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Want to learn some simple skateboard tricks? Awesome! Skateboarding is a blast, but let's be real, getting started can feel like trying to solve a Rubik's Cube while riding a unicycle. That's why we're breaking down the essential tricks that will get you rolling (and maybe even impressing your friends) in no time. This isn't about landing a 900 on day one. It's about building a solid foundation, learning the fundamentals, and having a ton of fun along the way. We'll cover everything from the basic stance and pushing techniques to ollies, shuv-its, and more. Ready to ditch the awkward wobbles and start nailing some sweet moves? Keep reading!
Mastering the Basics: Essential Simple Skateboard Tricks for Beginners
Finding Your Stance and Pushing
first things first: you gotta figure out which way you naturally stand on the board. This is your stance – either regular (left foot forward) or goofy (right foot forward). Don't overthink it. Just imagine you're sliding on ice. Which foot would you put forward to feel most stable? That's probably your stance.
Once you've got your stance sorted, it's time to learn how to push. Place your front foot just behind the front bolts, angled slightly. Use your back foot to push off the ground, keeping your weight balanced over the board. Practice pushing with smooth, controlled movements. The key is to keep your balance and avoid wobbling all over the place.
Pro tip: Bend your knees! It lowers your center of gravity and makes you way more stable. Think of it like being a little ninja on wheels.
The Stationary Ollie: Building Air From the Ground Up
Before you start trying to ollie while moving, get comfortable with the motion while standing still. Place your back foot on the tail of the board and your front foot just behind the front bolts. Now, "pop" the tail by snapping your back foot down hard. At the same time, slide your front foot up towards the nose of the board.
This sliding motion is crucial. It levels out the board in the air. Think of it like wiping something off the front of your shoe. It's not just about jumping; it's about coordinating the pop and the slide. Practice this motion over and over until it becomes second nature.
Don't worry if you don't get much air at first. The stationary ollie is all about learning the proper technique. Once you've got the motion down, you can start working on adding height.
The Rolling Ollie: Taking Your Ollie to the Streets
Now for the fun part: taking your ollie on the road (or sidewalk, or skatepark). Start by rolling slowly. You don't need to be going fast; in fact, it's better to start slow and focus on control. Position your feet just like you did for the stationary ollie.
Pop the tail, slide your front foot, and jump! The key is to keep your shoulders aligned with the board. If you lean too far forward or backward, you'll lose your balance. Try to land with your feet over the bolts to avoid snapping your board.
It's going to take practice, so don't get discouraged if you don't land it right away. Keep practicing and you'll be ollieing over cracks and obstacles in no time.
Trick | Description | Tips |
|---|---|---|
Finding Your Stance | Determining your natural foot placement on the board | Imagine sliding on ice; whichever foot feels most stable forward is likely your stance. |
Pushing | Propelling yourself forward while maintaining balance | Bend your knees, keep your weight centered, and push with smooth, controlled movements. |
Stationary Ollie | Learning the ollie motion while standing still | Focus on the pop and slide, coordinating the back foot snap with the front foot slide. |
Rolling Ollie | Performing the ollie while in motion | Keep your shoulders aligned with the board and land with your feet over the bolts. |
Level Up: Intermediate Simple Skateboard Tricks to Expand Your Repertoire
Alright, so you've mastered the basics, huh? You're ollieing over cracks, pushing with confidence, and feeling pretty good about your board. Now it's time to crank things up a notch. These simple skateboard tricks will add some flair to your repertoire and open up a whole new world of possibilities.
First up: the shuv-it. This trick involves spinning the board 180 degrees underneath you while you stay in the same spot. Sounds tricky, right? It takes some coordination, but with practice, you'll be shuv-itting like a pro. Start by placing your feet in a comfortable ollie position. Then, scoop the tail of the board with your back foot, causing it to spin. Jump slightly and let the board rotate beneath you. Land with your feet back on the board and roll away.
Next, let's talk about the pop shuv-it. Similar to the shuv-it, but this time you're adding a pop. This gives you more air and allows you to clear obstacles. Pop the tail like you're doing an ollie, but instead of sliding your front foot, scoop the tail with your back foot to make the board spin. Jump and land back on the board.
