November 26, 2023

Falling, part 2

Regarding: falling on roller skates. There are a few things to keep in mind. 

When you lose your balance, the instinct is to stand up tall, to try and get away from the ground. The best thing you can do is bend your knees, lowering your center of gravity and proactively meeting the ground to, perhaps, avoid a fall. 

Fall forwards, not backwards. Fall forwards, not backwards. 

If you can turn to the side, do it. If you can fall on your kneepads, one after another, do it. If you can tap one knee down and just keep skating, do it. In other words: the fall is what you make it. 

When you fall, get back up. 

~ ~ 

In Roller Derby, a skater hitting the ground elicits a patter of applause. Falling is beautiful, glorified. As it should be.