Falling Down is Part of Life

As adults, we face many obstacles in our day-to-day lives. Setbacks are a common occurrence, but we always get back up and try again. There is an old adage that says, “life is not about how many times you fall down, it’s about how many times you get back up.” With that being said, it’s important for our children to learn that falling down is okay as long as we learn to get back up.

In roller skating, we teach our skaters to fall down and get back up. In this article, I will explain the proper way to get back up when you or child fall while roller skating in order to avoid injuries and get back up easier.

Step 1. If possible, try to fall to your rear end. If you fall down, roll over to your hands and knees. Make sure to keep your hands directly underneath you so an oncoming skater does not roll over your fingers.

Step 2. Bring one knee up and shift your weight over that knee with both hands on your knee. Make sure to keep your head up and your back arched.

Step 3. Push straight off that knee exploding off the foot of the bent knee, using your other foot to assist. As you rise, keep arching and bring both feet together underneath you.

Tip: If you feel yourself falling, bend your knees. Many times we can catch our balance by bending our knees because it provides more stability. Also, if you still end up falling, bending your knees ensures that you are that much closer to the ground so you don’t have as far to fall.

Though these may seem like simple instructions, it is a lesson that will carry on in your child’s life. Also, if you decide to strap on a pair of skates and get out there with your kids, now you know how to properly fall, too.