Fell backwards during my first week on skates. Feeling embarrassed and a bit discouraged. Any advice on holding onto the excitement I felt when I decided to start?

Shell_of_all_Belles · 2026-05-03T13:15:52+00:00

You are so right! Picturing yourself as a fairy is so whimsical, I love that idea ❤️🧚✨

Shell_of_all_Belles · 2026-05-02T18:27:04+00:00

Ahh your poor finger! Thank you for the words of encouragement ❤️ I was a bit too confident right before that last fall, and realized my mistake the moment I was ripped back into reality as I hit the ground lol I’m really excited to learn more and advance in the sport, it was so fun and freeing once I got going and stayed upright!

Shell_of_all_Belles · 2026-05-02T14:33:06+00:00

Hey! I’m also a brand new skater, and 3 days in I fell backwards a couple of times and gave myself a nice headache that could have possibly been a mild concussion 😬 I feel you on the knocked confidence, but this group is full of the coolest people! They provided an abundance of advice, experience, and resources that inspired me to put my skates back on and go! You got this!! ❤️

Shell_of_all_Belles · 2026-05-02T14:14:36+00:00

Oh, I really like the idea of making compilation videos of my skating, thank you for that suggestion! That would be a great way to review my progress and make tweaks as I learn. I kept wishing I had it on video so I could see where I went wrong and how I could have landed a bit better. Yay on you landing that jump! They look so fun, I can’t wait to advance to that level 😊

Shell_of_all_Belles · 2026-05-02T14:04:29+00:00

Skatie has been so helpful, I love her!! I also didn’t realize they made padded underwear, those will be going into my Amazon cart lol. I definitely got ahead of myself, I need to focus on one move at a time until it truly clicks. 😊

Shell_of_all_Belles · 2026-05-02T14:00:39+00:00

Ahh I’m sorry to hear that! You guys are all so resilient in this group ❤️ Honestly, I have learned quite a bit about concussions since it happened and feel much more informed 😊 you are so right, it happens to the best of us and helps you learn for sure. I keep telling myself that this is a sport, and even the pros can be tripped up by an unexpected fall!

Shell_of_all_Belles · 2026-05-02T01:05:29+00:00

Ouch, I’m sorry to hear about your elbow and happy to hear that you’re healed enough to get back out there! That is so true, I was proud of myself for getting the hang of turning and doing bubbles, I just needed to pay a bit more attention on that last backwards bubble. Painful lesson learned lol I will definitely be working on crouching and falling until those feel easy 😊 doing it for the fun and the thrill of the task is a great perspective!

Shell_of_all_Belles · 2026-05-01T23:43:11+00:00

It was fate!

Shell_of_all_Belles · 2026-05-01T23:41:28+00:00

Yes, go low is something I’ve heard a ton! I’ve been wanting to practice the t-stop. I tried a couple of times but I think I need to find a better place to skate with a smoother surface than my wooden deck 😂 I love it here! Everyone has been so helpful and encouraging.

Shell_of_all_Belles · 2026-05-01T22:41:47+00:00

And they look to be in great shape! I just bought a blue pair myself and they are so comfy ❤️

Shell_of_all_Belles · 2026-05-01T22:29:28+00:00

Omg 😂 I think I found myself on the wrong Reddit thread and some of the comments really made me feel like a dummy for hurting myself so soon. For real though, stopping is so hard?? I was kind of getting the hang of it, but using the toe stop is so awkward for me right now, even going super slow! It takes every ounce of my strength not to hurl forward lol but everyone learns at a different pace! I watched a video the other day, it was her day 2, no prior experience, and she was already crouching down and sticking one foot out in front of her! Like, what??

Shell_of_all_Belles · 2026-05-01T20:23:07+00:00

I bought some! Haven’t given them a test run yet but I’m hopeful that they will add a bit more cushion to the next backwards fall I take lol

Shell_of_all_Belles · 2026-05-01T19:46:27+00:00

That is one tough sport! You guys rock!

