Ever looked at a skateboarder nailing a trick and thought, “Damn, how can I do that?” Every trick, every flip, and every crazy slide begins with the basics. That’s what we’re diving into today—the tricks every beginner needs to know. This blog post isn’t just a “do this, do that” guide. It’s more than that. It’s your first step into skateboarding, showing you the path from a “total noob” to someone who can comfortably shred around the park, showing off those new tricks. Let’s get started!
What is a skateboarding trick?
A skateboarding trick is a maneuver performed on a skateboard while you are riding it. Skaters perform skateboarding tricks to showcase their skills, control, balance, and style. They range from basic to advanced, often involving jumps, spins, flips, slides, or grinds.
They are fundamental skills that every skateboarder needs to learn, enabling one to navigate and maneuver on a skateboard—just like learning to swim before diving into the deep waters of vert and transition skating.
Here’s why these beginner tricks are crucial:
- Set the foundation for advanced moves: Every kickflip or heelflip begins with mastering the ollie.
- Teach control and balance: Mastering skills like stopping with your back foot cultivate control over speed and direction.
- Breed confidence: It’s a game-changer once you drop in on a ramp. Your approach to skateboarding as a whole evolves, giving you the confidence to take on higher ramps and tougher tricks.
In short, these tricks make you more comfortable on your board, paving the way for you to venture into different styles—street, park, or even vert skating—like our man Andrew Reynolds!
Enjoi Whitey Panda Complete Skateboard
Enjoi Whitey Panda Complete Skateboard
What are the top skateboarding tricks every beginner skater should know?
Learning to skateboard can feel like stepping up to decrypt the Rosetta Stone, but fear not! The key to this cryptic language is starting with the basics. The following list will guide you through the top tricks that even a beginner can get to grips with, setting you up for a fun ride in the world of skateboarding. So, are you excited to begin your thrilling ride? If so, let’s dive in.
The ollie
The ollie is a fundamental skateboard trick where the rider and the skateboard leap into the air without using their hands. It’s the stepping stone to many other skateboard tricks. Below are simple steps to help you learn how to use Ollie:
- Stand with the back foot on the tail and the front foot in the middle of the skateboard.
- Jump up and down on the board to get used to the balance.
- Hit the skateboard’s tail down to lift the nose by shifting weight to your back foot.
- Quickly slide your front foot up the board to level it in the air as the tail hits the ground.
- Jump off your back foot and lift your knees to your chest to get the board higher in the air.
- Extend your legs, land your feet over the wheels, and bend your knees to absorb the impact.
- Practice regularly; start with small jumps and gradually go higher.
Back foot stop
What’s skateboarding without the adrenaline of speed? But knowing how to stop is as crucial as learning to go. So, learning to stop with your back foot quickly becomes second nature once we crack the code.
- Ride comfortably with your front foot over the front bolts and your back foot over the tail.
- Slowly lower your back foot towards the ground, keeping it slightly angled to create friction.
- Gently press the sole of your shoe against the ground.
- Gradually increase the pressure to avoid abrupt stops and losing balance.
- Keep your front foot on the board and your weight centered to maintain balance as the skateboard slows down.
- Continue applying pressure with your back foot until the skateboard has completely stopped.
Dropping in
Dropping in on a skateboard is a technique typically used at skateparks on ramps or bowls. It’s one of the basic skills, but it can be daunting for beginners due to the initial drop. Here are simplified steps to help you drop in safely:
- Begin with a smaller ramp before attempting larger ones.
- Place the tail of your skateboard on the coping (the metal pipe on top of the ramp) with the nose pointing downward.
- Stand on the tail of the board with your back foot while placing your front foot over the front bolts of the skateboard.
- Lean your body forward, pressing your weight on the front foot, to start moving down the ramp. Keep your weight on your front foot and your eyes looking forward.
- Don’t hesitate; commit fully to the drop. Keep your knees bent and your weight forward to prevent falling backward.
- Ride down the ramp with your knees slightly bent to absorb the impact. Maintain balance by keeping your weight centered over the board.
Dos and don’ts of beginner skateboarding tricks
Every venture comes with a set of unspoken rules and tricks of the trade. Here are some crucial dos and don’ts you need to keep in mind while learning these beginner skateboarding tricks:
| Dos | Don’ts |
|---|---|
| Practice the Ollie while moving | Don’ts |
| Use your back foot for stopping | Use your back foot to stop |
| Commit when dropping in | Don’t stay stationary after landing an Ollie a couple of times |
Additional beginner skateboarding tips
Aside from mastering the essential tricks, here are a few more tips to make your early skateboarding journey smoother:
- Invest time in understanding your board: Knowing how your board responds to your actions will help you pick up tricks faster.
