Many of us older skaters started skating as kids way back in the 90' and 80's and even some of us way back in the 70's! That's when we first got our first taste of the roller skating bug! But as you know, life gets serious and we usually have to take on more serious responsibilities and tasks as we move into adulthood.
However, for many of us, roller skating has been re-ignited with a force. You may only just be returning to roller skating later in life, or maybe for you it's your first time. But as we know, as adults, our minds can be filled with endless thoughts of 'what ifs...?' Fear can quickly become a major roadblock to our roller skating skill gains, enjoyment, or even the decision to get started! That's where we differ from the kids. They seem far better equipped to bounce back quickly from falls, whereas we adults have a deeper awareness of injury risks and their impact on our capacity to work, or do this or that! So often, our past experiences make us even more hesitant. But fear doesn’t have to hold you back! With the right mindset and physical approach, you can begin to skate with confidence and enjoy the freedom that the various styles of roller skating offer [not to mention the beautiful environments and people that skating so often connects us with].
Let's start by breaking down why fear happens, key mental strategies to overcome it, and physical steps to build confidence safely.
Our Fear Of Falling On Roller Skates
What’s Behind It?
Fear of falling, injury, or embarrassment is completely natural. It often stems from:
Past injuries or bad experiences – Maybe you fell once and it stuck in your mind [be it on your skates, your bike or any other scenario].
Increased body awareness – Adults know that injuries take longer to heal. This for us Gen Z's, Gen X's and Boomers is a real point of rumination!
Self-consciousness – Worrying about how we look to others. There are currently a lot of youngens jumping on the Skate wave, this can be intimidating for some - especially when you haven't found your tribe yet!
Loss of agility & balance – If you haven't skated in years, your body may not respond the way you remember. Things don't always work out in reality in the way that we see them in our minds [until we get the right insight].
Recognising these fears is the first step. Now, let’s tackle them head-on - one step at a time.
Have you taken the Beginners Roller Skating Assessment Quiz? Quantify your skill and your fear level, and get a personalised report today!
Overcome Your Fear Of Falling On roller skates - Step 1:
Adopt a Growth Mindset
Your mindset plays a huge role in how you approach skating [or anything else in life for that matter]. Instead of thinking, "I'm not as agile and flexible as I used to be", move your thinking towards:
✅ "Every session or lesson builds my confidence - it a just a process like any other."
✅ "Falling is a normal part of learning, and I can minimise the risks by kitting myself up with knee, elbow and butt pads, wrist guards and a cute helmet to match!"
✅ "Progress is personal; I don't need to compare myself to others. I'll just focus on the next thing and drill it till I have it nailed."
Tip: Keep a skating journal where you log small wins—every skill learned, every session completed. Over time, this builds evidence that you are improving. When you look back, You'll remember all of the little things you learned while rendering just how far you've come.
Overcome Your Fear Of Falling On roller skates - Step 2:
Build a Solid Physical Foundation
🔹 Wear Proper Protective Gear – Helmets, wrist guards, knee pads, elbow pads and even butt pads go a very long way towards reducing your risk of injury and discomfort. The reduction in your fear of falling will almost certainly boost confidence [which will show in your ability to take on new and increasingly challenging skills].
🔹 Strengthen Your Core & Legs – Strong muscles improve balance and will also reduce the likelihood of you falling. Simple exercises like squats, lunges, and balance drills can help a lot [particularly if you're someone who doesn't have a reasonably solid exercise history].
🔹 Work on Balance & Posture – Use off-skate exercises (like standing on one leg or using a balance board) to retrain your body's stabilising muscles. Balance balls, cycling and skipping are good for this too].
🔹 Practise Controlled Falls – Learning how to fall safely (landing on pads, rolling out of a fall) removes some of the fear. It gets you into the mode of things!
🔹 Warm Up & Ease Into It – Skating stiff increases the risk of falls. Start each session with gentle movements, stretching, and slow skating. Muscles that are reasonably flexible act as shock absorbers, they're also better at withstanding strain.
Overcome Your Fear Of Falling On roller skates - Step 3:
Face Fear in Small Steps
Instead of forcing yourself to skate at full speed right away, gradually expose yourself to challenges.
✅ Start in a safe space or purpose-built environment – Use a smooth, open area with no obstacles. Practising on a flat surface is also a good idea for your early developmental stage.
✅ Skate close to a wall or rail – Having something nearby reduces anxiety. It will give you the confidence to go further.
✅ Use beginner-friendly techniques – Start with a basic stance (knees bent, weight slightly forward) and work on stopping techniques first. Once you get to grips with basic stops [like using your toe stop and T-stops] You'll feel much more in control.
✅ Practise falling on purpose – Knowing how to fall reduces the fear of the unknown. In our skating classes, we do this on day one. It does help to take out some of the fear and anxiety. First, adopt a squatting position before slowly falling forward or sideways with your arms outstretched. Do this a few times [until you feel it's becoming too easy].
✅ Celebrate every small victory – Every extra second of balance, every controlled turn, every smooth stop is a win! It's so typical for us as skaters to through all our focus into what we haven't learned. Developing a habit of appreciation for what you have learned will help you get the most out of your roller skating experience.
Overcome Your Fear Of Falling On roller skates - Step 4:
Shift Focus from Fear to The Upmost Fun
🔹 Play Music You Love – This most certainly helps me to relax, forget about rising gas prices and max out on those good vibes. Oh, and it'll also help you develop a nice rhythm and flow. You'll be surprised how many spontaneous skate moves will arise from this colourful flow.
🔹 Skate with Friends or within a Class – Supportive groups make learning more enjoyable. We have the most fun that we possibly can in our roller skating classes. It's half the reason I teach!
🔹 Watch Inspiring Skaters – Seeing others progress reminds you of what's possible. Everyone started at the beginning, but those who controlled show up for themselves will make the gains. Many great skaters profess to be slow starting. Just keep going, and who knows what might unfold for you.
🔹 Remember Your "Why" – Whether it’s for fitness, fun, self-expression, finding new friendships or stress relief -- your reason for skating will help keep your motivation high. This will ultimately become the fuel that drives your progress.
Final Thoughts On Overcoming Your Fear Of Falling on Roller Skates:
Fear is Something You Can Grow Through!
Fear is just a starting point [that most of us have to face up to]. Learning to find the means to move beyond it [for the most part] means that you’re pushing past your comfort zone. This is where personal growth, skill development and confidence arise. So, instead of seeing it as a barrier, treat it as part of the journey. It's the small, consistent efforts that lead to big improvements. The key is to focus on small amounts of progress over perfection—that way, You'll soon be able to look back with pride as you start to see your skill gains. Once you find your stride, you will see how much skating can become a valuable source of mental relaxation - a moving meditation even!
Ready to take the next step? There's only one thing left to do. Put on your skates [and protective gear], take a deep breath, and remind yourself: You’ve got this!
Kelly
Cranial Osteopath | Wellbeing Coach | Roller Skate Instructor
Did any of the fears shared in this post resonate with you? How did you navigate your way through [or are you still procrastinating over whether to start? I’d love for you to share your experiences in the comments below.
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