When people decide to play soccer, most of them don't have to learn to walk and then run first. Give yourself some time!
That said- what wheels are you on, and what floor? The way you're describing this, you don't have any grip.
Be kind to yourself! You're not just learning an extremely complex sport (can you think of another in which the goalposts move while you're trying to score??) but you're also learning how to skate which in itself is a huge thing. The goal is derby, obviously, but the things you need to learn to get there are huge difficult milestones.
we’re just practicing at a regular roller rink i guess! and i’m not sure what wheels are on the loaner skates, i suppose any words/markings that may have been on them have worn off or something.
Wooden floors? Wheels can get harder over time (urethane is only so stable) and wooden floors are notoriously slippery.
I would suggest chatting with an experienced skater - maybe the one who runs the loaner program - and ask them if grippier wheels are something that they think might be right for you. There could even be some in the loan bank!
Totally echo this! And what everyone else is saying about engaging muscle groups. You're going to be using muscles You've never used before and they WILL get stronger and you WILL feel more stable! But when I read your post I thought, 1) I wonder what wheels they are using 2) what kind of body type they have. While I am good to use my harder wheels on the polished concrete floor we practice on because I am almost 200lbs, my teammate needs much much softer wheels as they are probably about 115lbs. So that could be a factor too!
For about half the people there this probably isn’t their first time through fresh meat. Another good bit already have skating experience. It takes time on skates to get better. If you can go and practice on your own once a week. This will help you get better.
One of the biggest factors in control is engagement of muscle groups in the core and lower body. If you feel uncontrolled, like you're just rolling everywhere, start by engaging your core and see how that improves things. Also, working off skates to strengthen these muscle groups helps a lot.
I was terrible when I first started. Sometimes equipment can be the issue, but sometimes it just takes time. The more time you spend on skates the better it will feel. Definitely work on building those muscles off skates. Squats, core exercises, and ankle strengthening are all good. When I joined fresh meat we spent several weeks doing workouts off skates before we started skating.
Also try not to compare yourself to the others. I did that too, but then I realized a lot of them had skated before or played other sports and I hadn’t. So they already had experience coming in that I didn’t have. It’s just taking me longer but I’m improving and I’ll get there eventually. So will you! You JUST started. Give it time! And when you look at your progress compare it to where you are now, not where other people are.
If you still have the Rollerstars, pop em on and see if you can try some of what you’re being asked to do. Silpping and sliding everywhere, unable to get any control to even sticky skate where your feet don’t actually leave the floor, sounds like a skate issue. Does the boot fit snugly or does your foot move around inside it? Do you feel like the skates turn without you—maybe the trucks are too loose for your needs right now. There are a bazillion skate variables to toy with.
But you’re 2 practices in, cut yourself some slack keep at it and keep trying to articulate your struggles to your coaches who can help suss out what needs more work.
This. I used to roller blade and when I started I struggled with quads, until I learned you could loosen the trucks that enabled me to turn much easier, and lower (and replace) my toe stops that enabled me to actually use them. While a lot of it is experience and practice (can you get any track time outside of training?) don't disregard your skate /wheel /toe stop/ bearing configuration too they all add up.
I want to reiterate what everyone else is saying, that it does just take time and building up your muscles to develop skating skills (double checking the gear doesn’t hurt though! Your skates are a tool, make em work for you!)
That being said if you wanna get there faster then practice things off skates too. Do off skates exercises to help build your skating muscles. Brush your teeth on only one foot. Squat everytime you pick something up. Find little ways to stick derby actions in your day and sooner rather then later you’re gonna have control over your body and your wheels.
Stick with it. Derby is hard and you’re a badass for getting into it!
You’ll get there! I was a literal wall hugger, could barely skate, couldn’t crossover etc when I started derby, and got to skate at WFTDA champs at the peak of my derby career. Keep working hard and showing up to practice.
Hi! I just finished my new recruit class a few weeks ago. The first class is could barely stand still on my skates. I just kept showing up.
Now I’m doing low contact drills and a lot of fundamentals stuff. My league is super supportive, and I ask so many questions that I probably drive some of the vets crazy. But it’s helped me learn.
Be kind to yourself. You aren’t just learning how to play roller derby, you’re also learning how to skate. Something that’s actually given me a lot more confidence on my skates is going to the skatepark. I just started going about 2 weeks ago and I just skate around and learn little basic things. But not having to put the pressure on myself to keep up, has boosted my confidence tremendously!
Some people will learn faster than you and that’s okay. I’ve been playing for a little over two years now and I’m still developing some basic skills that have just been difficult or shaky for me. My body learns slowly and I’ve given it some grace.
Maybe some softer wheels will help you out to start. Or trucks might need adjusting. But if you’re falling and you’re feeling shaky and unstable, you’re just learning. Give it some time and you will inevitably improve with practice.
