Lacing up skates question

[Disaster]

Hi. I've been having a problem with lacing up my skates. It seems that when I try and do it, its too lose and when someone else does it, its too tight and hurts when I try and bend my ankles to move in certain directions.
Can you give me advice as to how to lace them properly or any methods you use that help you personally? Anything would be great. Thanks.

P.S.
I've just gotten into Inline Hockey not too long ago so forgive me for the stupid question.

[Alvare71]

well disaster, you want it tight enough so your ankle does not move. Try wearing thicker socks or having your skate baked if it can be. The problem with white laces is that they do not hold, when you pull up on them. I suggest you go with wax laces they will stay whe you pull on them. When you are new to this sport you came to the right site, everyone is cool, so don't be afraid to ask questions...someone will answer you.

Do you smell what the rock is cookin?

[DannyG]

Get somebody to show you how to "back lace" your skate laces...

This is putting the laces in "top-through-to-bottom" through each eyehole, rather than the usual "bottom-through-to-top."

I realize that is a rather vague description, but that's it, so that's why I suggest you find somebody local to you that is familiar with the term and concept.

What this does is allow the flap on the "upper" of the skate boot to grip down on the skate as the laces are pulled. This enables you to self tighten the skates to a point of tightness without sacrificing comfort, and they don't loosen up as readily while playing.

Wax laces are okay, but they take a back seat to those of us that back lace 'em...

incidentally, you will get better at lacing your skates...osmotically if no way else...

Lace 'em as tight as you can, then skate for about three minutes. The sit down and pull 'em "ten times tighter." I know, you pulled 'em "really tight" when you first put 'em on, how can you possibly do them any tighter? Believe me you can, and it works.

My skating coach, a ba-jillion years ago, taught me that, and he made me promise I would pass it on whenever asked...

...so there you are.

<font color=purple>DannyG</font color=purple>

[ChiMagic19]

I do what I call the "over-under" lacing method. I start by lacing the first holes from the outside so that the lace is "over" the ridges along the tongue. Then I lace the next set of eyelets from the inside of the eyelet so that the lace is "under" the ridges along the tongue. I keep alternating like this until I get up to the last 3 holes, then lace them regularly. Doing it this way keeps your laces tight even after you let them go, which is a nice feature to have. Not sure if this is the same thing DannyG said, but figured I would throw it out there.

[WestSide]

Adjust as you go. New skates, new laces (which are woven strands of string that stretch as well and need adjustment). If you are coming from Ice hockey you may find that having your skates the same may not be right. A little more ankle freedom may be desireable and therefore leaving the top eyelet open may be a test you want to try.

Mike Jones

[SirCoach2U]

Are you skates new? How old are you? The reason I ask you age is because you said "someone else laces your skates". You really should be doing this yourself. How can anyone else determine what is the right "tightness".