Have you ever watched a skateboarder effortlessly switch between their regular stance and riding fakie, and wondered how they make it look so easy? Riding fakie and switch is an essential skill set for any skateboarder looking to enhance their versatility and style on the board. Whether you’re a beginner or have been skating for years, improving your ability to ride fakie and switch can open up a whole new realm of tricks and possibilities.
Understanding Fakie and Switch
Before you dive into techniques and exercises, it’s important to have a clear understanding of what riding fakie and switch actually mean. This foundation will guide your practice and help you tailor your development in skateboarding.
What is Fakie?
Fakie stance involves riding backward, facing the direction from which you came. Imagine that you’re rolling in reverse; however, your body’s orientation is the same as your regular riding stance. It is often compared to the motion of reversing in a car while still facing forward. Fakie forms the basis for a variety of tricks and is an essential part of becoming a well-rounded skateboarder.
What is Switch?
Switch stance, on the other hand, is when you ride with your non-preferred foot forward. It’s like riding with a mirrored version of your regular stance, similar to being left-handed and attempting to write with your right hand. Riding switch can feel awkward at first, but mastering it greatly enhances your skill set, as many tricks and maneuvers expand from a switch position.
Both fakie and switch require a good level of balance, coordination, and practice. As you progress, these skills will enable you to incorporate more complex tricks into your skating repertoire.
Preparing to Ride Fakie and Switch
Before you even step on your board to practice fakie and switch, there are several preparatory steps that can help you get comfortable with the concepts.
Get Comfortable Riding Regular
To succeed in riding fakie or switch, you should feel comfortable and confident riding in your regular stance. This means being proficient in balancing, turning, and executing basic tricks. Your regular stance is your foundation, and mastering it will make learning fakie and switch much smoother.
Develop Core Strength
Riding fakie and switch relies heavily on your core muscles for balance and stability. Incorporate core-strengthening exercises into your routine, such as planks, sit-ups, and lower back exercises. A strong core will make it easier to maintain balance when you’re on your board.
Improve Flexibility
Flexibility contributes to balance and helps you recover from awkward positions, which are likely to occur as you practice new stances. Regular stretching, particularly focused on your legs, hips, and lower back, can be beneficial. Yoga or pilates practices are excellent options to increase flexibility and control.
Steps to Riding Fakie
Now that you’ve prepared yourself off the board, it’s time to start practicing fakie riding. Moving into fakie can initially feel counterintuitive, but these tips and exercises will guide you through the process.
Start on Flat Ground
Begin learning fakie on a flat, smooth surface where you won’t be distracted by slopes or obstacles. Push off with your front foot, but this time focus on the sensation of rolling backward. Keep your center of gravity low and knees slightly bent for stability.
Keep Your Shoulders Aligned
Maintaining shoulder alignment with the direction you’re rolling is crucial for balance. Your shoulders should be square to the board and aligned over your hips, helping you stay balanced while moving backward.
Practice Regularly
Just like any new skill, riding fakie requires regular practice. Consistency will help your body become familiar with the sensation of rolling fakie. Each day, try to set some time aside to focus solely on practicing this stance until it starts to feel natural.
Experiment with Fakie Tricks
Once you’re comfortable with simply riding fakie, try incorporating some basic tricks. Start with simple movements like the fakie ollie. The more you experiment, the more confident you’ll become, further broadening your skill set.
Steps to Riding Switch
Riding switch can be more challenging than fakie due to the need to use your non-dominant foot. However, with patience and the right techniques, you can become proficient in switch stance as well.
Transition from Regular to Switch
To begin learning switch, start by practicing transitions between your regular stance and switch while stationary. This will help you get accustomed to which foot does what and how your weight should shift as you transition.
Practice on Easy Terrain
Just like with fakie, start practicing on flat ground. Push off slowly, and move across the surface in switch. Don’t rush; focus on getting the feel of the board underfoot and controlling your speed and direction.
Focus on the Basics
Work on the fundamentals of skating, such as balance and fluid turns. These are crucial skills and even more so when trying to gain confidence in switch. Perfecting the basics will form the groundwork for more complex tricks later on.
Set Small Goals
Set achievable goals for your switch practice. Whether it’s the time spent riding switch or trying to execute a basic trick, breaking down bigger objectives into smaller steps will make the learning process more manageable and rewarding.
Track Your Progress
A helpful way to stay motivated is by tracking your progress. Keep a journal or log of how often you practice and the milestones you reach. Noticeable improvements, no matter how small, are uplifting and encourage you to keep pushing forward.
Building on Fakie and Switch
Once you’re comfortable with the basics of riding fakie and switch, you can build on these skills with more advanced tricks and techniques.
Advanced Fakie Tricks
Expand your fakie repertoire by learning tricks like fakie flips or fakie shuvits. These maneuvers might be challenging at first, but learning them deepens your understanding of board control and balance.
Advanced Switch Tricks
Switch tricks, like the switch kickflip or switch 180, provide similar challenges. They will require significant coordination and balance, but mastering them will add a stylish edge to your skating abilities.
Combine Fakie and Switch
A significant part of skateboarding is fluidly combining different skills and styles. Practice transitioning between fakie and switch in a single run. For instance:
| Trick | Fakie | Switch |
|---|---|---|
| Kickflip | Fakie Kickflip | Switch Kickflip |
| 180 | Fakie 180 | Switch 180 |
Join a Community
Being part of a skateboarding community can accelerate your learning process. Join local skate meetups or online forums to get feedback, share experiences, and learn from others’ journeys into riding fakie and switch.
Mindset and Patience
Finally, remember that skateboarding is as much about the mental journey as the physical one.
Embrace the Learning Process
Accept that mastering fakie and switch will take time. There might be falls and frustrations along the way, but these are part of the learning process. Embrace each challenge as an opportunity for growth.
Stay Motivated
Set specific goals for your fakie and switch practice. These could range from mastering a particular trick to setting a certain number of practice hours each week. Keep your goals visible to remind you why you started.
Reward Milestones
Celebrate the achievements and milestones in your fakie and switch practice. Treating yourself when reaching a new skill level or executing a trick can increase your motivation and create positive reinforcement.
Take Breaks
Allow room for rest and recovery, both physically and mentally. Skateboarding is demanding, and overexerting might hinder your progress. Make sure you’re listening to your body and taking breaks when necessary.
Conclusion
Improving your ability to ride fakie and switch in skateboarding is a rewarding journey that enhances your skills, creativity, and enjoyment of the sport. By understanding the concepts, preparing adequately, practicing consistently, and maintaining a positive mindset, you’ll be well on your way to mastering these stances. Remember, each small improvement is a step closer to the agile and versatile skater you’re aspiring to become.