- Wear the right gear: Ensure you’re well protected with a helmet and, if possible, knee and elbow pads while learning new tricks. Safety first, always!
- Have patience: Even legends like Bam Margera weren’t born taming the board. It takes time, so don’t rush it.
My honest skater-to-skater thought
Here’s a little nugget from my personal journey: when I started, I imagined myself picking up an Ollie over the weekend. Boy, was I wrong! It was awkward and hard, and at times, I was pretty sure the pavement had a personal grudge against me. This is precisely why they call skateboarding an extreme sport. It’s not just physically extreme, but also mentally!
Yet, the feeling when you first land an Ollie, finally stop smoothly without tumbling, or drop in without holding your breath is just indescribable! So stick around, fall, get up, and keep pushing. That’s the skate life! Remember, skateboarding, like Rome, isn’t built in a day. Embrace the journey, the learning curve, the falls, and the triumphs. It’s all worth it, I promise!
“Remember, skateboarding, like Rome, isn’t built in a day. Embrace the journey, the learning curve, the falls, and the triumphs. It’s all worth it, I promise!”
Advantages and disadvantages of mastering beginner skateboarding tricks
Skateboarding, like any other sport, comes packed with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Let’s spell them out:
Advantages of mastering beginner skateboarding tricks
These early tricks build up the momentum for your skating journey:
- Provides a solid foundation: These are the building blocks for every advanced trick you are likely to learn later.
- Boosts confidence: With each trick mastered, you see your progress, boosting your confidence.
- Enhances control and balance: This early practice helps enhance control over the board and maintain balance, preparing you for more complex rides.
Disadvantages of mastering beginner skateboarding tricks
However, let’s not overlook some challenges:
- Can feel repetitive: At times, repeated attempts to master these tricks might feel monotonous.
- Risk of injury: There’s always a risk of minor injuries during attempts.
- May foster overconfidence: Once mastered, some beginners may neglect safety measures and try to speed up their learning journey, risking potential harm.
It’s essential to weigh both sides and proceed with caution and patience. A casual trip to the park can turn into a skateboarding fail video quickly if you’re not careful or get overzealous too soon!
If you are a visual learner, check out the video below from YouTube.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
You’re probably brimming with questions related to the nitty-gritty of skateboarding. Here, we’ve rounded up some frequently asked questions to shed more light on skateboarding tricks tailored for beginners. Remember, no questions are silly when learning something new!
How long will it take to master these tricks?
As they say, “Rome wasn’t built in a day,” but with frequent practice and dedication, a beginner skateboarder can learn these tricks over a few weeks or months. The journey might be longer or shorter based on individual learning curves. If you’re interested, remember to get started with a strong mindset and a lot of perseverance!
Are skate parks required for practicing these tricks?
Not necessarily! While skate parks offer designed space to try all your tricks, these beginner tricks, such as Ollie, stopping with your back foot, and dropping in, can be practiced in any open, flat area. You only need a smooth surface, whether it’s your driveway or the local parking lot.
But remember, safety first! Make sure the place you practice is safe and free of traffic. You can check out this article on the craziest backyard skateparks for inspiration.
Does the type of skateboard matter when learning these tricks?
Absolutely! The type of skateboard you use can significantly impact your ability to learn and master new tricks. Beginners are often suggested to start with larger boards as they offer more stability. As you progress, you may find specific boards conducive to certain types of tricks.
Final thoughts
And there you have it—a cheat sheet to kickstart your journey into the world of skateboarding! Yes, starting can be hard, and the first few attempts might bring more falls than successful landings. But with each try, you’re inching closer to those smooth moves you’ve always eyed in skateboarding videos. Always remember that the journey matters as much as the destination.
Are you excited to try these tricks in your next skateboarding session? And did I cover everything you wanted to know? 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 mastering the art of skateboarding. Thanks for reading, and ride on!
Key takeaways
We’ve covered many of the first tricks every beginner skater should learn. Here are some key takeaways:
- The ollie is the cornerstone of most street skating tricks.
- Stopping with your back foot is critical for creating a safety net for controlled rides.
- Dropping in is your first big leap into conquering ramps and transitioning into more advanced tricks.
- Patience and persistence are key to mastering these tricks.
- Practicing safety measures is essential during the learning phase.
