How to Stop on Skates: 5 Methods Kids Can Learn

Stopping is the skill that worries parents most, and with good reason. A child who can stop can control their speed, avoid other children and skate with confidence. So teach stopping early, before your child picks up speed.

There are several ways to stop. Some are easy and some take practice. Here are five, starting with the easiest.

The five stops at a glance

Stop	Difficulty	Quad skates	Inline skates	Best for
Toe stop	Easy	Yes, if the skate has a toe brake	No	First-week beginners
Plough stop	Easy	Yes	Yes	Slow to medium speed
Grass stop	Easy	Yes	Yes	Emergencies
T-stop	Medium	Sometimes	Yes	Medium speed
Spin stop	Hard	Yes	Yes	Confident skaters

1. The toe stop

Some quad skates have a brake under the toe. If your child's skates have one, this is the easiest stop to learn. If not, skip ahead to the plough stop.

1. Glide slowly with both knees bent.
2. Slide one foot back a little behind the other.
3. Lift the heel of the back foot so the toe brake touches the ground.
4. Press down gently. The skate slows, and your child comes to a stop.

The key is to press gradually. Stamping down hard can tip a child forward.

2. The plough stop

The plough stop, also called the pizza stop, works on any skates. It is the first stop to teach on skates without a toe brake.

1. Glide slowly with the feet about shoulder-width apart.
2. Bend the knees a little more.
3. Push both heels outwards so the toes point in, making a V shape like a slice of pizza.
4. Hold the V. The wheels scrub sideways and slow the skates down.

Tell your child to keep the toes from touching. If they cross, the skates catch and your child may trip.

3. The grass stop

Sometimes a child picks up more speed than they can handle. The grass stop is an emergency exit. Your child steers onto grass or soft ground, lifts the feet slightly and runs a few steps on the wheels until they stop.

Show this early and practise it at a slow speed. Knowing there is a way out makes children much calmer.

4. The T-stop

The T-stop is common on inline skates. One skate drags behind the other at a right angle, forming a T.

1. Glide forward with your weight on the front foot.
2. Lift the back skate and place it behind the front one, at a right angle.
3. Lower it so the wheels drag lightly along the ground.
4. Press a little harder to slow down more.

It takes balance on one foot, so wait until your child glides confidently first.

5. The spin stop

Confident skaters can stop by turning in a tight circle until they lose speed. It looks impressive but needs good balance. Leave it until stopping in a straight line is easy.

How to practise stopping

• Use a line. Draw a chalk line and ask your child to stop on it.
• Start slow. Practise from a walking-pace glide before adding speed.
• Repeat both sides. For the toe stop and T-stop, practise with each foot.
• Turn it into a game. Red light, green light is a stopping drill in disguise. Our skating games and drills have more ideas.

Also, teach your child how to fall safely before they practise stopping at speed. Our guide on how to fall safely on skates explains how.

Frequently asked questions

What is the easiest way to stop on skates?

The easiest way to stop on skates is the toe stop, on skates that have a toe brake. On skates without one, the plough stop is the easiest.

How do you stop on quad skates without a toe brake?

You stop on quad skates without a toe brake by using the plough stop: push both heels out, point the toes in and let the wheels scrub sideways.

How do you stop on inline skates?

You stop on inline skates with the plough stop at low speed, or the T-stop once your child balances well on one foot. Steering onto grass works in an emergency.

Should my child learn to stop before learning to glide fast?

Your child should learn to stop before learning to glide fast. Control comes first, so stopping should be practised in the first week.

Why does my child fall forward when stopping?

Your child falls forward when stopping because they press the brake too hard or straighten their legs. Remind them to bend the knees and press gradually.

How long does it take to learn to stop on skates?

It takes most children a few sessions to learn a basic stop, such as the toe stop or plough stop. The T-stop usually takes a few weeks.

Is it okay to stop by grabbing a wall or fence?

Grabbing a wall or fence is fine for the very first sessions, but it is not a reliable way to stop. Teach a proper stop as soon as your child can glide.

Does my child need skates with brakes?

Your child does not need skates with brakes to learn to stop. The plough stop and the T-stop work on any skates, and this guide covers both.

Looking for steady skates for a beginner? Our quad skates start at EU 26.