The dreaded plow stop!

Tonight I went to Open Skate hoping to practice my plow stop. Yeah, that didn't really happen as it was so crowded! I forgot it was Spring Break. I was hoping that because it was so nice out, the kids would outside playing rather than skating. Wrong! In order to be placed on a team, you have to pass the written exam (which I have already done) and the "skills" tests. The two skills I am most worried about are my plow stop and jumping on skates. I can jump if I'm not going too fast but I've got to master that damn plow stop. I'd like to do it sooner rather than later! So, derby girls, what is the technique for a plow stop? The techniques goes like this:

1. Go wide - really really wide. Your feet (and weight) should NOT be under you, your feet should be about a meter apart with your weight slightly back.

2. Dig in with your outer edges first. Your stance should be wide (about a meter apart) with your feet angled inward. You will feel the pressure on the outside edge of both feet. Push into this pressure hard! Dig in and you will slow down.

3. As you slow almost to a complete stop bring your stance smaller (with your feet almost right under you), squeeze with the muscles of your inner thighs and with dig with the inside edges of your skates. By doing this last move you will come to a complete stop. If you find that you can slow but not stop using the plow technique is probably because you lack the finish move.

4. Practice, practice and then practice some more!

I guess I better focus on #4. There is so much in derby that is absolutely nothing like anything I've ever done before in my life. It's been a challenging and interesting process on so many levels and I'm loving how strong it makes me feel. Really, it makes sense for me to push for this thing I really hope to master: becoming an ass-kicker to be reckoned with!