Heelys Update – 2012 Part Two of Two

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By Terry (Papa) Orr

Grinds

BEGINNER

FrontSide Grind - Skate forward and jump on the rail forwards, facing the direction you were traveling. Slide along the rail with the instep of your shoe. Jump off and skate backwards in the direction you came from.

Backside Grind - Skate forward and jump on the rail so you are facing the direction you came from. Jump off the rail and skate forward.

Royale - In this grind, you can be facing the front or the back. Angle your feet so the grind plate bottoms are facing into the sliding direction that you are grinding in.

INTERMEDIATE

Farfegnugen - This can be performed both frontwards or backwards. Angle your feet so the grind plates are facing away from the sliding direction you are grinding in.

Cheese Grater - In this grind, your toes are facing out. Your front foot faces one direction and the other foot faces another direction. Commonly the front foot faces out to the left and the back foot faces to the right. Your legs are not crossed.

UFO - This can be a front or a back grind. This grind is has both feet angled in so the grind plates are facing away from each other.

ADVANCED

Footy Grind - For this grind, you only grind with one foot. When you jump on the rail, only use one foot.

Rail Flip - In the middle of a grind, jump and change your feet direction on the rail.

Unity - In the middle of a grind, put your back foot over the front foot. Your feet should cross.

Stalls

BEGINNER

Front Stall - In this stall, you skate forward and jump on the rail. Jump backwards to finish out this basic stall.

Backside Stall - Skate forward and turn while jumping so you are facing the direction you came. Stop on the rail and skate forwards.

One-Footed Stall - Skate forward and stall with only one foot. The other foot never touches it. Finish it out by jumping over the rail.

Safety Stall - This stall is just like a One-footed Stall, only you grab your free foot with the hand that is on the same side.

INTERMEDIATE

180 Dismount - Skate forward and stall facing the rail. While you are jumping off the rail, spin 180 degrees to face the direction you came from.

360 Dismount - Skate forward and stall on the rail. While you are on the rail, spin 360 degrees while you are jumping off, so you are facing the rail.

Joe Stall - In this forward stall, you put one foot on the rail and cross the other when you stop. The toe on the crossed foot should touch the rail. Jump over the rail to finish it out.

Criss-Cross Stall - This stall is a lot like the Joe Stall. You put one foot on the rail and cross the other foot. The grind plate or insteap of the crossed foot should touch the rail. Jump over the rail and skate off.

Pretzel Stall - Skate forward and jump on the rail with one foot facing one direction while the other was facing the other direction. Jump over the rail and plant your feet down together to dismount.

Wall Stall - Skate forward and jump onto a vertical surface. Jump off.

Disaster Stall - Skate forward and jump onto the rail. Balance only on the grind plates or instep of the shoes.

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Vert (Performed on a Ramp)

BEGINNER

Ground Zero - Run from the middle of the ramp up the edge, skate down into the ramp.

Dropping In - Start at the top of the ramp. Place your wheels on the edge and drop down onto the ramp using only your wheels.

Frontside - Skate on the ramp. Grind on the top edge of the ramp facing away from the ramp. Turn around and skate back down the ramp.

Backside - Skate normally on the ramp. When you reach the top, flip around and grind on the edge of the ramp. Skate back down the ramp to finish it out.

INTERMEDIATE

Frontside Tru - In this frontside vert, skate on the ramp up to the top and grind on the edge with the instep of your Heelys. Flip around and skate down the rest of the ramp.

Kamikaze Drop-In - Facing away from the ramp, spin around while jumping off the edge. You want to face the ramp when you finish the spin and skate down.

Speedo - In this vert, you jump off the edge of a flatbank or a ramp. You will free fall and catch some air before you drop back down.

Acid Drop-In - In this sweet vert, you jump off a object that is higher than the ramp. You will you free fall off the edge and catch some air before you skate down.

Carving - In this vert, you round the corners of a horizontal curve, keeping the same speed in the curve. On the edge, turn off and skate off.

ADVANCED

Change Lanes - Skate forward and do a grind on the edge ramp. Turn around after the grind and skate down a different part of the ramp.