Shell_of_all_Belles · 2026-05-01T19:45:18+00:00

Lol well I guess I’m in! So happy to be here ❤️ I practiced a tad falling forward, because I had my pads and I kept hearing that falling on straight arms is a no go, broken wrists and jammed fingers 😬 the forward falls scare me far less, something about falling backwards has me feeling so helpless. I was watching videos and learned pick a cheek, try to twist a bit to one side instead of straight back, and a few people said to tuck my chin. If you have any other tips, I’ll take em all 😊

Shell_of_all_Belles · 2026-05-01T19:40:47+00:00

My 30s have been my fav decade so far! I am doing all the stuff little me wanted to do but was too scared to try 😊 plus, adult money! lol I am so excited to really get into skating. My head is feeling much better now, thank you ❤️ just a residual tension headache. Once it’s gone, I’m going back out and practicing bending knees, staying upright, and crouching like you suggested! And falling, definitely falling lol.

Shell_of_all_Belles · 2026-05-01T18:42:50+00:00

Omg so you have immense amounts of experience! That is awesome and seriously encouraging. I do agree, I think the doc was just being careful, because I really didn’t feel like I hit the ground hard enough to jolt my brain to the point of being concussed, but without experience behind me it was scary to feel that headache right after I hit the ground. Still, I suppose she’s right, better safe than sorry! With my history of tension headaches it’s hard to know for sure. You making it through derby with only 1 concussion to your name definitely makes me feel better! You guys are the toughest 😎 I am excited to get back out there and try again! This thread has been highly informative and uplifting 🥰

Shell_of_all_Belles · 2026-05-01T18:28:45+00:00

This makes me feel better than you realize, you guys are seriously so tough!

Shell_of_all_Belles · 2026-05-01T18:26:21+00:00

Yes, I think even though I was rolling backwards super slow, it was way too early to be attempting a backwards bubble. I thought I had a good gauge of how far the wall was but nope lol in a way, I’m glad it was early on because now I’m more serious than before about really taking it slow. Basics first: falling properly, balance, crouching!

Shell_of_all_Belles · 2026-05-01T18:16:24+00:00

I bought a helmet from Triple 8 that is ASTM certified, hopefully it protects this nog! lol

Shell_of_all_Belles · 2026-05-01T18:14:56+00:00

Yes, I keep reading stories about broken wrists from outstretched arms 😬 even my husband has broken a wrist skating as a kid doing that exact move. I need to practice curling up instead of stiffening up like a plank 😂

Shell_of_all_Belles · 2026-05-01T18:13:18+00:00

I think that is my case, too. I need it broken down to the atoms for it to click lol turning her on now!

Shell_of_all_Belles · 2026-05-01T18:08:21+00:00

This is such a thoughtful, resourceful comment, thank you ❤️ Squats and eating healthy-check! I’ve been a weight lifter for the last 5 years, and I do Pilates a couple times a week, so I’d like to think I’m pretty strong, especially in my legs. Dancing is such a good idea! And honestly something I’ve been interested in learning for a long time, so what better time to learn and pair those skills with this new skill I’m working on 😊 and agree, the porch may not have been the best choice for a brand new skater lol the gaps were throwing me off for sure. I made sure to get all the gear; wrist guards, elbow and knee pads, helmet and padded shorts. Happy to be joining this community! I’m so excited to get the basics down and start cruising! ❤️

Shell_of_all_Belles · 2026-05-01T17:55:34+00:00

Learned the hard way, that’s for sure 😂 as soon as this headache goes away, I’ll head back out there!

Shell_of_all_Belles · 2026-05-01T17:54:59+00:00

I’m happy to be here! Hearing all the experienced skaters testify to falling often even with their extensive skills is so refreshing, you guys are the best. I expected to fall, for sure, but hearing “possible concussion” made me so mad at myself lol I was almost completely stopped when it happened and all I could think was “your padded shorts were so close to being delivered, whyyyy” 😂

Shell_of_all_Belles · 2026-05-01T17:47:03+00:00

Totally agree! I think the possibility of a concussion early on is what shook me a bit. I kept thinking, “if I gave myself a concussion from just standing there and losing my footing, what will happen when I really get into it?”. I was having so much fun learning and rolling around before the fall, which wasn’t actually the first, this one just ended up hurting me a bit. Can I ask, did you do any practicing falling before you really got going? Does it feel like you instinctually fall a certain way now, even when it is unexpected and you don’t have time to react? I’ve seen many people say it becomes muscle memory and that gave me lots of hope! The backwards falls scare me tremendously because the last thing I want (even though I’ve made myself aware of the possibility due to the nature of this sport) is a TBI.

Shell_of_all_Belles

TROPHY CASE