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When I first started going to derby practices on my crappy Walmart skates I was on terrible nylon plates that were not meant to be adjusted, and radar energies (really soft outdoor wheels). I wasn't fast, in any stretch of the imagination, but I was sturdy. I was really sturdy.

When I switched to my Rebel Avengers I went from a plate that didn't move at all to a DA45. I switched from outdoor wheels to 92a Fugitives. I also switched to a sport mount. I had speed that was so drastically different that it actually scared me at first lol, but I felt my stability wavering. I couldn't plow stop anymore because either my wheels kept sliding on our floor or I sunk my butt and hips too low and fell backwards. I wobble and shake and my feet kill me.

None of my instructors have had anything but 15* plates, regularly mounted, and they all tell us when doing new skills to shift our weight onto our heels >.< Which makes me fall backwards. My tailbone is starting to hate me.

I think a lot of this is because we only have 4 practices a month and oftentimes we have one or two that are on a night that I have classes, so I only get 2-4 practices in a month. The "local" roller rink is too congested to do anything besides skate forward and maybe sticky skate, but even that makes me go too fast and then I'm stuck behind a wall. Now that the weather is nice, I'll be getting some outdoor wheels and skating outside though. My muscles just simply aren't building up with so few practices, so nothing is getting easier.
That sounds frustrating. I think that skating outside (or even in your house) will help your stability quite a bit.
But if the avenger isn't working for you after you've done those things a bit, maybe try trading it for a longer one. I've skated a size 1 and a size 2, and I prefer the size 2. I skated the 1 for freshmeat and managed to "graduate" but I felt a lot better once I switched (I actually went to a pilot falcon, and I've since aquired a size 2 avenger). I found it much easier to stand up after falls and knee slides, and I felt more stable in the pack...fell less often.
I'm not trying to talk you out of your plates, but it's a big jump to go from standard mounted 10 degree to a short DA45!

You might need to work in those rink visits, even if it's crowded. You can work on all kinds of things at the rink...backwards skating, transitions, stops in each corner of the rink, cutting around those walls of kids. I even get in the middle and practice spins. Any time on your skates will help you improve!
I have a tiny 2nd floor apartment and my downstairs neighbor had asked me not to skate inside, unfortunately. Also, aside from being crowded the rink is about 45 mins away and I don't have my own vehicle, so it can be difficult to get to. I also unfortunately can't afford a new plate, but my eyes are open on all of the recycle derby pages looking for a potential swap.

One of the ladies on my league owns a skate shop and I'm going to be heading over Tuesday to see what options I do have.
(04-19-2014, 08:55 AM)NerdieLizzie Wrote: [ -> ]When I first started going to derby practices on my crappy Walmart skates I was on terrible nylon plates that were not meant to be adjusted, and radar energies (really soft outdoor wheels). I wasn't fast, in any stretch of the imagination, but I was sturdy. I was really sturdy.

When I switched to my Rebel Avengers I went from a plate that didn't move at all to a DA45. I switched from outdoor wheels to 92a Fugitives. I also switched to a sport mount. I had speed that was so drastically different that it actually scared me at first lol, but I felt my stability wavering. I couldn't plow stop anymore because either my wheels kept sliding on our floor or I sunk my butt and hips too low and fell backwards. I wobble and shake and my feet kill me.

I hope you are on purple cushions. If you aren't on purple cushions, get on them. If purple is not working, try red cushions. Feet killing you suggests a possibly too long pivot pin. You should be able to do a one foot glide with ease. If you wobble a lot, your pivot pins are too long. They need to be shortened.

None of my instructors have had anything but 15* plates, regularly mounted, and they all tell us when doing new skills to shift our weight onto our heels >.< Which makes me fall backwards. My tailbone is starting to hate me.

Time to stop listening to your instructors. I am at a loss to think of any particular skill where *I* would be telling to get their weight on their heels. At least never listen to them when they say get weight on heels.

I think a lot of this is because we only have 4 practices a month and oftentimes we have one or two that are on a night that I have classes, so I only get 2-4 practices in a month. The "local" roller rink is too congested to do anything besides skate forward and maybe sticky skate, but even that makes me go too fast and then I'm stuck behind a wall. Now that the weather is nice, I'll be getting some outdoor wheels and skating outside though. My muscles just simply aren't building up with so few practices, so nothing is getting easier.

