# One-Foot Glide

Part of the Skating Merit Badge Digital Resource Guide: [Introduction & Overview](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/skating/guide/index.md)

*2. Option C — In-Line Skating*

> **2c6.** Skate forward and glide at least 15 feet on one skate, then on the other skate.

Gliding on a single in-line skate is similar to the same skill on roller skates (Req 2b5) but requires slightly more lateral ankle stability because the wheel row is narrower. You need 15 feet on each foot.

### Technique

1. Build forward speed with several good strokes.
2. Bring feet parallel and begin coasting.
3. Smoothly shift all body weight onto one foot — transfer from the ankles, not by leaning at the waist.
4. Lift the free foot a few inches and hold it behind and slightly to the side of the glide foot.
5. Keep the gliding knee slightly bent. Hold the glide for 15 feet.
6. Set down, build speed, and repeat on the other foot.

### Balance on an In-Line Skate

In-line skates are narrower (front-to-back) than quad skates and have less lateral stability than ice skates. This makes side-to-side balance more demanding:

- **Center over the wheel row.** Your weight should be centered directly over the wheel row — neither tilted to the inside edge (would send you sideways) nor the outside edge.
- **Use your arms as stabilizers.** Arms held slightly out and forward help fine-tune balance.
- **Micro-adjustments are normal.** Small ankle corrections are how you maintain balance on a narrow wheel row. Fighting them makes things worse — let your ankle move.

> **Tip**
>
> If you keep catching the inside edge, try pressing the outside edge of your boot sole slightly. If you keep catching the outside edge, try pressing from the ball of your foot inward. These tiny adjustments reset your center over the wheel row.

## Official Resources

Video: [Gliding on One Skate (video)](https://youtu.be/iwtS9vr4r-Y)

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