Before You Begin: Setting the Foundation for Success
Have you ever watched skateboarders effortlessly glide across the concrete, performing gravity-defying feats with a flick of their wrist and a hop of their board? The thrill of skateboarding is undeniable, and at the heart of it all lie the skate tricks. These aren’t just about looking cool; they represent a journey of skill, creativity, and self-expression. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to level up your game, this guide will equip you with the knowledge you need to embark on your own skateboarding adventure, focusing on the fundamental skate tricks and providing tips to accelerate your progress. Get ready to experience the unparalleled satisfaction of landing that first trick!
Before you even think about flipping your board or grinding a rail, there are a few essential things you need to know. This section will cover the basics to ensure you’re safe, comfortable, and well-prepared for your skate tricks journey.
First and foremost, safety is paramount. Investing in the right gear is the best decision you can make. That means a properly fitting helmet is a non-negotiable piece of equipment. Protecting your head from impact is critical. Knee pads, elbow pads, and wrist guards are also highly recommended, especially as you’re learning. These will cushion falls and prevent minor injuries from derailing your progress.
Next, you’ll need a skateboard. Choosing the right one is vital, especially for beginners. You have options, but for learning skate tricks, a street or park setup is usually the best choice. This typically involves a deck made of sturdy wood, like maple. Deck sizes vary based on your height and foot size, so try a few to see what feels comfortable. The trucks, wheels, and bearings are essential components that allow you to steer, roll, and maneuver. While there’s a lot to learn about these parts, understanding their basic function is helpful. Trucks connect the wheels to the deck, wheels provide the rolling surface, and bearings allow the wheels to spin freely. A good shop assistant can help you choose the right components for your level.
Once you’ve got your board, the next step is finding your stance. Most people naturally prefer either a regular or goofy stance. Regular means you ride with your left foot forward, while goofy means your right foot is in front. To determine your stance, have someone gently push you from behind. The foot you instinctively put forward to regain your balance is usually your dominant foot. Experiment with both stances; it’s crucial to ride in whichever feels most comfortable and natural. This will directly impact your ability to learn skate tricks.
Before attempting any tricks, master the basics. You need to feel comfortable pushing and riding, turning smoothly, and knowing how to stop. Practice pushing off with your foot, gliding, and using your back foot to steer. Practice turning, and get comfortable with turning on your heel or toeside. Learn how to stop using foot braking. Developing balance and control on your board are paramount before attempting complex skate tricks.
The Building Blocks: Mastering Beginner Skate Tricks
Now, let’s get to the fun part: learning skate tricks! We’ll begin with three fundamental tricks that form the foundation for more advanced moves. These tricks will build your confidence and provide you with the skills necessary to start your skateboarding journey.
Let’s begin with the ollie. It is considered the cornerstone of almost every other skate trick in skateboarding. Essentially, an ollie is how you get your board airborne. To execute an ollie:
Foot Placement
Position your back foot on the tail of the board, with your toes extending slightly over the edge. Place your front foot just behind the front bolts of the board, angled slightly.
Bend Your Knees
Crouch down, keeping your back straight and your eyes focused forward. The lower you get, the higher your ollie will be.
The Pop
Quickly snap your back foot down on the tail of the board, as if you’re stomping on something. This sends the tail slamming down onto the ground, causing the board to lift.
Slide Your Front Foot
As the tail hits the ground, slide your front foot up the board towards the nose. This leveling action is crucial for getting the board off the ground.
Level Out
As your front foot reaches the nose, level the board. This keeps the board parallel to the ground.
Land and Roll Away
Land on both feet at the same time, keeping your knees bent to absorb the impact. Roll away smoothly.
Common mistakes often occur when trying the ollie: not popping hard enough, not sliding the front foot high enough, and leaning back during the trick. Practice these steps repeatedly, and adjust your technique. Practice the movement on the grass first, then apply the steps to the concrete. Consistent practice is key.
Next, we move on to the kickflip. The kickflip builds upon the ollie, and it is a signature trick in skateboarding. Here’s how it’s done:
The Ollie is the Foundation
Make sure you are comfortable and confident with your ollie.
Foot Placement
The foot placement is almost identical to the ollie, with the front foot slightly angled towards the nose, but not as extreme.
The Pop
The pop is the same as the ollie – stomp the tail down.
The Flick
As you jump and start to slide your front foot up the board, flick your ankle outwards, over the side of the board, towards the nose. This creates the spinning motion that makes the board flip.
The Catch and Land
Try to catch the board in mid-air. Keep your eyes fixed on the board. Prepare yourself to land. Land on the bolts with your knees bent.
Landing is the most difficult part. Make sure you land with your feet above the bolts. If you are catching it at the bolts, it may take time to get your timing down.
