How to Learn Ice Skating by Yourself

Co-authored by Zheni Stavre, MD

Last Updated: November 3, 2024 Approved

You don't have to wait for the right partner to practice skating. Hit the ice rink on your own and practice basic techniques, like gliding or stopping. As you improve, you'll be able to go faster and feel more confident in your abilities. Remember to practice stopping and falling beforehand so that, if accidents happen, you can stay safe.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Choosing Gear and Warming Up

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1
Wear comfortable, lightweight clothes. When you're ice skating, you'll need full mobility of your body to move quickly and safely. Avoid heavy winter coats. Instead, wear a light jacket, fleece sweater, or sweatshirt. Dress in layers so you can take off a sweater if you get too hot while skating. ^{[1]
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- If you wear a scarf, tuck it inside your sweater or jacket to keep it out of your way.
2
Put on microfiber socks or tights. Buy specialized skating tights or a pair of microfiber socks. Without socks, your feet are at-risk for blistering or (if you borrow skates from the rink) developing an infection. Avoid bulky socks, which can make your skates less secure. ^{[2]
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- Microfiber socks are preferred because they absorb moisture and keep feet warm, as opposed to cotton or wool socks.
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3
Purchase a high quality pair in good condition to avoid injury. Cheap pairs may brake easily and leave you vulnerable to ankle sprains. Research ice skate brands online, and choose one with positive reviews. If you buy a used pair, ask the original owner why they're selling them.
- Try on the shoes before you buy them.
- Buy your shoes at an athletic specialty store so employees can help you find the right fit.
4
Warm up before you hit the ice. Doing a few warm-ups beforehand will help prevent soreness or cramping after you're done, as ice skating can be a workout. First, stretch your legs over the rink barriers. Then, stretch your upper body with by raising your arms out to your sides and rotating them in small circles. After five to ten minutes of warming up, you're ready to skate. ^{[3]
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- Complete your warm ups before you put on your skates.
5
Tighten your skates securely. Ice skates that are too loose put you at-risk for falling or rolling an ankle. Whether your skates have straps or laces (or both), make sure they're tight. It's most important to keep your skates tight around the area where your foot and ankle bends, so pay special attention to that area. ^{[4]
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- Ask a skating rink employee for help tightening your skates if you're unsure how.
Don't feel bad if, at first, you hold tightly to the rail as you skate. Rails are built into skating rinks to keep new and seasoned skaters upright. The rail can help you get used to the slippery surface until you feel more comfortable.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Practicing Basic Techniques

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This will help you maintain your center of gravity. Pretend like you are hovering over a chair and lower your bottom into a semi-sitting position. Lean forward to keep your center of gravity even, and hold your arms out at a 45 degree angle if you feel wobbly. ^{[5]
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When you're ready, try lifting your hand away from the rail. Bend your knees and lean forward as you do so to minimize the chance of falling. Stay within an arm's length of the rail at first so, if necessary, you can return your grip on the rail. ^{[6]
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3
Start skating forward by gliding. Gliding is a simple method of moving forward, and it can be done slowly or quickly. Keeping your arms out, take small steps with your skates. Take slow steps at first, but step more quickly as you gain momentum. Pick up one foot and then the other while skating until your feet move forward with little effort.
- Grab the rail if you begin to lose your balance.
4
Skate faster by bending your knees further. Add some speed by bending your knees deeply until in a full sitting position. Increase the power you put into your glide with more forceful steps. Lean forward as you skate faster so that if you fall, you're less likely to hit your head. ^{[7]
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- Take your time. You don't have to skate as fast as a figure skater during your first day on the ice.
Put your dominant foot forward and lean your body towards the center of the ice rink. Bend your knees to retain momentum as you turn. Hold this position until you have completed the turn, then switch back to gliding once you're skating in a straight line again. ^{[8]
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6
Stop using the flat part of your blades. Push the flat part of your blades against the ice until you can feel it scraping. Put one foot out and, bending your knees, add pressure to the flat part again. This will bring you to a gradual stop. ^{[9]
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- This is a basic stopping technique called the "snowplow stop," and it is ideal for beginning skaters. As you continue skating, you can try more complex techniques.
- Practice stopping safely so you know what to do in an emergency.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Learning Safety Precautions

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1
Wear a helmet and wristguards. Ice skating presents a serious risk for head injuries, which bringing a helmet prevents. Although wearing a helmet can seem uncomfortable or even "dorky," they greatly reduce the risk of concussions. Wristguards are also important to prevent spraining your hands if you fall abruptly. ^{[10]
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- Young children or inexperienced skaters can also wear knee and elbow pads for added precaution.
2
Stay focused on your surroundings. Watch out for other skaters and give yourself plenty of room to practice. Keep your eyes focused ahead and use your peripheral vision to stay aware of what’s going around you. Avoid closing your eyes, especially if skating in a crowded ice rink. ^{[11]
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- Don't wear headphones while skating, especially during your first time. Hearing is just as important as sight when skating.
New skaters often make the mistake of looking at their feet. This not only removes your focus from your surroundings but also ruins your center of gravity. If you find yourself looking down, keep your head up and your eyes level with the horizon. ^{[12]
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4
Train yourself to fall on the ice safely. You never know when you'll fall on the ice, so practice what to do before it becomes vital. Bend your knees and squat forward, and try falling sideways to avoid injuring your wrists. ^{[13]
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- When you're on the ground and feel safe enough to get up, place your feet between your hands and lift to push yourself on your feet.
- Practice falling while off the ice (both with and without skates) to try it in a controlled environment. ^{[14]
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Question

How can I stay balanced while gliding?

Community Answer

Make sure you're not standing up completely straight. Bend your knees, look ahead, and balance your torso front and back depending on where you need the weight.

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I want to do competitive level skating, but I am from Asia, and there aren't a lot of ice rinks. How do I get a coach in another country who will help me with competitive skating?

Seth Boeh

Community Answer

If you are a beginner, coaches from other countries are not going to be willing to travel to coach you. However, if you are already a competitive skater and are successful, a coach might take an interest in you. However, you can get started in competitive skating without a coach. Lots of countries in Asia are home to famous figure skaters, including China, Thailand, Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines, so I'm sure you can find a rink and a coach eventually.

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Can this information be applied to skating with hockey skates as well as figure skates?

Community Answer

For the most part, yes, although hockey skates need to be laced differently and they are more bulky. If you learn to skate with hockey skates, it will take some time to skate with figure skates and vice versa.

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Tips

Have your blades professionally sharpened before you skate if you purchase your own skates.

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Bring a first aid kit with you in case of minor injuries.

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Take baby steps as you practice the different techniques. Learning to skate takes time, and it might take several outings on the rink until you feel at-home on the ice.

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The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

Don't think negatively. If you think you will fall, you might lose your focus and balance and end up falling down. Instead, think positively and work on maintaining your balance!
Don't lift your feet off of the ice. Instead, bend your knees, push forward, and then push the ice with your other foot.
Don't stick your arms out behind you when you fall, as this can potentially hurt your wrist or arm.

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Warnings

Skate only on prepared skating areas (like ice skating rinks) until you have mastered basic skating techniques and have someone else to skate with.

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Brace yourself for hard falls. You never know what accidents can happen on the rink.

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If you suffer a head injury, always alert a skating rink employee immediately to receive medical attention. Concussions can become fatal without professional treatment.

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How to Learn Ice Skating by Yourself

Steps

Choosing Gear and Warming Up

Practicing Basic Techniques

Learning Safety Precautions

Community Q&A

Reader Videos

Tips

Tips from our Readers

Warnings

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