Have you recently mastered the ollie and are now wondering what skateboarding tricks to tackle next? The ollie is a fundamental skateboarding trick, and conquering it opens up a world of possibilities on the skateboard. If you’re eager to expand your trick repertoire, you’re in the right place. We’ll discuss several exciting tricks that can serve as the next steps on your skateboarding journey. These tricks range from beginner-friendly to more advanced, allowing you to progress at your own pace.
Understanding the Importance of Progression
Before we dive into the specific tricks, it’s essential to understand why progression matters in skateboarding. As with any skill, building a foundation before moving on to more complex maneuvers is crucial. This approach helps in minimizing injuries while boosting confidence and board control. Progression in skateboarding involves gradually taking on more complicated tricks as your skills and confidence grow. It’s not just about learning the tricks but mastering them in a way that feels comfortable and stylish.
What Should You Consider Before Learning New Tricks?
Learning new tricks requires dedication, practice, and a thoughtful approach. Here are a few things to consider before you start:
- Safety Gear: Always wear a helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, and wrist guards, especially when trying new tricks.
- Surface: Practice on a smooth, even surface free of obstacles.
- Pace: Move at a pace that suits you. There’s no rush in skateboarding.
- Mindset: Keep a positive mindset and be prepared to fall and fail before you succeed.
Frontside 180
What is the Frontside 180?
The Frontside 180 is an excellent trick to follow up your success with the ollie. It involves rotating your body and board 180 degrees in the air while moving forward. The key difference from an ollie is the rotational aspect, which adds complexity and style to your trick repertoire.
Steps to Execute the Frontside 180
- Stance: Begin in your regular stance, as you would for an ollie.
- Approach: Ride at a moderate speed with your knees slightly bent.
- Preparation: Wind up your shoulders in the opposite direction of the rotation.
- The Pop: Pop the board as you would during an ollie, but start unwinding your shoulders.
- Rotation: Use your shoulders to initiate the rotation, allowing your hips to follow.
- Landing: Spot your landing mid-rotation, and land softly with your knees bent to absorb impact.
Tips for Mastery
- Practice on the grass to get the motion down without rolling.
- Focus on shoulder movement; your shoulders lead the rotation.
- Keep your eyes on the prize by spotting the landing early.
Pop Shove-It
What is the Pop Shove-It?
The Pop Shove-It is a step up from the basic ollie, involving a 180-degree rotation of the board beneath you without the body rotating.
Steps to Execute the Pop Shove-It
- Foot Position: Place your back foot on the tail and your front foot slightly ahead of the bolts.
- Initiate the motion: Scoop the tail backward with your back foot while your front foot nudges the board in the opposite direction.
- Air Time: Jump up and stay centered over the board as it spins underneath you.
- Catch and Land: Spot the grip tape and prepare to land with both feet over the bolts.
Tips for Mastery
- Start by practicing stationary to get used to the board’s motion.
- Commit to the jump; hesitation can throw off your balance.
- Keep your body aligned with the midline of the board.
Kickflip
What is the Kickflip?
The Kickflip is one of the most iconic and sought-after tricks in skateboarding. It involves flipping the board 360 degrees along the axis parallel to the direction you are moving.
Steps to Execute the Kickflip
- Foot Setup: Place your back foot on the tail as you would for an ollie. Position your front foot slightly off the edge of the board.
- The Pop: Pop the board like an ollie.
- The Flick: Flick your front foot off the edge at an angle to initiate the spin.
- Hover: Stay above the board as it spins, using your back foot to catch it.
- Landing: Aim to land on the bolts to distribute impact and retain balance.
Tips for Mastery
- Practice flicking with just the front foot on the ground to get the motion down.
- Use a slow-motion video of your attempts to analyze and improve technique.
- Focus on committing; it’s common to bail on early attempts due to fear of the board’s movement.
Heelflip
What is the Heelflip?
The Heelflip is similar to the Kickflip but flicks in the opposite direction using the heel. This trick also involves a 360-degree flip of the board.
Steps to Execute the Heelflip
- Foot Position: Your back foot sits on the tail, while your front foot is slightly forward, with toes hanging off a bit more than in a Kickflip.
- Initiate: Pop the board and flick your front foot’s heel outward.
- Maintain Hover: Keep your body centered over the board as it spins.
- Catch and Land: Look for the grip tape return and catch the board for a smooth landing.
Tips for Mastery
- Adjust your flicking foot for a solid flick without missing.
- Watch tutorials to compare techniques and isolate what works best for you.
- Stay committed to landing; hesitation can cause incomplete flips.
Varial Kickflip
What is the Varial Kickflip?
This trick combines a Pop Shove-It with a Kickflip, making it a more advanced maneuver that looks impressive and feels incredibly rewarding to land.
Steps to Execute the Varial Kickflip
- Foot Setup: Set up like a Kickflip but slightly shift your weight towards the back foot.
- Simultaneous Movement: As you pop, scoop the back foot for a shove-it motion and flick the front foot for the flip.
- Hover Above: Keep centered as the board flips and rotates.
- Land: Focus on landing over the bolts to maintain control.
Tips for Mastery
- Break it down by practicing Pop Shove-Its and Kickflips separately.
- Focus on timing; both elements need to be timed together for a successful flip.
- Visualize the trick before attempting it to boost confidence.
Backside 180
What is the Backside 180?
The Backside 180 is similar to the Frontside 180 but involves rotating your body backward. It’s a bit more challenging due to the blind rotation.
Steps to Execute the Backside 180
- Stance: Start as you would for an ollie.
- Set Rotation: Wind your shoulders and start turning backward.
- Pop and Rotate: Pop the board while initiating the backward rotation.
- Spot Landing: Spot your landing midway through the rotation and prepare for impact.
Tips for Mastery
- Practice on a stationary setup until familiar with the movement.
- Concentrate on shoulder movement to lead the body’s rotation.
- Trusting your skills is key since part of the rotation is blind.
Boardslide
What is the Boardslide?
Boardsliding involves sliding the underside of your board along a rail or edge. This trick demands balance and control, making it a thrilling step up for those confident in their board mastery.
Steps to Execute the Boardslide
- Approach: Ride at a moderate speed parallel to the rail or ledge.
- Setup: Ollie onto the obstacle, turning the board sideways.
- Slide: Balance and let the center of the board slide along the obstacle.
- Finish: Dismount by popping or twisting the board to ride away cleanly.
Tips for Mastery
- Scout suitable spots with gentle entry and exit points.
- Start low by practicing on smaller objects before scaling up.
- Balance work; use your arms to stabilize during the slide.
Conclusion
The world of skateboarding is vast and filled with exciting possibilities after nailing your ollie. The journey to mastering these tricks is personal, and each success brings its own rush of accomplishment. By investing time in learning these tricks, you’re not just expanding your capabilities but also building a lifelong journey of creativity and expression atop your skateboard. Remember, practice is your best friend, and each fall is just a step closer to landing a trick that once seemed unattainable. Enjoy the ride!