Hand Plant - This move combines a handstand and a vert. Skate to the top of the ramp. Put your hands on the edge and kick your feet up in the air to do a handstand. Drop back down and skate backwards on the ramp.

Antipod - Skate down the ramp and turn around when you meet the edge of ramp. Grind on the top of ramp and skate forward.

Acid Drop-In Backwards - Facing away from the ramp, jump off an object that is higher than the ramp. Catch some air and skate down the ramp backwards.

Dropping In Backwards - Facing away from the ramp and jump off the edge. You should skate down the ramp backwards.

Halo - While you are skating up the ramp, plant on the side of the ramp without your wheels. Do a 360 and land on the top of the ramp.

Airing Out - Skate up the ramp higher than the edge to catch some air and turn around so you can skate back down the ramp.

Kobayashi - In this move you face the ramp, and before you drop down off the edge, do a 360 spin in the air and jump off the ramp.

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Heelys Update – 2012 Part One of Two

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By Terry (Papa) Orr

Last August (http://kisbyto.blogspot.com/2011/08/having-fun-and-being-safe.html) we wrote about safety, preventing injury and a little about the equipment for save use of Heelys.  This year we will focus on some of the tricks, tips, moves and whatever.

There are a ton of sites out there that provide videos depicting the basic through pro tricks and moves on Heelys by some of the best folks around.  Whether you are just cruising along the sidewalk, at the park, on the ramps or rails – there is surely something to help you in learning how to do these safely.

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To help establish a common starting point, here is a list of terms used regarding Heelys (from Adult Heelys Shoes (http://adultheelysshoes.com/page/heelys_tricks.html):

Ground Tricks (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ns7meOWH8Bg)

BEGINNER

Switching - The whole point of this move is to change the position of your feet. For this move, you want to change the position of your feet. While you are skating, move your back foot forward while at the same time, you are moving your front foot back. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2b7bjxuFIOc)

Shuffling - This trick is similar to switching, but you stay in the same place the whole time. You want to move your back foot forward while you move your front foot back.

Skating Backwards - While you are standing stationary, use your forward foot and step back. Step back with your now forward foot and go into a basic skate position. You will push yourself backward. You will be going heeling like normal, only going backwards.

Propulsion Switch - Get some speed before you start this trick. This moves looks like you are quickly switching, one switch after another. While you are skating, move your back foot forward while at the same time, you are moving your front foot back. After one switch you automatically go into the next switch.

Fish tail - Heely like normally, but shift your weight from one side to the other while you are moving your feet to the opposite side. You should be going in a sideways zig zag pattern.

180 - Start by skating normally. Angle your feet in the direction you are going to spin in. While you are turning, switch your feet. You will now be Heelying on your front foot and your back foot will be in the front. Skate backwards.

Revert - This is the opposite of a 180. Facing backwards. With your front foot, push off and skate backwards. With your back foot, twist your foot until you have turned around, switch your feet, so your back foot now becomes your front foot and your front foot becomes your back foot.

INTERMEDIATE

Toe Jam - Skate normally, with your back foot, lean forward until you are stopped by the rubber on the toe. This stalls your skating. Move your forward foot backwards. Pivot on your back foot until your front foot is in the opposite direction, and then push off the back foot until you are skating in the opposite direction from the direction you were previously going.

Crabwalk - Heely normally. Rotate your body and front foot like you are doing a turn. Move your front foot to your side until you are facing to the sideways. Your toes should be facing out and your feet will be parallel with your heels facing each other. Your knees should be bent.

Pipeline - This move is very similar to the crabwalk. While you are skating normally, rotate your body and front foot like you are doing a turn. Move your front foot to your side until you are facing sideways. Your toes should be facing outwards and your feet will be parallel with your heels facing each other. Your knees should be straight.

360 - Rotate your foot like you are going to turn. Keep turning around, you back foot will follow the front foot, until it becomes the front foot and your feet switch. Keep turning and the back foot will become the front foot again and you will be skating in the direction you came from.

Powerslide - This trick looks similar to a 360, but it has a slide afterwards. Rotate your front foot to the side, then move the front foot to the back so you turn around and your back foot becomes the front. Put your toes down to stop yourself and finish off the slide. A way to put a cool twist on it is by changing the angle of your back foot which can cause you to spin out.

