3 Tricks for Beginner Skateboarders
If you are just starting out on a skateboard, then you will want to try out these three tricks for beginner skateboarders. Skateboarding has been an American past time since the 1980’s. While boarding is a useful way to get around faster, it’s larger appeal lies in the tricks that you can do with it. Professionals are able to get tons of air and pull off insane tricks which are often featured on ESPN. They all had to start somewhere, and it’s likely the started off with some simple tricks like these.
The Ollie
Perhaps the most essential trick to learn when attempting to improve your skateboarding skills is the Ollie. This simple trick involves hopping the skateboard into the air while still maintaining your balance on top of it. Once mastered, this trick can easily transition into a multitude of other tricks, as the basic technique behind an Ollie is similar amongst most flip tricks. Here is a great way to learn how to Ollie. First, place your back foot at the tail of the board and your front foot towards the middle. The first motion when attempting to Ollie is to quickly put all of your weight onto your back foot and the tail of the board. Now, kick the tail onto the ground and leap off with your back foot. While doing this, make sure to slide the front foot to the nose of the board. If you keep your feet dragging against the body of the board, it will seem to follow your feet. Now simply land with your weight even across the board.
The Manual
The manual is perhaps the easiest and simplest trick in skateboarding. Like most tricks, it is easy to learn but difficult to master. The concept behind the manual is simple; when skating along you put a large amount of weight on the tail so the nose of the board extends into the air while you’re still being propelled forward. It is an easy trick to learn, as you are not removing your feet from the board at all. Initial attempts will likely result in the board quickly coming to a stop as the tail is being thrust down into the ground. Sufficient practice will result in the rider being able to balance the board on the back wheels without the tail rubbing against the ground. This will allow your board to go further while in the manual position.
The Kickflip
The first entry a novice skateboarder might have into more complex tricks is the kickflip. It will most certainly take a lot of practice to master, but once perfected it is a great trick. Start by putting your back foot in the Ollie position. Make sure to put your foot around the edge of the board. Next put your front foot two or three inches back the front bolts of your board. The motion should be feeling quite similar to an Ollie. Kick down with your back foot and guide your front foot up the board, but this time continue upwards on the board until your toe gets to the corner of the nose. You’ll then want to flick the board with just your foot. When done correctly, the board will do a barrel roll and you’ll be able to land back on the board.
