Getting Started: Preparation and Basics
Gear Up!
Your safety should always be your top priority. Skateboarding, by its very nature, involves falling, so protecting yourself is crucial. Essential gear includes:
The Skateboard: Of course! Make sure you have a board that fits your size and skill level. If you’re a beginner, a complete skateboard is a great place to start.
Helmet: This is non-negotiable. Choose a helmet specifically designed for skateboarding that fits snugly and covers your forehead.
Pads (Knee and Elbow): Protect your joints from impact. Knee pads are essential, and elbow pads are a good idea, especially when learning new tricks.
Shoes: Choose shoes with a flat sole and good grip. Skateboarding shoes are designed to withstand the wear and tear of riding and offer the best board feel.
Optional: Wrist Guards: These can provide extra protection, particularly when learning tricks that involve falling on your hands.
Fundamentals: The Building Blocks
Once you’re properly geared up, it’s time to focus on the fundamentals. These basic skills are the foundation for every trick you’ll learn.
Stance: Regular vs. Goofy. Determine which foot you’d prefer to put forward. Regular skaters put their left foot forward, and Goofy skaters put their right foot forward. Experiment! Try pushing with both feet to see what feels more natural.
Pushing and Cruising: Learn how to push efficiently. Place your lead foot on the board and push with your other foot. Practice pushing and balancing until it becomes second nature. This is how you will move around the skate park.
Turning: Frontside and Backside. Learn how to initiate turns by leaning slightly in the direction you want to go and shifting your weight. This is the very first trick you will need to learn to get around the skate park. Practice this and get used to leaning to help turn! Frontside turns involve turning towards the nose of your board, while backside turns involve turning towards the tail.
Balance and Stability: Spend time simply riding your board. Practice staying balanced while cruising, turning, and even just standing still. You can also incorporate balance exercises off the board, such as standing on one foot or using a balance board, to improve your overall stability.
Essential Flatground Tricks
The Ollie: The Foundation
The ollie is the most fundamental trick in skateboarding. It’s essentially a jump that allows you to clear obstacles and get your board off the ground. Learning the ollie is the *most* important thing for all skateboarders.
Step-by-step:
Place your back foot on the tail of the board, near the edge, with your toes slightly hanging over.
Place your front foot a few inches behind the front bolts, in a comfortable position.
Bend your knees and crouch down.
Snap the tail of your board down on the ground, bringing the board up.
Slide your front foot up the board towards the nose, leveling out the board.
Jump up in the air.
Land with your knees bent, absorbing the impact.
Common mistakes:
Not popping the tail hard enough.
Sliding the front foot too far or not far enough.
Not jumping high enough.
Landing unbalanced.
Importance of the ollie: The ollie is the basis for many other tricks, like kickflips, heelflips, and many more. Once mastered, you can ollie over obstacles, up onto ledges, and into the air.
The Kickflip: Adding Style
Once you can ollie consistently, it’s time to learn the kickflip. This trick adds a stylish spin to your ollie.
Explain the kickflip motion:
Start with the same stance as an ollie.
As you ollie, slide your front foot up the board and off the edge towards the nose, flicking your ankle off the side of the board. This motion will cause the board to rotate.
Jump up in the air.
Land with your feet back on the board, ideally landing over the bolts.
Roll away.
Tips for getting the foot flick right: Practice the flick without the ollie. Get comfortable with the movement of your foot.
Practice tips:
Start stationary.
Try rolling slowly.
Focus on the timing and foot movement.
Once comfortable, try to ollie before doing the kickflip.
The Pop Shuvit: Rotating the Board
The pop shuvit is a good trick to get you comfortable with board rotations.
Break down the pop shuvit technique:
Place your back foot on the tail of the board, in a comfortable position.
Place your front foot slightly behind the front bolts, similar to your ollie stance.
Pop the tail of the board down and scoop it back towards the direction you are facing.
Jump up in the air.
Land on your board.
Roll away.
Tips for getting the board to rotate: Focus on scooping the tail back towards the direction you are facing.
Variations: Try adding an ollie to the pop shuvit to get the board higher in the air.