Finally, there's the frontside 180. This trick involves rotating your body and the board 180 degrees in the frontside direction (towards your chest). Start by rolling at a comfortable speed. Initiate a small ollie and turn your shoulders in the direction you want to rotate. The board will follow your body. Land with your feet back on the board and continue rolling.
- Shuv-it: Spin the board 180 degrees underneath you.
- Pop Shuv-it: Shuv-it with a pop for added air.
- Frontside 180: Rotate your body and the board 180 degrees frontside.
Simple Skateboard Tricks: Safety Gear and Practices for Injury Prevention
so you're ripping it up, learning new simple skateboard tricks, and feeling like a total boss. But let's not forget the unglamorous side of skateboarding: safety. I know, I know, it's not as cool as landing a perfect kickflip, but trust me, it's way cooler than ending up in the emergency room.
First and foremost: wear a helmet. I don't care if you think it looks dorky, or if your favorite pro skater doesn't wear one. Your brain is precious, and a helmet is the best way to protect it. Get one that fits snugly and meets safety standards. And replace it if you take a hard fall.
Next up: pads. Knee pads, elbow pads, wrist guards – the whole shebang. These will protect your joints from scrapes, bruises, and even fractures. Especially when you're learning new tricks, you're going to fall. A lot. Pads will make those falls a whole lot less painful.
Beyond gear, think about where you're skating. A smooth, flat surface is ideal for learning. Avoid busy streets, areas with a lot of traffic, or places where you might collide with pedestrians. And always be aware of your surroundings.
Finally, listen to your body. If you're feeling tired, sore, or just not "on" your game, take a break. Skateboarding is physically demanding, and pushing yourself too hard can lead to injuries. Rest, stretch, and hydrate. Your body will thank you for it.
- Helmet: Protect your brain. No excuses.
- Pads: Knee pads, elbow pads, wrist guards. Cover your joints.
- Safe Spot: Smooth, flat surface away from traffic and pedestrians.
- Listen to Your Body: Rest when you need to. Don't push yourself too hard.
Troubleshooting Simple Skateboard Tricks: Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them
Problem: Board Shoots Out in Front of You on Ollies
So, you're trying to ollie, but your board keeps shooting out in front of you like it's trying to escape. Frustrating, right? This is a super common problem, and it usually comes down to one of two things: either you're leaning back too much, or you're not sliding your front foot up the board enough.
Think about it: if you lean back, your weight is behind the board, which naturally causes it to move forward. Instead, try to keep your weight centered over the board. And focus on that front foot slide! That motion is what levels out the board and keeps it under your feet. Practice the stationary ollie again, really focusing on the slide. You can even practice just the slide motion by itself, without popping the tail. Once you get that feeling of the board sticking to your front foot, you'll be well on your way to landing those ollies.
Problem: Can't Seem to Land Shuv-its Cleanly
Shuv-its can be tricky because they require a lot of coordination. One of the biggest mistakes people make is not jumping high enough. You need to give the board enough space to rotate fully underneath you. Another common issue is not keeping your shoulders aligned with the board. If your shoulders rotate too much, you'll throw off your balance and end up landing off to the side.
Focus on popping the tail slightly to give yourself some air. And try to keep your shoulders square with the direction you're rolling. You can also practice the shuv-it motion without jumping, just to get a feel for how the board rotates. Once you're comfortable with the rotation, add the jump back in. Remember, practice makes perfect! Keep at it, and you'll be shuv-itting like a pro in no time.
Problem | Possible Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
Board shoots out on ollies | Leaning back, not sliding front foot | Center weight, focus on front foot slide |
Can't land shuv-its cleanly | Not jumping high enough, shoulders misaligned | Pop tail, keep shoulders square, practice rotation |
Keep Rolling!
So, there you have it. A starting point for learning simple skateboard tricks. Remember, skateboarding is a process, not a race. Don't get discouraged if you don't nail every trick on your first try. The key is to keep practicing, stay safe, and most importantly, have fun. Grab your board, find a smooth spot, and start rolling. You might just surprise yourself with what you can achieve. And who knows, maybe one day you'll be the one inspiring the next generation of skateboarders.