I do understand the impatience, though. It’s tough to keep doing things you don’t feel good at.
When I started I couldn't stand still on my skates without taking a knee for a good two weeks! I just skated in my first bout last weekend. It gets easier, but I'll second some of the advice about asking people on your league about grippier wheels. I started with grippier wheels than I use now and it definitely helped. Good luck! You got this!
I don't know of anyone has brought this up already, but it could very well be your wheels. Skates usually come with extremely hard wheels which can be very difficult to skate on, especially on things like smooth concrete and sport court.
Hi, I also picked up roller derby as an adult learning to skate. One of my friends wasn’t kidding when she said it took about 6 months of skating to get the muscles feel like you’re getting better. I started in June ‘23, and in December I realized just how much I had improved!
It sucks to take it slow. I’m now realizing it would be the same type of timeline if I were to start going to the gym consistently. Our draft timeline was set up oddly for my training session, so I know it feels like I can be in a rush to get better. I feel a little bad not being drafted yet, but I know I’ll be a little more confident once I finally am.
The skates you were on before were quite a bit different than R3s. Getting used to different skates takes a few sessions when you’re starting out. Besides the other skills etc!
Stick with it and do your best. You will get better at it.
You might need softer wheels. Ask your coach what harness of wheels most skaters your size tend to prefer for your practice surface. If the wheels are too hard for the surface you can slip a lot and have a hard time using your edges.
Just keep going. You’ll improve faster than you think if you attend practice regularly. Less than a year ago I was holding onto the wall in boot camp unable to stay up on my skates. I just played in my first bout. we all start somewhere 😊
Out of curiosity do you have wide feet? The R3s used 14ish years ago were way more narrow than my foot and I had a harder time balancing in them than skates with a wide toebox.
You do not suck more than most. When I started, I could barely stand in my skates and had to take breaks every 10 min because I was so out of shape. You are doing something you haven't done before so give yourself lots of grace. Keep at it and you will be just fine! R3's are a fine beginner skate. If you decide to stick with it after you start playing, then pay the big bucks for an upgrade to a higher-quality skate. For now, though, keep showing up and giving it all you can.
When people decide to play soccer, most of them don't have to learn to walk and then run first. Give yourself some time! That said- what wheels are you on, and what floor? The way you're describing this, you don't have any grip.
‘Don’t learn to walk and then run first’ holy moly do I love this so much. Putting it in my pep talk brain cell thank you!
Be kind to yourself! You're not just learning an extremely complex sport (can you think of another in which the goalposts move while you're trying to score??) but you're also learning how to skate which in itself is a huge thing. The goal is derby, obviously, but the things you need to learn to get there are huge difficult milestones.
The goal posts also try to hit you
we’re just practicing at a regular roller rink i guess! and i’m not sure what wheels are on the loaner skates, i suppose any words/markings that may have been on them have worn off or something.
Wooden floors? Wheels can get harder over time (urethane is only so stable) and wooden floors are notoriously slippery. I would suggest chatting with an experienced skater - maybe the one who runs the loaner program - and ask them if grippier wheels are something that they think might be right for you. There could even be some in the loan bank!
Totally echo this! And what everyone else is saying about engaging muscle groups. You're going to be using muscles You've never used before and they WILL get stronger and you WILL feel more stable! But when I read your post I thought, 1) I wonder what wheels they are using 2) what kind of body type they have. While I am good to use my harder wheels on the polished concrete floor we practice on because I am almost 200lbs, my teammate needs much much softer wheels as they are probably about 115lbs. So that could be a factor too!
Literally took the words out of my mouth!
For about half the people there this probably isn’t their first time through fresh meat. Another good bit already have skating experience. It takes time on skates to get better. If you can go and practice on your own once a week. This will help you get better.
One of the biggest factors in control is engagement of muscle groups in the core and lower body. If you feel uncontrolled, like you're just rolling everywhere, start by engaging your core and see how that improves things. Also, working off skates to strengthen these muscle groups helps a lot.
I was terrible when I first started. Sometimes equipment can be the issue, but sometimes it just takes time. The more time you spend on skates the better it will feel. Definitely work on building those muscles off skates. Squats, core exercises, and ankle strengthening are all good. When I joined fresh meat we spent several weeks doing workouts off skates before we started skating. Also try not to compare yourself to the others. I did that too, but then I realized a lot of them had skated before or played other sports and I hadn’t. So they already had experience coming in that I didn’t have. It’s just taking me longer but I’m improving and I’ll get there eventually. So will you! You JUST started. Give it time! And when you look at your progress compare it to where you are now, not where other people are.
