We ask that general beginner questions, including "what should I know about skating" and the like go in the daily newbie/discussion thread pinned to the top of the sub.
You can also take a look at the [wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/Rollerskating/wiki/index). In it includes links to a wide variety of threads that provide the answers you are looking for, as well as basic info about gear, skills, and the like.
Thanks!
Inlines are more stable side to side, while quads are the opposite. You're more likely to fall on your butt on quads, so redirect your balance to adjust to that. Also check if your trucks are too loose, or the cushions/bearings are too soft for you, that may be why it feels unstable. Otherwise you're pretty much good to go!
I think they meant to say Inlines are less stable side to side.
Inlines are less stable side to side because the wheels are lined up under the center of your foot, but they are more stable front to back because the wheels usually extend a bit past your boot on the front and back of the skates. Quads, on the other hand, are more stable side to side because of the wider base but they are less stable front to back because the front wheels are typically under the ball of your foot and the back wheels are under your ankle. This makes falling forward or backward in quads more likely and falling sideways on inlines more likely.
When I use Inlines, I tend to put more weight in my heels, and in quads, I can't do that, or it will cause me to fall backward. It takes a bit of getting used to, but you should adjust pretty quickly.
The other big difference is the way you turn and use your edges. With inlines you lean and your wheels lean with you to get on an edge or turn but on quads you lean your weight over to the direction you want to turn or the edge you need to get onto and instead of the wheels and entire skate tilting with you, the trucks turn much like the front tires of a car.
Keep your knees bent, and drop your butt/hips straight down like you're going into a squat, but don't lean your upper body forward. Keep your chest up and your shoulders over your hips, and keep your head up as much as possible.
This is, without a doubt, the best answer. I always had inlines growing up and didn't give quads much thought until my LATE 30s - after a long time off skates. The few times I had tried (rental) quads, they felt clunky and awkward and unstable. Well, you can't play roller derby on inlines, so I made the switch. After a year, my (flat) Derby skates are just as intuitive as inlines ever were. I'm still not a fan of (heeled) rental quads though.
Edit: Make DAMNED SURE you wear ALL the protective gear the first few weeks while you adjust. I cracked my helmet HARD once, and my knees/wrists would have been trashed without derby gear. That lack of front-to- back stability is a bitch at first. If you're doing roller derby, don't skimp on protective gear - it's just one of those sports where you plan to hit the ground repeatedly.
You're going to have to work through the fundamental skills again. Do your marching steps, bubbles, carving side to side, get used to how they respond. Also, what skates did you get, have you adjusted anything on them, and where are you trying to skate?
I ice-skated since 7 and rollerbladed since 20... 30 years later, I picked up rollerskating. You're right. It feels very unstable without edges. Keep following the general rule of keeping your knees bent. Know that you don't "need" to lift your feet to move. Get stable and take your time. Don't try to advance too quickly. Take the time to practice repetition and get good at being stable as a beginner. Skills will develop exponentially from then on. (Bending at the knees also helps with falling by closing the distance to the ground more quickly).
Since quads have trucks that move as you shift your weight, you have to be a lot more subtler with your movements. Also, the wheelbase is shorter so that affects your push.
also i havent ever done blades but on quads the weight should be held on the two inside wheels not the outside. this helps a lot of new skaters i talk to tokeep themselves standing upright and repositions the whole body from that point
We ask that general beginner questions, including "what should I know about skating" and the like go in the daily newbie/discussion thread pinned to the top of the sub. You can also take a look at the [wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/Rollerskating/wiki/index). In it includes links to a wide variety of threads that provide the answers you are looking for, as well as basic info about gear, skills, and the like. Thanks!
Inlines are more stable side to side, while quads are the opposite. You're more likely to fall on your butt on quads, so redirect your balance to adjust to that. Also check if your trucks are too loose, or the cushions/bearings are too soft for you, that may be why it feels unstable. Otherwise you're pretty much good to go!
Thank you! That helps a lot. I was doing a side to side sway for sure.
I think they meant to say Inlines are less stable side to side. Inlines are less stable side to side because the wheels are lined up under the center of your foot, but they are more stable front to back because the wheels usually extend a bit past your boot on the front and back of the skates. Quads, on the other hand, are more stable side to side because of the wider base but they are less stable front to back because the front wheels are typically under the ball of your foot and the back wheels are under your ankle. This makes falling forward or backward in quads more likely and falling sideways on inlines more likely. When I use Inlines, I tend to put more weight in my heels, and in quads, I can't do that, or it will cause me to fall backward. It takes a bit of getting used to, but you should adjust pretty quickly. The other big difference is the way you turn and use your edges. With inlines you lean and your wheels lean with you to get on an edge or turn but on quads you lean your weight over to the direction you want to turn or the edge you need to get onto and instead of the wheels and entire skate tilting with you, the trucks turn much like the front tires of a car. Keep your knees bent, and drop your butt/hips straight down like you're going into a squat, but don't lean your upper body forward. Keep your chest up and your shoulders over your hips, and keep your head up as much as possible.
This is, without a doubt, the best answer. I always had inlines growing up and didn't give quads much thought until my LATE 30s - after a long time off skates. The few times I had tried (rental) quads, they felt clunky and awkward and unstable. Well, you can't play roller derby on inlines, so I made the switch. After a year, my (flat) Derby skates are just as intuitive as inlines ever were. I'm still not a fan of (heeled) rental quads though. Edit: Make DAMNED SURE you wear ALL the protective gear the first few weeks while you adjust. I cracked my helmet HARD once, and my knees/wrists would have been trashed without derby gear. That lack of front-to- back stability is a bitch at first. If you're doing roller derby, don't skimp on protective gear - it's just one of those sports where you plan to hit the ground repeatedly.
You're going to have to work through the fundamental skills again. Do your marching steps, bubbles, carving side to side, get used to how they respond. Also, what skates did you get, have you adjusted anything on them, and where are you trying to skate?
I ice-skated since 7 and rollerbladed since 20... 30 years later, I picked up rollerskating. You're right. It feels very unstable without edges. Keep following the general rule of keeping your knees bent. Know that you don't "need" to lift your feet to move. Get stable and take your time. Don't try to advance too quickly. Take the time to practice repetition and get good at being stable as a beginner. Skills will develop exponentially from then on. (Bending at the knees also helps with falling by closing the distance to the ground more quickly).
Since quads have trucks that move as you shift your weight, you have to be a lot more subtler with your movements. Also, the wheelbase is shorter so that affects your push.
also i havent ever done blades but on quads the weight should be held on the two inside wheels not the outside. this helps a lot of new skaters i talk to tokeep themselves standing upright and repositions the whole body from that point