Blading for Credit

There's a new option for physical-education credit: rollerblading. The course meets one and a half hours weekly. We asked instructors Mike Silverman and Jenny Hubbard for the sort of tips that they teach.

Choose suitable blades and wheels. Stiffer blades are better on hills and cross-country training; the less stiff ones are more suited for city skating. Check out the wheel sizes in diameter—the larger the wheels, the faster they'll go. Then there's the "durometer," the numbers on the wheels that have letters following them. The lower the number, the softer and better-gripping the wheel.

Wear a helmet, along with pads for your knees, wrists, and elbows.

When learning to skate, keep your center of gravity forward by holding your hands in front as if to push open a door.

To maintain balance while standing, move your legs back and forth in little scissor-like motions.

To stop, slide your right foot forward and go to a sitting position, putting pressure on the right foot; the more pressure, the faster the stop.

To regain balance, put your hands on your knees.

If you're losing control, head for grass. If you have to fall, fall forward onto your knees and wrists. Then slide forward until your elbows hit the ground.

Wheel-life credit: Rollerbladingnow counts for PE.