🗓️ 13052026 1200
Fish is the simplest slalom trick and the first place to properly learn how slalom movement works — not just as a starter exercise, but as the foundation for everything from Crazy to spins.
Slalom Laboratory's take: you don't need to master basic skating before starting slalom. Fish already teaches the core mechanics, and you can learn to build speed within the trick itself rather than switching to basic skating for it.
V and A Positions
Forward movement in slalom depends on the angle between your two skate frames:
| Position | Foot shape | Going forward | Going backward |
|---|---|---|---|
| V | Toes out | Accelerates | Decelerates |
| A | Toes in | Decelerates / brakes | Accelerates |
Think of it as wheel direction: V points your wheels outward so each push drives you forward. A points them inward, acting as a brake.
These two positions drive crosses, rotations, and advanced tricks — the angle just shifts depending on direction and move.
Slalom vs Basic Skating
Basic skating cycle: push → recovery (lift foot) → glide → set down
In slalom (Fish especially): the recovery phase is minimised — the foot stays close to the ground to maintain control rather than maximise speed. This is what makes slalom feel different from regular skating.
Checking Your Technique
Perform the skill at 0 speed next to a cone for 2+ full cycles. If you can't do it stationary, speed is hiding a technique problem.
References
- Slalom Laboratory (YouTube)