Transition Tricks (on Ramps and Bowls)
Rock to Fakie
The rock to fakie is a beginner-friendly trick that introduces you to the feel of transition.
Description of what the trick is: This involves riding up a ramp, momentarily balancing on the top edge, and then rolling back down in the opposite direction (fakie).
Step-by-step:
Ride up the ramp with enough speed.
As your board hits the edge of the ramp, shift your weight forward and rock the board onto the coping.
Balance for a moment, then shift your weight back, rolling back down the ramp fakie.
Tips for safety and balancing: Start on smaller ramps and go slowly. Practice balancing on flat ground first. Keep your knees bent for better balance.
Drop-In
The drop-in is a more advanced transition trick, where you roll straight from the top of a ramp or bowl.
Explain what a drop-in is: This involves dropping into a ramp or bowl from the top, riding down the ramp, and then riding back up.
Tips on confidence and getting started: Start small. Choose a ramp that is not too steep. Practice the motion off of your board and visualize yourself doing it.
Safe drop-in techniques: Place your front foot on the board just behind the front bolts, and your back foot on the tail. Bend your knees and lean forward as you roll into the ramp.
Street Tricks (Rails, Ledges, and Manual Pads)
Grind
Grinding is a classic skateboarding move, where you slide your trucks along a rail or ledge.
How to approach: Get comfortable with your ollie and the basic techniques. The most important part is going slow. Choose a comfortable rail or ledge.
The grind itself: Olllie over the rail or onto the ledge. Place both trucks on the rail, and grind down it.
Getting off the grind: As you approach the end of the ledge or rail, shift your weight off of the rail. Then, bend your knees and roll away.
Boardslide
The boardslide is a variation of the grind, where you slide your board along the rail, as opposed to your trucks.
How to approach: Get comfortable with your ollie and the basic techniques. The most important part is going slow. Choose a comfortable rail or ledge.
The boardslide itself: Ollie over the rail or onto the ledge. As you approach the ledge, jump with your front foot at an angle to place the board across the ledge.
Getting off the boardslide: Jump and rotate to roll away.
Tips for Progression and Practice
Skateboarding is a journey of continuous learning. Here are some tips to help you on your path:
Warm-Up and Stretching
Always warm up before you skate. This will reduce your risk of injury and help you perform better. Include dynamic stretching like leg swings and arm circles, and static stretching, holding stretches for seconds.
Finding the Right Skate Spot
Choose ramps and obstacles that are appropriate for your skill level. Starting on smaller ramps will help you build confidence. Watch other skaters and see if they are doing tricks similar to your skill level.
Practice Makes Perfect
Consistency is key. Practice regularly, even if it’s just for a short amount of time. The more you skate, the more comfortable you’ll become. Break down tricks into smaller steps and focus on mastering one step at a time.
Filming Yourself
Filming yourself can be a valuable tool for learning. You can analyze your technique, identify areas for improvement, and see your progress over time.
Learn from Others
Watch videos of professional skaters and learn from more experienced skaters at your local skate park. Don’t be afraid to ask for tips or advice. Watch videos on YouTube and learn new tricks.
Safety and Etiquette at the Skate Park
The skate park is a shared space. Practicing safety and following etiquette will ensure everyone has a positive experience.
Safety First!
Wearing safety gear is mandatory.
Know your limits, and don’t try tricks that are beyond your current skill level.
Be aware of your surroundings. Watch out for other skaters and obstacles.
Avoid distractions, such as listening to music with headphones.
Skate Park Etiquette
Respect for others. Be mindful of other skaters and avoid cutting in line.
Sharing space and taking turns. Take turns on ramps and obstacles.
Calling your tricks. Let others know what you’re going to attempt.
Cleaning up. Put your trash in the proper receptacles.
Conclusion
Mastering tricks at the skate park is a rewarding experience. It’s a physical challenge, a creative outlet, and a chance to connect with a community. Remember to prioritize safety, practice consistently, and have fun! Embrace the challenges, celebrate the small victories, and enjoy the ride.
Ready to take your skating to the next level? Get out there, hit the park, and start learning those skate park tricks! The journey is filled with excitement and challenge, but you will be amazed with what you can accomplish.
