Have you ever watched in admiration as skaters seem to effortlessly soar above obstacles with their ollies and wondered how you could reach those heights? You’re not alone in yearning to execute higher ollies with your skateboard, a trick that not only looks impressive but also serves as a foundational skill for many other tricks. Mastering the art of increasing your ollie’s height involves understanding the physics, perfecting your timing, and enhancing your technique. Let’s unravel the secrets to achieving this and help you elevate both your skills and your board to new heights.
Understanding the Basics of the Ollie
Before diving into methods to achieve a higher ollie, it’s essential to grasp the fundamental mechanics behind this classic skateboard trick. In essence, an ollie is a jump performed by popping the skateboard’s tail off the ground and using your feet to level out the board in mid-air. The trick of the ollie doesn’t involve the use of your hands; it’s the coordination between your legs and feet that does the magic.
The Dynamics of an Ollie
An ollie utilizes the energy generated by tensing your legs and then releasing it swiftly to propel the skateboard off the ground. The following sequence of movements is critical:
Popping the Tail: This initial snap of the tail against the ground begins the ollie. It creates the upward thrust needed to lift the board.
Sliding the Front Foot: The sideways motion of your front foot on the grip tape helps in leveling the board while airborne, giving it that characteristic lift.
Knees and Balance: While airborne, you must tuck your knees up to your chest to maximize height and maintain balance to ensure a smooth landing.
Perfecting this series of movements is fundamental, and each component can be finely tuned to achieve a higher ollie.
Improving Your Physical Technique
Fine-tuning your physical movements can make a dramatic difference in how high you can ollie. Focus on your posture, foot position, and timing to start seeing noticeable improvements.
Perfecting Your Stance
A solid stance is the bedrock of a successful ollie. Position your front foot just behind the bolts, angled slightly, with your back foot centered on the tail. This stance maximizes your balance while allowing you to generate maximum pop.
Timing and Synchronization
Timing is everything in an ollie. The critical moment when you pop the tail should be in perfect unison with the sliding of your front foot. This synchronization allows the efficient transfer of energy from your legs to the board, ensuring maximum lift. Practice this in slow motion to drill in the correct timing.
Strengthening Your Pop
The power of your pop directly affects how high your board will go. To maximize this, you’ll need both strength and explosiveness in your legs. Practice popping the board while stationary to focus solely on your pop without the added difficulty of moving.
Developing Muscle Strength and Flexibility
In addition to technique, physical conditioning plays an essential role in ollie height. Strength, flexibility, and balance are key physical attributes impacting your ability to perform ollies at greater heights.
Building Leg Strength
Incorporating exercises that target your leg muscles can significantly boost your ollie height. Squats, lunges, and calf raises strengthen the muscles necessary for a powerful jump. Aim to incorporate these exercises into your routine several times a week for the best results.
Enhancing Flexibility
Flexibility, particularly in your ankles and hips, aids in achieving the full range of motion needed for an explosive pop and high ollie. Regular stretching of these areas can help prevent injuries and improve your height. Dynamic stretches before skating and static stretches after are effective strategies.
Improving Balance
Balance is another essential element. Exercises like balance board routines and single-leg stands can improve your stability on the skateboard, allowing for better control when performing an ollie and ensuring you can maintain that control when aiming for additional height.
Making Equipment Adjustments
Believe it or not, the skateboard you use can also impact your ability to ollie higher. From the type of deck to the wheels and trucks, each component can be optimized for better performance.
Choosing the Right Skateboard
The size and shape of your skateboard deck can affect the ease of performing high ollies. A lighter board may make it easier to lift, while a properly sized deck can offer a better grip for your feet.
Wheel and Truck Adjustments
Smaller, harder wheels may provide less friction, making it easier to launch into an ollie. Similarly, adjusting your trucks to your preference for either tighter or looser can assist in balance and control when preparing for an ollie.
Importance of Grip Tape
Grip tape provides the friction necessary for your foot to slide correctly up the board. Worn-out grip tape can reduce this friction, making it more challenging to perform an ollie. Regularly check your grip tape to ensure it provides the necessary grip for executing high tricks.
Practicing Regularly and Setting Goals
Consistent practice, coupled with setting achievable goals, makes a powerful combination when working to enhance your ollie height.
Creating a Practice Routine
Design a schedule that allows for regular practice without pushing beyond your limits. Consistent short sessions often prove more beneficial for skill acquisition than sporadic, longer sessions.
Setting Incremental Goals
Break down your ultimate goal of an impressive ollie into smaller, achievable benchmarks. These incremental steps will help keep you motivated and make tangible progress more attainable.
Recording Progress
Consider recording videos of your attempts. This footage can provide insightful feedback on your form and help you identify specific areas for improvement.
Overcoming Mental Barriers and Staying Motivated
It’s easy to get discouraged when you’re not making immediate progress. However, overcoming mental challenges is as crucial as mastering physical technique.
Visualizing Success
Visualization can be a powerful tool. Before attempting an ollie, take a moment to mentally visualize every detail of the trick, from the pop to the landing. This mental rehearsal can build confidence and optimize performance.
Perseverance and Patience
Remember that progress takes time and patience. Some days will be better than others, and that’s perfectly normal. Stick with your routine, celebrate small victories, and remain patient.
Stay Inspired
Whether through watching videos of your favorite skaters, reading sport articles, or connecting with a skating community, staying inspired keeps the passion for skateboarding and self-improvement alive.
Conclusion
Achieving a higher ollie is a blend of mastering techniques, enhancing your physical condition, optimizing your equipment, and maintaining a committed and positive mindset. Every skateboarder can astonish themselves by seeing how much progress they can make with dedicated practice. Stick with these tips, and perhaps soon, you’ll be the one leaving onlookers in awe with your impressive airtime!