First and foremost, before you even start to think about attempting any tricks on a skateboard, it’s important to become comfortable riding your board. This means spending time simply riding around, getting used to the feel of the board and the way it responds to your movements. Finding a flat, smooth surface to practice on will make it easier for you to focus on the basics of riding, such as balance, turning and stopping.
Once you’ve become comfortable riding your board, it’s time to start practicing some tricks. But before you start attempting any tricks, you should make sure your board is set up correctly. A properly set-up board can make all the difference when it comes to learning new tricks. You’ll want to make sure your trucks are tight enough to provide stability, but loose enough to allow for easy turning. Your wheels should be relatively hard and small enough to provide good grip and control.
One of the most basic tricks to learn is the ollie. The ollie is the foundation of most skateboard tricks and it’s a must master skill. To perform an ollie, you’ll need to start by placing your back foot near the tail of your board and your front foot near the middle of the board. Then, you’ll want to bend your knees and push down with your back foot while lifting your front foot up to the air. As your skateboard begins to rise up, you’ll want to slide your front foot toward the nose of the board to level it out.
Another popular skateboard trick is the kickflip. To perform a kickflip, you’ll want to start in the same stance as you would for an ollie. However, instead of simply jumping up and lifting your front foot, you’ll want to kick your back foot out to the side and flip the board underneath you. To do this, you’ll need to use your front foot to flick the board in the opposite direction that your back foot is kicking it. Once the board has completed its rotation, you’ll need to bring your feet back on top of the board and land.
A more advanced trick is the 360 flip or tre flip. This trick involves a combination of both an ollie and a kickflip while simultaneously spinning the board horizontally 360 degrees. To perform this trick, you’ll want to start by popping an ollie and kicking your back foot in one direction while flicking your front foot in the opposite direction. As the board begins to rotate, you’ll need to use your back foot to scoop the board and spin it 360 degrees. Once the board completes its rotation, you’ll want to bring your feet back on top of the board and land.
Skateboarding is all about pushing yourself to new limits and adding tricks to your skillset. With practice and patience, you too can become a skater who can execute an array of tricks with gravity-defying precision. So, strap on your helmet, pads, grab your board, and get to it! With the right mindset and an unquenchable thirst for challenge, you’ll be executing tricks like the pros in no time!