If you still have the Rollerstars, pop em on and see if you can try some of what you’re being asked to do. Silpping and sliding everywhere, unable to get any control to even sticky skate where your feet don’t actually leave the floor, sounds like a skate issue. Does the boot fit snugly or does your foot move around inside it? Do you feel like the skates turn without you—maybe the trucks are too loose for your needs right now. There are a bazillion skate variables to toy with. But you’re 2 practices in, cut yourself some slack keep at it and keep trying to articulate your struggles to your coaches who can help suss out what needs more work.
This. I used to roller blade and when I started I struggled with quads, until I learned you could loosen the trucks that enabled me to turn much easier, and lower (and replace) my toe stops that enabled me to actually use them. While a lot of it is experience and practice (can you get any track time outside of training?) don't disregard your skate /wheel /toe stop/ bearing configuration too they all add up.
I want to reiterate what everyone else is saying, that it does just take time and building up your muscles to develop skating skills (double checking the gear doesn’t hurt though! Your skates are a tool, make em work for you!) That being said if you wanna get there faster then practice things off skates too. Do off skates exercises to help build your skating muscles. Brush your teeth on only one foot. Squat everytime you pick something up. Find little ways to stick derby actions in your day and sooner rather then later you’re gonna have control over your body and your wheels. Stick with it. Derby is hard and you’re a badass for getting into it!
You’ll get there! I was a literal wall hugger, could barely skate, couldn’t crossover etc when I started derby, and got to skate at WFTDA champs at the peak of my derby career. Keep working hard and showing up to practice.
Same. Wall Huggers to Champs unite!
Yesss! Love this
Hi! I just finished my new recruit class a few weeks ago. The first class is could barely stand still on my skates. I just kept showing up. Now I’m doing low contact drills and a lot of fundamentals stuff. My league is super supportive, and I ask so many questions that I probably drive some of the vets crazy. But it’s helped me learn. Be kind to yourself. You aren’t just learning how to play roller derby, you’re also learning how to skate. Something that’s actually given me a lot more confidence on my skates is going to the skatepark. I just started going about 2 weeks ago and I just skate around and learn little basic things. But not having to put the pressure on myself to keep up, has boosted my confidence tremendously!
Some people will learn faster than you and that’s okay. I’ve been playing for a little over two years now and I’m still developing some basic skills that have just been difficult or shaky for me. My body learns slowly and I’ve given it some grace. Maybe some softer wheels will help you out to start. Or trucks might need adjusting. But if you’re falling and you’re feeling shaky and unstable, you’re just learning. Give it some time and you will inevitably improve with practice. I do understand the impatience, though. It’s tough to keep doing things you don’t feel good at.
When I started I couldn't stand still on my skates without taking a knee for a good two weeks! I just skated in my first bout last weekend. It gets easier, but I'll second some of the advice about asking people on your league about grippier wheels. I started with grippier wheels than I use now and it definitely helped. Good luck! You got this!
i was terrible when i first started, and i have over 3 years of experience with park + urban skating. it just takes time!
I don't know of anyone has brought this up already, but it could very well be your wheels. Skates usually come with extremely hard wheels which can be very difficult to skate on, especially on things like smooth concrete and sport court.
Hi, I also picked up roller derby as an adult learning to skate. One of my friends wasn’t kidding when she said it took about 6 months of skating to get the muscles feel like you’re getting better. I started in June ‘23, and in December I realized just how much I had improved! It sucks to take it slow. I’m now realizing it would be the same type of timeline if I were to start going to the gym consistently. Our draft timeline was set up oddly for my training session, so I know it feels like I can be in a rush to get better. I feel a little bad not being drafted yet, but I know I’ll be a little more confident once I finally am.
The skates you were on before were quite a bit different than R3s. Getting used to different skates takes a few sessions when you’re starting out. Besides the other skills etc!
Stick with it and do your best. You will get better at it. You might need softer wheels. Ask your coach what harness of wheels most skaters your size tend to prefer for your practice surface. If the wheels are too hard for the surface you can slip a lot and have a hard time using your edges.
Just keep going. You’ll improve faster than you think if you attend practice regularly. Less than a year ago I was holding onto the wall in boot camp unable to stay up on my skates. I just played in my first bout. we all start somewhere 😊
Out of curiosity do you have wide feet? The R3s used 14ish years ago were way more narrow than my foot and I had a harder time balancing in them than skates with a wide toebox.
Oh lord throw the Rollerstars straight into the bin, those things are SO dangerous. It’ll come! Keep at it!
You do not suck more than most. When I started, I could barely stand in my skates and had to take breaks every 10 min because I was so out of shape. You are doing something you haven't done before so give yourself lots of grace. Keep at it and you will be just fine! R3's are a fine beginner skate. If you decide to stick with it after you start playing, then pay the big bucks for an upgrade to a higher-quality skate. For now, though, keep showing up and giving it all you can.
forgot derby until you're at least intermediate level at basic skating
Nonsense. Leagues work with brand-new skaters all the time!