Master An Ollie On A Skateboard: Simple Steps

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Open up the secret to ollies on a skateboard! This guide breaks down the trick that changed skateboarding forever. Ready to jump?

Table of Contents

Have you ever watched someone on a skateboard seemingly float into the air, board magically stuck to their feet, and wondered, "How did they do that?". That, my friend, is the ollie. an ollie on a skateboard isn't just some fancy move; it is the bedrock of modern skateboarding. Before the ollie, skateboards mostly rolled on the ground. Think of it like crawling before you can walk, except in skateboarding, the ollie is like learning to fly.This trick, invented by Alan "Ollie" Gelfand in the late 1970s, opened up a whole new world of possibilities. Suddenly, skateboarders could jump over things, onto things, and generally make gravity their playground. Rodney Mullen later took it to the flat ground, making it even more accessible and revolutionary. Learning to ollie is like getting the keys to the skateboard kingdom. This article will break down what makes an ollie tick, how you can start doing them, and why this simple jump is such a big deal in skateboarding history. Get ready to pop, slide, and maybe even catch a little air.

Aspect

Description

Key Figure

Importance

Definition

A foundational skateboarding trick allowing the rider and board to jump into the air without using hands.

Alan "Ollie" Gelfand

The basis for most modern skateboarding tricks and aerial maneuvers.

Steps to Ollie

Crouch, pop the tail, slide front foot up the board, level the board, land with bent knees.

N/A

Understanding these steps is crucial for learning and improving the ollie.

History

Invented in 1977 by Alan Gelfand in pools/vertical sections, popularized and evolved for flat ground by Rodney Mullen.

Alan Gelfand, Rodney Mullen

Revolutionized skateboarding, moving it from horizontal to vertical and aerial possibilities.

Mastery

Requires consistent practice, focus on timing of pop and slide, and maintaining balance. Start on flat ground and progress gradually.

N/A

Essential for progression in skateboarding and opens doors to more complex tricks.

Understanding the Basics of an Ollie on a Skateboard

Understanding The Basics Of An Ollie On A Skateboard

Understanding The Basics Of An Ollie On A Skateboard

What in the World is an Ollie Anyway?

so you've heard about this thing called an ollie. Maybe you've seen skaters seemingly jump into the air, their boards magically stuck to their feet. It looks like they're defying gravity, right? Well, not really magic, but it is pretty darn cool. Like learning to grab your snowboard in mid-air, the ollie is that move for skateboarding. Basically, an ollie on a skateboard is how you make your board jump without using your hands. Imagine trying to jump but your skateboard is glued to your shoes – that's kinda what an ollie is all about. This trick was made famous by a dude named Alan "Ollie" Gelfand, and then another legend, Rodney Mullen, took it to the streets. So, yeah, it is a big deal.

The Secret Sauce: How Does an Ollie Actually Work?

Now, for the mind-blowing part: how does this jumpy thing actually happen? It all comes down to a bit of physics, but don't worry, it is not rocket science. Think of your skateboard like a seesaw for a second. When you push down hard on the tail (that's the back end of your board), it smacks the ground. This smack is key because it makes the board want to bounce up. Then, you slide your front foot up the board – sounds weird, I know – but this slide is like magic friction that pulls the board up higher. It's like rubbing a balloon on your hair to make it stick, but way cooler because you are doing it on a skateboard. And just like when you spin on a snowboard, timing and technique are everything.

StepbyStep Guide: Learning to Ollie on a Skateboard

Alright, so you're pumped to learn how to ollie? Awesome! It's like learning to ride a bike, but with more air and way more style. First things first, let's break it down into super easy steps. Think of it like building a sandwich – you gotta have all the right ingredients in the right order. We are going to start super slow, and don't worry if you don't get it right away. Nobody ollied like a pro on their first try. Even Tony Hawk probably wobbled a bit when he started.

From Basic to Beyond: Mastering Your Ollie on a Skateboard

From Basic To Beyond Mastering Your Ollie On A Skateboard

From Basic To Beyond Mastering Your Ollie On A Skateboard

So, you've gotten the hang of the basic ollie. You can pop that tail, slide your foot, and maybe even get a little air. That's awesome! But guess what? Just like in video games, there's always a next level. Think of the basic ollie as level one. Now it is time to strength up and see how high and far you can really go. It is like you have learned to dribble a basketball; now it's time to learn to dunk, or at least get closer to the hoop.

Making your ollie better is all about practice, but smart practice. It's not just about doing a million ollies. It's about doing them right, and then pushing yourself a little bit each time. Imagine you are trying to build a tower of blocks. If you just stack them any old way, it will probably fall over. But if you carefully place each block, making sure it's steady, you can build something really tall. Ollie practice is kind of like that. Each time you try, focus on one thing: maybe popping harder, or sliding your foot further, or leveling out your board in the air. Small tweaks can make a huge difference. Want to learn about another cool board trick? to add some style to your aerial moves, similar to how you can style out your ollies.

Once you are feeling comfy with your ollie on flat ground, it is time to start mixing things up. Try ollieing over cracks in the sidewalk. Then maybe try a stick, then a water bottle. Each time you ollie over something a bit bigger, it is like leveling up your character in a game. Suddenly, curbs do not look so scary anymore. They become launch ramps! And stairs? Well, stairs become a challenge, but a fun one. Think of it like going from riding your bike in the driveway to hitting the pump track. Everything gets a bit more exciting, and a bit more challenging. If you are into snow sports, you might find some similarities in learning snowboard slides and applying those balance skills to bigger ollies.

But here’s a secret: even the best skaters mess up ollies sometimes. You will land primo (that's when your board lands sideways on its edge, ouch!), you will slip, and maybe you will even fall. It's all part of learning. The trick is to not get frustrated. Think of each failed ollie as a lesson. Why did it not work? Did you not pop hard enough? Did you chicken out on the slide? Figure out what went wrong, dust yourself off, and try again. It’s like trying to – you might fall a few times, but when you land it, the feeling is amazing. And just like snowboarding, skateboarding is all about having fun and pushing yourself.

Ollie Level

Challenge

Pro Tip

Level 1: Flat Ground Ollie

Getting the basic motion down

Focus on the pop and slide timing.

Level 2: Ollieing over small objects

Building confidence and height

Start small and gradually increase object size.

Level 3: Curb Ollies

Applying ollies in street scenarios

Approach with speed and commit to the pop.

Level 4: Stair Set Ollies

Advanced height and distance

Master curb ollies first, and scope your landing.

So, keep practicing, keep pushing, and most importantly, keep having fun. The ollie is your ticket to doing a million other cool tricks on a skateboard. And who knows, maybe one day you will invent the next big skateboarding move, all thanks to mastering that little jump. Just remember, every awesome skater started with a wobbly, maybe not-so-high ollie. You are on your way. Now go skate!

Rolling into the Sunset with Your Ollie

So, there you have it. The ollie on a skateboard, from a seemingly impossible leap to a totally achievable trick with a bit of practice and patience. It might feel awkward at first, like trying to pat your head and rub your stomach, but stick with it. Remember, even the pros started somewhere, probably wobbling around and looking a bit silly. The ollie isn't just about jumping; it is about unlocking a new dimension of skateboarding. Once you have got your ollie down, the skatepark transforms into your personal playground. Curbs become launchpads, stairs turn into gaps, and the possibilities? Well, they are pretty much endless. Now, get out there, find some flat ground, and start popping. Your skateboard, and your street cred, will thank you.