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In all races, as established by current national and international rules, the skater must start from an immobile position, both in short or long distance races. Naturally, in shorter races the value of the start is fundamental for the final result.
As mentioned in the previous pages, body inclination is a determining factor for obtaining full success in the curve (rolling and cross-over step).

Beyond the potentialities of each individual, the capability of accelerating in a short time depends on the right body position in the first pushes (about 8-10).
The execution speed in the initial 8 pushes is a determining factor in obtaining a good results. The pushing time registered by the best specialists in the world are around 30/100 of second. The body axis inclination moves the frontal plane (the plane which divides the body in anterior and posterior) in the advancing direction and the pushing axis of “leg, thigh, trunk, head”, is not broken.
The excessive bending forward of the trunk in the acceleration phase does not permit the advancement of the leg that comes back to place (the right leg in pict. 1, in pict. 5 the left leg can advance for Gregory and Daniel in the correct pushing inclination). Do not make the mistake in thinking that at the start the steps must be “short”. In order to give efficacy to the pushes the extension-push of a single leg must be complete and must be done on all wheels before proceeding to the push with the first wheel. This action will produce a good width of the step (from the first chapter: the step width is proportional to the knee angle set at the landing moment).
Important: to put in act what has previously been described, the landings must have a correct skate extra-rotation in the acceleration, in order to create a good horizontal pushing angle (the angle that is created on one side by the skate and on the other side by the direction of the movement).

3- “THE LITTLE DUCKS”
Aim: a) to obtain the correct body position during the initial acceleration (about 8-10 landing-pushes with no rolling), b) to maintain a constant forward inclination of the body axis, with no interruption of the “leg-thigh-trunk-head” line, c) to create a “V” position (extra-rotation) with the skate during the acceleration phase, d) to land with a sufficiently wide horizontal angle in order to create a good push forwards. The skate must land more forward each time.
Execution: make a 8 or 10 landings along a straight line as follows: 1) start with both skates on the ground and with the tips wide open, try to position the skates so that the line is exactly in the middle of the frame. The forward inclination of the body axis will make it possible to land always on the inside edge of the wheels (this is the necessary condition to push instantly right after the landing), 2) make the landings progressively longer. Initially do the exercise slowly, without rolling the wheels for 8-10 landings. Only after a correct execution you can repeat the exercise at the right speed. It is better to alternate 8 slow movement with 8 fast movement.
Common mistakes: 1) body axis is not properly inclined , 2) skates tips are not open wide and not kept even.

We have now finished the description of the in line skating fundamentals. Their knowledge and their correct execution will permit us to move on towards new teaching strategies, seeking better and well established technical performances.
The goal that every coach must try to reach is the “outstanding technique”, that is to reach a perfect coordination, a well established and upgraded technique, and an adequate adaptability. This means that in the very high level performances the athlete will be capable to handle all the strategic and tactical problems, keeping unaltered the ECONOMY OF THE ACTION.
In this last part I will present a sequence of exercises to be done following the execution schemes previously described, but always more closely related to situations during races. .

2 - PUSH AS STRONG AS YOU CAN
Aim: to be aware of the two basic movements in the acceleration phase: the change of body inclination in the direction of the desired movement, and the maximum extension and push on all the wheels of the leg on the ground ( in the following movement you can use the first wheel).
Execution: Do the exercise while leaning on the fence of the track, or on another horizontal bar, etc., 1) stand at a distance from the bar so that you can bend your body forward, 2) try to make a 90° “V” with the two skates, 3) incline forward by bending only your arms, 4) bend your legs without modifying your body position, 5) alternate now the extension-pushes of the right and left leg while remembering that the leg that is being called back must keep the knee high.
Common mistakes: 1) the axis of the body is not sufficiently inclined towards the front, 2) there is not continuity in “leg-thigh-trunk-head” line, 3) the pushing leg does not finish it’s movement completely and allows the other leg to raise it’s knee too soon, 4) the landing position erroneously does not come back to the initial “V”.

I hope that this brief description of a few helpful exercises can stimulate always more trainers in looking for various new ways to “ create the Champion”.
In the last 5 exercises we have described the desired aim to reach. The technical execution must be as close as possible to the description we have made in the past 4 articles. I also hope that I have been able to stimulate all readers, especially coaches, into reflecting on what I want to transmit. I think the this is the only way we can confront ideas, and together create a common standard that the whole worldwide technical community can recognize.
I also wish to remark that this didactic method is my own personal interpretation of in-line skating, even if it is the result of long time study and experience.
I would like to announce to all coaches and skating fans that my book “The Teaching of In-line Skating” (Knowledge, Mastering, Teaching basic techniques and high level techniques) has been published.
The book contains 530 pages and is subdivided in 10 subjects. All the technical fundamentals of our sport are treated. The last 2 subjects are 1) the methodology of teaching and 2) the presentation of 100 technical annotations (100 exercises that are subdivided by aims, with the indications for correct execution and the errors not to commit).
This permits to try and verify the efficiency of the teaching suggestion and the simplicity of teaching the techniques.
I would like to particularly thank Gaby and Dietner, Michaela and Daniel, Benno Zschàtzsch and Francesca Nastasi for the translations.
I also would like to give a sincere and friendly thanks to the German in-line skating Federation for the occasions offered to me by arranging meetings with the coaches.