1. The Built-In Stop. Most skates, except for advanced ones, have a braking system already built in. The two most common types of brakes are the heel brake and Rollerblade's Active Break Technology (ABT). The heel brake is attached to the rear wheel. To activate it, bend your knees, hold your arms slightly in front of you, tip the toe of your brake foot upward and apply pressure to the brake until you stop. ABT is easier than most other braking systems, because it allows you to keep all eight wheels on the ground, helping you feel more balanced and in control, which is key to a happy skating experience. Moving the brake skate forward activates the brake, which applies pressure on the cuff causing the brake pad to lower to the ground.

2. The T-Stop. This is a very simple way to stop. All you have to do is drag one foot perpendicular to the other and let the friction from wheels on the dragged skate slow you down. "It's more of a slow-down method than a stopping method," Dinndorf says. "And it quickly wears down your wheels on the skate that you're dragging."

3. The Hockey Stop. This is for advanced skaters only; beginners run the risk of injuring themselves by flying forward after such an abrupt stop. The stop requires you to do a quick turn to the left or right to slow you down. It's a common move for hockey players, skiers and snowboarders.

4. The Desperate Stop. If stops 1 through 3 fail, or if you have a momentary lapse of reason, you can always fall into the nearest grass or wrap your arms around a sturdy tree, although Dinndorf doesn't recommend using this as your regular stopping method.

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