This is not quite a "cry me a river" post, but maybe just a small stream. "My instructors have 15 degree, my butt is sore, I feel unstable." First, red cushions will stiffen up the action, secondly, sport mount is NOT rear tippy, thirdly, check your pivot pins.

If you lose confidence, CONVINCE yourself that these skates are unusable, they will be. These skates, as far as I know, I have not seen a picture of the mount, are perfectly usable, and well suited to the job. In the end, they may not suit you, but PLENTY can be done to make them more suitable.
Go on YouTube and listen to Devos' Whip It. Then get out there and teach these skates who's boss. Tank

Now Buck Up Lizzie, and make sure the skates are set up properly.
I am on purple cushions, my skates came with the purple ones. I'm able to glide the straightaway just fine on my left leg, but I wobble a lot on my right leg, however I just figured that I have less balance on my right leg. I tried to adjust the pivot pins when I first got them, but I wasn't seeing/feeling any movement when I squeezed them no mater what I did so I brought them to my dad who has big beefy hands lol (and is a handyman) and he adjusted them until he didn't feel any movement.

I know for a fact that a lot of my difficulties have been basic endurance issues too, the further into practice we get the harder it is to lift my skates let alone to crossovers. I'm not the fittest of people, nor have I ever been any kind of athlete (in fact I'm more of a sit in the sun with a good book type), but I'm working on it. I just don't know exactly how to work out the derby specific muscles outside of derby practice/skating.
I will hazard to bet that right leg/foot is where you are having the most pain too. It is the pivot. I know bad pivot adjustments well. I had my DA45's for months and was great on them. Then as I was experimenting, I got lost. It was about 3-4 weeks of misery trying to get it all sorted out. Here is the fruit of my misery: The Pivot Pin Neutral Point.

When you can, have your dad, or do it yourself, teardown you skates. Wheels off trucks, trucks off plates. Leave the barrel cushions on.
Take a truck and put it on the plate. The hole on the truck that goes around the king pin is larger than the king pin. On a good starting pivot pin adjustment, the trucks' hole will sit on the barrel cushion, and EVENLY surround the king pin. If a pivot pin is too long, the pivot pin side of the truck hole will be closer to the king pin: Not even. If a pivot pin is too short, the end farthest from the pivot pin will be closer to the king pin.

So the trick is, adjust the pivot pins on each truck, one by one, until the truck hole evenly surrounds the king pin. Then tighten that pivot pin about 1/2 a turn. Then lock it down with the lock nut.

Do them one by one, keeping a truck on the king pin it was checked on.

Then put the cone cushion on. When the nut is tight enough to stop the truck from jiggling, tighten 1-1.5 turns.

Barring any unforeseen glitches in the process, this should put you on a properly adjusted skate on all 4 trucks.

You should have a nice solid feel on both skates without any vagueness and good turning without any hyper-turney feel. Smile
Lizzie: A place to look for lots of skates and cheap.

Craigs List. In the menu.

Click on >>>>>sporting and when it opens. Type in the search bar.>>>>>> Roller Skates.

Lots of roller derby stuff usually there,some almost new and good prices,deal with the actual owner.

You can also type in Wanted for wheels,bearings gear etc what ever you looking for.
Okie
Lol I tried craigslist and all they have are kids skates, which is really surprising since I live in the greater Boston area. Thanks for the tip though ^^ I am part of a FB group called Roller Derby Recyclables and people post on there a lot.
Lizzie, looking for a place to skate etc. And maybe close to your home to.

"Church Parking lots." Most church parking lots are real smooth and large to.

Usually Located in a safe area. Start cruising your local area for church's. Maybe something nearby.

Bicycle? You can get a real cheap bicycle off of craig's list to. Basic transportation and wear your gear pedaling to a church parking lot. Take water.

Keep bicycle in your apartment.
Okie
(04-22-2014, 11:12 AM)"OKIE Wrote: [ -> ]Lizzie, looking for a place to skate etc. And maybe close to your home to.

"Church Parking lots." Most church parking lots are real smooth and large to.

Usually Located in a safe area. Start cruising your local area for church's. Maybe something nearby.

Bicycle? You can get a real cheap bicycle off of craig's list to. Basic transportation and wear your gear pedaling to a church parking lot. Take water.

Keep bicycle in your apartment.
Okie

I have often thought about skating in a church parking lot (esp to practice on my inlines) but assumed it would be frowned upon. There are 2 big smooth ones really close to our house.


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