Have you ever wondered how to add a touch of flair to your skateboarding routine by mastering a new trick? If spinning your board beneath your feet while simultaneously rotating your body sounds like a trick up your alley, you’re in the right place. This guide is all about learning how to execute a bigspin on a skateboard, an impressive move that seamlessly combines a pop shove-it and a body rotation. Let’s roll through the details and help you land this trick with ease and confidence.
Understanding the Bigspin
The bigspin is a skateboarding trick that combines a 360-degree shove-it with a 180-degree body spin in the same direction. It might sound daunting, but breaking the trick into smaller, manageable pieces makes it achievable. Being able to visualize and understand each component is key to executing it smoothly.
What You’ll Need
Before jumping onto the skateboard, ensure you have the right equipment and skills:
- Skateboard: Your board should be in good condition with properly tightened trucks.
- Protective Gear: A helmet, knee pads, and elbow pads to keep you safe from potential falls.
- Foundation Skills: You should already be comfortable with an ollie, pop shove-it, and ideally, a 180-degree turn.
Why Master the Bigspin?
The bigspin is not just about adding flair to your skateboarding. It’s a trick that combines technical skill with showmanship. Successfully landing a bigspin will not only boost your confidence but also expand your repertoire of tricks, making you a more versatile skateboarder.
Preparation and Safety
Before attempting the bigspin, preparation and safety are essential. This isn’t just about protecting yourself physically, but also mentally gearing up for challenges and possible setbacks. Skating, like any other sport, involves occasional falls.
Safety Considerations
- Warming Up: Start with basic stretches and a brief session of skating around to warm up your muscles.
- Inspect Your Gear: Check your skateboard for any damage. Ensure your helmet and pads are securely fitted.
- Clear Space: Find a flat, open area with a smooth surface and no obstacles.
Check out this simple checklist to ensure safety:
| Safety Gear | Condition |
|---|---|
| Skateboard | Good |
| Helmet | Fitted |
| Knee Pads | Secure |
| Elbow Pads | Secure |
| Flat Surface | Available |
Mental Preparation
Keep your mindset positive. Tricks take practice, and it’s normal to fall a few times before landing a trick smoothly. Visualize yourself completing the bigspin successfully before you attempt it. Reassure yourself that every small improvement is a step forward.
Step-by-Step Guide to the Bigspin
Once you’re equipped and ready, it’s time to break down the bigspin into steps that make it approachable. Remember, practice each component separately until you feel comfortable before transitioning to the next step.
Step 1: Master the Pop Shove-It
A pop shove-it involves making your skateboard spin 180 degrees beneath you with a pop and scoop motion. Here’s how to do it:
- Foot Placement: Place your back foot on the tail with your toes slightly hanging off the edge. Your front foot should be behind the front bolts, ready to guide the board’s spin.
- The Pop and Scoop: Push down on the tail and simultaneously scoop it behind you.
- Control the Motion: Keep your shoulders relaxed and your eyes on the board, ensuring it completes the 180 spin.
Step 2: Perfect the Frontside 180
This step requires turning your body 180 degrees.
- Foot Stance: Similar to the pop shove-it, keep your back foot ready on the tail and front foot behind the bolts.
- Initiate Turn: Wind up your shoulders and pop the board while jumping.
- Follow the Spin: Turn your shoulders and hips to face the opposite direction, guiding your board with your feet.
Step 3: Combine for the Bigspin
Finally, it’s time to combine the pop shove-it with the 180 body spin.
- Setup: Position your feet as if you’re about to execute a pop shove-it.
- Execute the Spin: Focus on popping the board with the back foot while your torso initiates the 180 spin.
- Land: As the board completes its 360 spin and you finish your 180, strive to align your feet over the bolts for a balanced landing.
Tips for Practicing
- Break It Down: Practice the pop shove-it and 180 individually before combining them.
- Use Visual Cues: Mark your starting position to ensure each spin is complete.
- Seek Feedback: Ask a friend to record your attempts to help analyze your form and correct mistakes.
Common Challenges and Solutions
As you work on mastering the bigspin, you’ll likely encounter some hurdles. Understanding these challenges and how to overcome them is part of the journey.
Board Flipping Instead of Spinning
If your board tends to flip rather than spin, check your foot position. Ensure your back foot is scooping and not kicking down as this can cause the board to flip.
Incomplete Spins
If you find you’re under-rotating or landing sideways, focus on your shoulder movement. Your shoulders lead the trick, so ensure they’re fully committing to the 180 spin.
Losing Balance
Balance issues often arise from inconsistent foot placement. Check your feet before each attempt to make sure they’re stable and positioned correctly.
Enhancing Your Skill
The more you practice, the closer you’ll get to perfecting the bigspin. However, practice doesn’t have to be just repetition. Adding variety to your training and focusing on nuances can enhance your overall skateboarding skill.
Variety in Practice
Diversify your practice by:
- Changing your skating environment, such as trying different surfaces like street or skate parks.
- Practicing other tricks can provide a well-rounded skating experience.
Focus on Body Movements
Concentrate on your body’s actions rather than just the board:
- Enlarge your turns: Exaggerating your movements initially can help you internalize the feeling of the 180 spin.
- Precision in Footwork: The way you adjust your feet on the board affects the trick’s outcome.
Progression and Next Steps
Once you have successfully landed a few bigspins, it’s natural to seek further progression. The skills you’ve developed through this trick lay the groundwork for more advanced maneuvers.
Next Tricks to Learn
After mastering the bigspin, consider branching into:
- Varial Flips: A combination of a kickflip and a shove-it.
- 360 Flips: Also known as tre flips, these involve a 360 shove-it with a kickflip.
Sharing Your Skill
Finally, don’t forget the joy of sharing your achievements:
- Teach others who are eager to learn.
- Collaborate with fellow skaters to expand your skills further.
Conclusion
Learning how to do a bigspin on a skateboard is an exciting challenge that incorporates technical skill and artistic flair. By breaking down the trick into manageable components, practicing consistently, and aiming for continuous improvement, anyone can add this impressive maneuver to their skating repertoire. Remember, every practice session is a stepping stone, and the journey to landing a bigspin is as fulfilling as the trick itself. Through perseverance and focus, you’ll not only master the bigspin but also bolster your confidence in tackling even more complex tricks on your skateboard. Happy skating!