Common mistakes that often occur are not flicking the foot hard enough, not jumping high enough, and being scared to land.
The pop shove-it. This is another excellent beginner trick. It is done on the ground and can be practiced at any time. It does not require you to do an ollie, but it will help with balance and control.
Foot Placement
Place your back foot just behind the tail, and your front foot slightly behind the front bolts, slightly angled.
The Scoop
With your back foot on the tail, scoop the tail downwards and backwards, as if you are pushing a broom across the ground. This will make the board spin 180 degrees.
The Catch
The scoop will cause the board to spin. Keep your eyes on the board, as you will need to catch the board to have a successful trick.
Land and Roll Away
Land on the bolts with your knees bent. Roll away smoothly.
Common mistakes here include scooping the board too hard, which will cause it to spin more than 180 degrees, or not enough. Keep practicing and adjusting.
With these three beginner skate tricks under your belt, you’ll be well on your way to mastering the sport and its fundamentals.
Intermediate Level Tricks: Taking Your Skateboarding to the Next Level
Once you’ve gained confidence with the beginner tricks, you’re ready to explore more advanced maneuvers. Remember, the most important element of progression is perseverance, so be sure to have fun along the way! These tricks build upon the foundation you’ve established and will open the door to even more exciting possibilities.
First, you can try to learn the Heelflip.
The Ollie is the Foundation
Make sure you are comfortable and confident with your ollie.
Foot Placement
Similar to a Kickflip, but with the front foot angled towards the nose.
The Pop
The pop is the same as the ollie – stomp the tail down.
The Flick
Flick with your heel off the board towards the ground.
The Catch and Land
Try to catch the board in mid-air. Keep your eyes fixed on the board. Prepare yourself to land. Land on the bolts with your knees bent.
The shove-it and 180 tricks are also great to add to your repertoire of skate tricks.
A few of the other skate tricks to learn on the ground are the 50-50 grinds. Grinds on the board are where the board connects with the rail, and the user grinds the deck over the rail or the surface. It’s a combination of balance, precision, and confidence.
Get to the Rail
Approach the rail with a good amount of speed. Practice riding the board. Approach the rail at an angle, so you are in place.
Ollie to the Rail
Ollie onto the rail, making sure to land with your trucks square on top of the rail.
Maintain Balance
Balance is key. You want to remain on the rail by keeping a low center of gravity and bending your knees.
Roll Away
Land and roll away smoothly. Practice on grass and slowly move on to concrete surfaces.
Tips for Maximizing Your Skate Trick Learning Journey
Learning skate tricks is a process that involves a combination of technique, dedication, and strategy.
Consistency is essential. Aim to skate regularly, even if it’s just for short sessions. The more time you spend on your board, the more comfortable you’ll become.
Don’t try to rush the process. Break down complex tricks into smaller steps. Master each individual component before attempting the entire trick.
Filming yourself is incredibly beneficial. Record your sessions, and watch the footage. You’ll be able to identify what you’re doing right and where you can improve your technique.
The choice of a skate spot is critical to your progress. Look for smooth, flat surfaces, and try to find practice areas with minimal distractions.
Find a community of like-minded people to skate with. Learn from more experienced skaters, and get inspired. A supportive environment can make all the difference.
Patience is a virtue in skateboarding. Don’t get discouraged by setbacks. Progress takes time and effort.
Before each skate session, warm up. Stretching and light exercises will help prevent injuries and increase your flexibility.
Learn to fall correctly. Bend your knees, roll with the impact, and try to spread the force of the fall across your body.
Utilize online resources like YouTube tutorials. There are countless videos available that demonstrate specific tricks and provide valuable tips.
Navigating Common Mistakes and Pitfalls
Many common mistakes can hinder your progress. Identifying and avoiding these pitfalls will help you learn skate tricks more efficiently and safely.
Don’t rush the process. It is essential to master the basics before moving on to more advanced tricks. Patience is critical!
Never neglect safety gear. Always wear a helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, and wrist guards.
Look where you’re going. Keep your eyes focused on the spot you want to go to.
Perseverance will get you far. Falling is a part of the process. Try, fail, and try again.
Don’t neglect the technique of the tricks. Each trick has a specific form. Learn the proper form and apply it to the tricks you are learning.
Conclusion: The Journey Continues
Learning skate tricks is a rewarding journey filled with challenge, creativity, and a sense of accomplishment. You are embarking on an exciting adventure, and you should be proud to know you are learning a trick.
By mastering the skate tricks discussed here, embracing the provided tips, and avoiding the common pitfalls, you’ll be well on your way to achieving your skateboarding goals. The most important ingredient to add is enthusiasm.
Now, get out there and start practicing. Embrace the ride, and let the world become your skate park.
