Learning how to roller skate is not just a childhood milestone (or adulthood if you missed out earlier—no shame in this game!), it’s also a great way to add some fun, healthy physical activity to your routine. Of course, once you have the basics down and are confident on skates, you might want to expand your skating skills a bit more. There are some easy tricks you can learn to start, like skating backward, gliding on one foot, and spinning. Today, we’re going to share some tips and tricks to help you learn how to spin on roller skates. Before long, you’ll be spinning like a top and impressing your friends at the skating rink!  

How to Spin on Skates

Spinning on skates is easier than it looks, so don’t be intimidated! While you might not have the grace of a figure skater or the agility of a roller derby player, you can still learn how to do a roller skating spin with some patience and practice. 

Before you start, consider gearing up with elbow and knee pads, wrist braces, and a helmet. Knowing you’re protected if you fall can help you relax and feel more comfortable on skates. Falling is practically inevitable when learning a new skating trick (just ask those aforementioned figure skaters and derby players). And hey, if you do fall, you’ll be able to pop back up and try, try again!

Step 1: Give yourself some space.

Spinning on roller skates is a great trick to learn because it doesn’t take as much room to practice as some other tricks. However, it’s still important to be aware of your surroundings and make sure you’re not going to collide with other skaters, especially if the rink is busy. 

Step 2: Get in position. 

Posture is very important when it comes to learning any roller skating trick. To get in position for a spin, you should be balanced on your skates, knees slightly bent, feet shoulder-width apart, and hips square. 

Step 3: Start the spin.

Start skating with your arms straight out to your sides, like you’re making a “T” shape. Rotate your arms to the same side while lowering them alongside your body. The movement of your arms provides rotational momentum to get you into the spin. 

Step 4: Keep it going.

As the motion of your arms pulls you into the spin, move the skate on that side backward while moving the other forward. So if you pulled your arms to the left, your left skate should move back and your right skate should move forward. As your momentum grows, move your skates closer together and elongate your body upward. 

Once you’ve got a two-foot spin down pat, challenge yourself to mastering a one-foot spin! Practice makes perfect, so join us at an upcoming public skate session here at Skate Moore.