HOW LONG SHOULD I WAIT TO SKATE AFTER I ROLL MY ANKLE?

Posted on 15 April 2025
By George Stix
Posted in rollankle
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Rolling Your Ankle: How Long Should You Wait Before Getting Back on the Board?

An ankle roll is one of the most common—and frustrating—injuries in skateboarding. Whether it’s a misstep on a stair set or an awkward land on a trick gone sideways, the result is usually the same: pain, swelling, and time off the board. But how long should you actually wait before skating again?

1. What Happens During a Roll?

A rolled ankle typically results in a sprain, where the ligaments that support the joint are overstretched or torn. Most of the time it’s the lateral ligaments on the outside of the ankle that get damaged during an inward twist. Sprains are graded:

Grade I: Light stretch or microtears
Grade II: Partial tear, swelling, and bruising
Grade III: Full tear, intense pain, and major instability

2. Recovery Times: It Depends on the Severity

Average healing timelines:

Grade I: 1–2 weeks
Grade II: 3–6 weeks
Grade III: 2–3 months or more
But healing isn’t just about the calendar—factors like age, treatment, and previous injuries matter. For younger skaters, the ligaments may heal faster, but that doesn't mean they're automatically good to go.

3. First 72 Hours: R.I.C.E. It

Right after the injury, use the R.I.C.E. method: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation. Ice it 15–20 minutes every few hours and avoid walking unless necessary. For kids, make sure they’re actually following this—young skaters are often quick to hide pain to get back out there.

4. For Parents: Spot the Real Damage

It’s not always obvious when a kid’s injury is serious. Watch for limping, favoring one foot, or visible swelling or bruising. If your child is wincing during everyday movements or hiding their foot, it’s worth getting it checked by a doctor or physical therapist. Don’t let them tough it out if they can’t even walk pain-free.

5. What to Avoid Early On

No skating, no running, and definitely no jumping. Even pushing around can make things worse if the joint isn’t stable. This applies especially to younger skaters who may downplay the pain just to rejoin the session.

6. Pain-Free Range of Motion Comes First

Before skating resumes, your ankle needs to move in all directions without pain. For kids, turn this into a game—draw the alphabet with their toes, or have them try to balance on one foot for 30 seconds. These are good markers for basic recovery progress.

7. Start with Controlled Movement

For both adults and kids, light stretching and ankle mobility drills can usually begin a few days after the injury—if the pain has gone down and there’s no fresh swelling. Avoid anything weight-bearing until walking feels natural.

8. Physical Therapy at Home

You don’t need a fancy clinic. Resistance band exercises, balance work (standing on one leg), and calf raises can be done at home. For younger skaters, make rehab fun—use balance pads, or challenge them to “ninja” walks to improve foot control.

9. Skating Again: Flat Only

You shouldn’t skate again until the ankle can handle basic walking, squatting, and jumping with no pain or stiffness. First day back? Stick to rolling around and maybe soft flatground tricks—no ledges, stairs, or transitions. For kids, try supervised, low-impact sessions to rebuild comfort without risk.

10. Use Ankle Braces or Tape

Especially for skaters coming back early—or those with a history of rolling—braces and tape can offer huge support. For younger skaters, a lace-up brace is easier than tape and more consistent.

11. Don’t Trust “It Doesn’t Hurt” Alone

Pain often fades before the ankle is fully stable. For both adults and kids, test things like hopping on one foot or balancing with eyes closed before assuming you’re 100% good to go.

12. Avoid the Repeat Injury Trap

Coming back too soon increases the chance of rolling it again—and each repeat injury is worse than the last. Chronic ankle instability is no joke. For parents: don’t just listen when your kid says “I’m fine.” Watch how they move. Look for signs of weakness.

13. Confidence Takes Time

Mentally, skating after an injury is tough. For kids, fear of falling again can sneak in. Make sure the environment is positive and low-stress. Let them cruise around before trying tricks again. Build confidence with small wins.

14. Strengthen to Prevent

Ankle injuries don’t have to become a cycle. Keep up the ankle strengthening even after recovery—especially for growing kids whose joints are still developing. Things like agility ladders, jump rope, and stability pads are great cross-training.

15. Long-Term Thinking

For skaters young and old, the real win is longevity. Don’t rush back into skating just to blow it again next week. Let the ankle fully recover, ease back in with low-impact sessions, and keep strengthening. Skating smart now keeps you on the board later.

Stix SGV has proudly served the San Gabriel Valley skateboarding community since the late ‘90s. With three locations across Los Angeles County, we’ve been deeply rooted in the local scene. Our Monrovia shop has been a staple since 1997, followed by our Claremont location in 2014, and our South Pasadena shop opening its doors in 2022. Our mission has always been simple: to uphold skateboarding culture and stay true to our community.