Skate Slalom: Crossovers and Weight Shifts

Students ride lines of cones set closer and closer, working on weight-shift turns and crossover steps. Everyone picks their own challenge level.

How to play

1. Free glide in one direction with wide turns left and right (4 min).
2. Cones 2 m apart: slalom with both skates together, steering with knees and hips (6 min).
3. Cones 1.5 m apart: alternate push and shift weight to each side (6 min).
4. Turn around a big cone with outside crossover steps (6 min).
5. Personal challenge: pick a line (2 m, 1.5 m or cups at 1 m) and string together three clean runs (6 min).

Rules

• One skater per line at a time; the next goes when the first passes the third cone.
• Return around the outside, never through the line.
• If you clip a cone, keep going; don't stop mid-slalom.
• Full protective gear.

Variations

Adaptations

• Students with low vision: tall bright cones and a partner clapping at each cone.
• Unsure skaters: walk the slalom on skates on grass, or ride the wide line holding a stick carried by a partner.
• Students without skates: do the slalom on a scooter or on foot with side steps.

Learning goals

• Turn smoothly by shifting weight.
• Use crossover steps in a turn.
• Pick a fitting challenge and improve on it.

Equipment for a class of 25

• inline skates: 28
• helmets: 28
• knee pads: 28
• wrist guards: 28
• cones: 30
• plastic cups: 30

Teacher tip

Plastic cups make good low cones and won't trip anyone. Common mistake: turning only with the shoulders; ask for knees and hips.

More main activities for Middle School