Ever wondered just how to smoothly go from being a newbie skater to pulling off some seriously killer beginner skateboarding tricks? You need a solid foundation of the basics, a dash of patience, and a sprinkle of persistence. In this post, you’ll delve into the wizards’ trove and unravel the mysteries of skateboarding tricks that pack a punch but are not a handful for yankers. Consider this your reel book of easy beginner skateboard tricks, tailored to ramp up your skills, stay motivated, and keep you longing for more shred sessions.
What are the best beginner skateboard tricks to master?
Boasting a heady mix of adrenaline and artistry, skateboarding is an exhilarating journey from start to finish. As a beginner, learning a few basic tricks to build your confidence and get a feel for the sport is essential. This is your fast-track ticket to wicked tricks tailored for budding skateboard enthusiasts.
We’ve combed through them for you to find five killer entry-level skateboarding tricks, so you won’t break a sweat (well, not too much) while learning them!
Nose bleed or nose stall
The Nose Bleed, or Nose Stall, is what you’d call an obstacle-focused trick with a cool flipping twist. You’ll need a curb with an edge and a solid grasp of your skateboard controls.
- Approach the Ramp: Start by riding towards the ramp or obstacle at a moderate speed. Ensure you are comfortable with the approach and feel in control.
- Set up: As you near the top, shift your weight to the front foot and prepare to press down on the nose of your skateboard.
- Lift the back: As you reach the top edge, use your back foot to lift the skateboard’s tail while pressing down on the nose with your front foot.
- Stall: Press the nose of the board firmly down onto the top edge of the ramp or obstacle. This will cause the back wheels to come off the ramp, and you’ll briefly stall in this position.
- Re-entry: To come back down, lean slightly forward and use your back foot to guide the tail back onto the ramp. Remove your weight back to a more centered position to avoid tipping forward as you re-enter.
- Ride away: Once both wheels touch the ramp again, ride away smoothly and regain balance.
Why is this trick on the list? The Nose Bleed is a terrific trick to sink your new skater’s teeth into. It’s a neat combination of style and challenge without being too hard on your knees, as you’re just starting. Also, mastering this trick can be your golden ticket to more advanced slides and stalls!
Caveman
Imagine Tarzan meeting Tony Hawk, and you’ve got the Caveman. Fusing your skating and jumping skills, the Caveman involves holding your skateboard’s nose with your front hand, running a few steps, jumping, releasing, and landing. It sounds complex, but it’s actually a fairly effortless trick for beginners to pick up quickly.
- Hold the board: Begin by holding your skateboard in one hand with the grip tape facing towards you.
- Prepare to jump: Stand beside or slightly behind the spot you aim to land. Get into a comfortable stance, preparing to jump onto your skateboard.
- Toss and jump: As you jump, simultaneously toss the skateboard down (grip tape up) so it lands flat on the ground. It’s essential to ensure the board is under you and not too far ahead or behind.
- Land on the board: As the skateboard touches the ground, aim to land both feet onto the board, one near the tail and the other near the bolts of the front trucks. Bend your knees slightly upon landing to absorb the impact and maintain balance.
- Ride away: Once you’ve landed, regain your balance quickly and ride away smoothly.
What makes the Caveman so compelling for beginners is its versatility. This trick is your gateway to higher, tougher jumps and an excellent tool to build confidence as you progress your skateboarding journey.
Nose pick-up
The nose pick-up is an easy beginner trick that’s a surefire way to impress your friends. With this trick, you can remove your back foot while rolling, pop your skateboard with your front foot, and grab your deck. Simple in theory, clockwork in execution.
- Approach the transition: Begin by riding towards the ramp or transition with enough speed to reach the coping but not so much that you overshoot.
- Set up: As you ride up the transition, shift your weight towards the back foot, preparing to lift the back wheels off the ramp.
- Hook the nose: When you reach the coping, use your front foot to press down and hook the nose of your skateboard over the coping. Your back wheels should be off the ramp, and most of your weight will be on the nose of the board.
- Balance: Try to maintain a momentary balance. The key here is to keep most of your weight on the front foot, stabilizing yourself with your back foot and arms.
- Disengage and re-entry: To get back into the ramp, unhook the nose from the coping by shifting your weight back to a centered position and lifting the front of the board. Guide the board back into the transition with your feet.
- Ride away: As you re-enter the transition, bend your knees to absorb the drop and ride away smoothly.
Why’s this trick up our sleeve? It’s an excellent way to work on board control and foot placement. The nose pick-up, albeit with a splash of daring, can enhance your understanding of skateboard dynamics and iron out your technique. To master this trick, it’s all about timing, balance, and precision.
Ollie
The Ollie pick-up is an uncomplicated trick great for novices. It’s the perfect trick to get used to the ‘pop’ involved in more complex tricks later.
- Foot position: Place your back foot on the tail of the skateboard. It should be roughly perpendicular to the board’s direction. Position your front foot across the board, with the ball of your foot over or just behind the skateboard’s front bolts.
- Crouch down. Start by bending your knees and crouching down. Your arms can be out to your sides or in front of you for balance.
- Pop the tail: In a swift motion, push down on the tail with your back foot, causing the nose of the board to rise. This is the “pop” of the ollie.
- Slide your front foot: Almost simultaneously with the pop, drag the side of your front foot up the board towards the nose. This action helps level out the board in the air.
