Beginner roller skating
The Bend Is What Jumps You, Not the Push
One and two: one, you bend; two, you push. The push takes all the credit and the bend does the work, because without rhythm in the flexion there is nothing for the extension to release. Add your arms and it doubles — they swing back as you bend and come forward as you push. Then land on both skates and set up the next one. Quad technique, from Najete Kada, a French champion in artistic roller skating.
One and two. One, you bend. Two, you push. The push takes all the credit and the bend does the work, which is why so many first jumps go nowhere: the skater concentrates hard on the half that is only the release.
A bend without rhythm gives the extension nothing to let go of. So the flexion is not a preparation you get through in order to arrive at the interesting part — it is where the jump is stored, and it should feel like it has some spring in it.
The arms double the effect and cost nothing to add. They swing back as you bend and come forward as you push. Bend with the arms behind, push with the arms in front, and the same legs will take you noticeably higher.
Then land on both skates and take the landing seriously, because a jump you cannot receive cleanly is a jump you will stop trying. Balance across both feet, knees soft, and immediately set up the next one. Quad technique, from Najete Kada's Tuto roller series. She teaches quad skating and skates it herself; nothing on this page is a claim about inline skates.
Keep going: this is one section of the full Roller Skating for Beginners guide — sizing, gear, stopping, and where to skate, in one page.