate forwards you move your weight for one leg to the other, and back again. It keeps you mobile, let's you move your hips and lift up your feet.  When people start skating backwards they plant both feet on the floor and it all goes to hell. Don't do this! Skating backwards and skating forwards share the same basic principles, keep moving your weight from left to right, even if you're keeping both skates on the floor. If you're leaning forwards with your centre of gravity right between your feet you're not going to be able to skate fluidly, forwards OR backwards. Think about it!

3. Look over your shoulder

Get used to it because if you're ever not doing it, that will be the exact moment someone skates out in front of you. Yes, it hurts your neck at first, but you do get used to it. Once you get your balance weight distributed properly weaving in and out of people is a piece of cake.

4. Backwards crossovers

There's a million ways to do this but the main point is that if you're going anti clockwise, as normal, and backwards, then your right (inside) foot needs to be further back, and the left foot out in front. Your weight needs to shift to the right foot as its pushing behind the left foot towards the outside of the rink/track. As it passes behind you, shift your weight to your left foot and pull your right foot back in.

That's all there is to it really, just be aware of where your weight is positioned and stay fluid.