- Jump on the board. As you slide your front foot forward, your back foot should follow the board’s motion. Jump upwards, sucking your knees up toward your chest. This will give the board more clearance to rise.
- Level out: At the peak of your jump, your skateboard should be level in the air, parallel to the ground. This is achieved by combining the pop from your back foot and the slide of your front foot.
- Land safely: Begin extending your legs as you start to descend. Aim to land with both feet over the skateboard’s bolts, bending your knees upon impact to absorb the shock.
- Ride away: Keep your weight centered and ride away smoothly.
Why the Ollie pick-up? It’s your ticket to early mastery of the pop-up while using a combination of stability and speed. The Ollie pick-up act is a stepping stone trick’ that will set the stage for daunting tricks like grinds and flip tricks when you’re ready to take that leap!
Bomb drop or acid drop
Last but definitely not least, the bomb drop, sometimes known as the acid drop, can be your ticket to a thrilling skateboard ride. The trick here is to swing the board slightly before jumping.
- Position the board: Place your skateboard on the ground below the edge or platform you’re dropping from, with the tail towards you.
- Stand on the edge: Position yourself on the edge, holding the skateboard by the tail, with the wheels facing outwards.
- Look and commit: Ensure your landing area is clear. Mentally prepare and commit to the drop.
- Jump off: Push off slightly and jump forward, releasing the skateboard under your feet.
- Land on the board: Aim to get both feet onto the skateboard as you descend—front foot near the bolts, back foot on or near the tail.
- Bend your knees: Bend your knees to absorb the impact and maintain balance upon landing.
- Ride away: Keep your weight centered and continue your ride.
This trick is perfect for every beginner’s training arsenal. It’s a spectacular way to conquer any trepidation and confidently tackle the amazing world of skateboard tricks. Mastering the bomb drop can prepare you to learn more advanced tricks and truly embrace the adrenaline rush all skateboarders know and love!
Enjoi Whitey Panda Complete Skateboard
Enjoi Whitey Panda Complete Skateboard
Additional skateboarding tricks and tips
Every skate session shapes your journey, and some tips can help you reap the most from each skateboard trick.
- Start slow and steady. There’s no need to attempt a kickflip on your first day.
- Embrace falls. They’re part of the game. The trick is to learn how to fall right.
- Find a mentor or a supportive skate community.
- Maintain your skateboard regularly.
My experience with skateboarding
I am not Tony Hawk or Rob Dyrdek. Far from it, really. But that doesn’t stop me from having an absolute blast every time I step onto my skateboard. I remember the first time I tried the boneless trick. It felt unnatural—a bizarre skating and jumping mix that seemed sketchy. But I kept trying, falling, laughing, and trying again.
One fine day after a few more skating busts, bruises, and YouTube tutorials, I finally landed a proper, smooth-looking Boneless! That sense of achievement was a total Avengers Assemble realm; it felt insane!
“Every skate session shapes your journey, and some tips can help you reap the most from each skateboard trick. Skateboarding, in all its glory, is a blend of persistence, patience, and boldness.”
So my advice to all you Yankers is: don’t be disheartened if you don’t get these tricks right instantly. Skateboarding, in all its glory, is a blend of persistence, patience, and boldness. Enjoy every moment, every fall, and every triumph, because that’s what it’s all about. And remember, tips for buying a skateboard for an adult beginner contain some efficient guidelines for those trying to ace skateboarding!
If you are a visual learner, check out the video below from YouTube.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
There are numerous questions that you might find yourself seeking answers to. Let’s attempt to answer some mysteries you might want to unravel.
How important is learning the basics of riding before diving into tricks?
I cannot stress this enough—you must be comfortable riding a skateboard before you attempt any tricks. If you’re still wobbly while cruising, jumping into tricks might prove more harmful than beneficial. The basics of skateboarding, such as balance, steering, and stopping, form the foundation of all the tricks you’ll learn. Find great tips on our beginner’s guide for how to skateboard.
Is falling a part of learning skateboarding tricks?
Yes, indeed, it is. Falling is an inevitable part of the skateboarding journey. But don’t let this deter you. The idea is not to evade the falls but to learn to fall correctly in a way that minimizes injury.
Can older people still learn skateboarding tricks?
Absolutely, age is not a barrier to skateboarding. Many people start skateboarding well into their adult years and still savor it. The key is progressing at your own pace, keeping realistic expectations, and enjoying the process. For more insights, check out our article on whether you’re too old to learn skateboarding.
Final thoughts
With all said and done, skateboarding tricks do not come easy. They require commitment, patience, and a handful of falls. But believe me when I say this: The joy of landing a trick you’ve been practicing is well worth it. Are you ready to tackle these beginner-friendly tricks? How about creating some stories of your own on the skateboard? Let me know in the comments section below. I read and reply to every comment. If you found this article helpful, share it with a friend, and check out my full blog for more tips and tricks on skateboarding. Thanks for reading, and keep shredding!
Key takeaways
This article covered easy beginner skateboard tricks and their impact on your skateboarding journey. Here are some key takeaways:
- Mastering the basics of skateboarding is necessary before attempting any tricks.
- More complex maneuvers, like Nose Bleed and Caveman, can enhance your board control skills.
- It’s normal to spend a few weeks learning each trick.
- Skating tricks come with their own set of pros and cons. Be mindful of them to enjoy a safe and fun skateboarding experience.