Manual - With this trick you show off your balancing skills. While you are skating, lift one foot off the ground. You will be only skating on one wheel and the other will be in the air.

Sonic Stop - Skate normally. Bring your back foot forward until your feet are parallel. Lean back and use your brake pads on the back of the Heelys to come to a complete stop.

Manual Heel Stop - This is the combination of the manual and the sonic stop. While riding on one wheel only with the other foot raised in the air, lean backwards and use the brake pad to come to a complete stop.

Nollie - While you are skating, put your forward foot down and jump off of it into the air to do a spin or trick midair.

Ollie - This is similar to a Nollie, but you put down your back foot and jump off of it into the air for a spin.

ADVANCED

Weaving - This trick is up to you. This is where you maneuver around obstacles while you are doing any of the ground tricks.

Psycho - Start by standing on your wheels with your feet next to each other. Bend down and swing your arms in order to gain speed. Tuck your arms close to your chest once you start spinning. Spin in circles and try to do 4 or more 360 spins.

Footy 360 - You do a 360, but you are only balanced on one wheel. When you go into the spin, lift up your back foot and skate only on the front wheel. Put your foot back down when you finish the spin.

Can Opener - First do a 360, but as you come out of it, put each foot down with the toes outward and heels facing each other like a crabwalk or pipeline. This could also be done with a footy 360 first and then the crabwalk or pipeline.

Reverse Manual - First do a 360, but as you come out of it, put each foot down with the toes outward and heels facing each other like a crabwalk or pipeline. This could also be done with a footy 360 first and then the crabwalk or pipeline.

AOD - In this trick, you skate forward with you feet together. Your toes will face forward and your arms stick out to your side to form a “T” shape.

Mute Air - While you are skating, reach down in front of your legs with one hand and grab the opposite skate. Bend your knee on the leg that is being grabbed. Skate while holding on.

Judo Air - This move is similar to a Mute Air. You reach down behind you with one hand and grab the opposite skate. Bend your knee on the leg that is being grabbed. The ungrabbed leg is still straight and you skate while holding on.

Method Air - While you are skating, reach down with your hand and grab the skate that is on the same side. This might be easier with your legs bent.

Part two will cover Grinds, Stalls and Vert (Performed on a Ramp)

This is what I would look like ...
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Having Fun and being Safe!

Heelys - Staying Safe and Preventing Injuries

Like most things in life – there are some basic safety precautions we need to follow as Heelys is no exception.  My kids did skateboarding and had their fair share of bumps and bruises – and grandsons have all done skateboarding, inline skates, bikes and Heelys.  Had they been around when I was growing up, you can be sure that I also would have had my own.

For those parents who are out of the loop, Heelys are those new sneakers that have a hidden wheel in the back, so kids can roll around (heeling), in addition to the more traditional walking and running.

Heely Injuries

Heelys are thought to be safe by most parents since kids are usually not going very fast on their Heelys, but it is important to keep in mind that kids can get hurt while "heeling" or using them in skate mode.

They likely aren't any more dangerous than skateboards, scooters, or inline skates, but kids do seem to get the same injuries when heeling.

Preventing Injuries from Heelys

While many kids use their Heelys like inline skates, the problem is that few kids wear any safety gear when using their Heelys in skate mode.

Keep in mind that the manufacturer does state that "it is highly recommended to wear a Heelys helmet, wrist guards, knee pads, and elbow pads when using your Heelys skate shoes."

To prevent injuries from Heelys, be sure to have your kids wear the recommended safety gear, remove the wheels when using Heelys in shoe mode, and don't allow your kids to use their Heelys in skate mode in or near traffic, on uneven surfaces, or on stairs.

What You Need To Know

Make sure your kids stagger their feet when heeling, with one foot in front of the other. If they keep both feet together, they will likely fall.

Kids should always wear protective safety equipment, including a helmet, wrist guards, knee pads, and elbow pads, when heeling, just like they should when using a skateboard, scooter, or inline skates.

Don't leave the wheels in your child's Heelys all of the time, which will simply tempt your child to use the Heelys in skate mode more impulsively, including in parking lots, grocery stores, or the mall, and when he is less likely to be prepared and have protective gear.