Have you ever watched someone effortlessly flip their board, land a grind, or ride up a wall and thought, “I wish I could do that”? Whether you’re new to skateboarding or already rolling confidently, learning skateboard tricks is one of the most exciting parts of the journey.
Skateboarding isn’t just a sport; it’s an art form and a way of life. With each trick you learn, you’re not just adding to your skill set but also tapping into a rich culture that celebrates creativity, persistence, and style. Tricks take your skating to the next level, turning simple rides into thrilling displays of skill and self-expression.
In this guide, we’ll break down skateboarding tricks step by step, starting with beginner-friendly moves and building up to jaw-dropping advanced stunts. Whether you’re aiming to master the basics, like the ollie, or challenge yourself with a 360 flip, this article has something for every skater. So, grab your board, gear up, and let’s dive into the world of skateboard tricks!
Skateboarding Basics
Before you jump into mastering skateboard tricks, it’s important to lay a solid foundation. Let’s go over the essential gear, parts of a skateboard, and basic techniques to get you comfortable and confident on your board.
1. Essential Gear: Safety and Style
Skateboarding can be thrilling, but safety comes first. Here’s what you’ll need to gear up:
| Gear | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Helmet | Protects your head in case of falls or collisions. |
| Knee Pads | Prevents scrapes and absorbs impact during falls. |
| Elbow Pads | Protects your arms from hard landings. |
| Skate Shoes | Provides grip and support for better control. |
Also, consider wearing comfortable clothing that allows free movement—like loose T-shirts and stretchy pants.
2. Skateboard Anatomy: Know Your Gear
To perform skateboard tricks effectively, understanding your board is crucial. Let’s break it down:
| Part | Description |
|---|---|
| Deck | The flat board you stand on; it’s where you showcase your style. |
| Trucks | Metal parts that attach wheels to the deck and allow for turning. |
| Wheels | Help the board roll; softer wheels are great for cruising, harder for tricks. |
| Bearings | Allow the wheels to spin smoothly. |
| Grip Tape | Provides traction on the deck, keeping your feet stable during tricks. |
Pro Tip: A medium-width deck (7.75-8.25 inches) is versatile and ideal for learning tricks.
3. Getting Comfortable on Your Board
Before tackling tricks, make sure you’re comfortable with these basics:
- Balancing: Place your front foot near the bolts and your back foot on the tail. Practice standing still and shifting your weight.
- Pushing: Use your back foot to push off the ground while keeping your front foot stable. Gradually build speed and confidence.
- Stopping: Drag your back foot lightly on the ground or press the tail down to brake.
- Stance: Decide whether you ride regular (left foot forward) or goofy (right foot forward). Find what feels natural.
Beginner Skateboard Tricks
Now that you’re comfortable with the basics, it’s time to step up your game with some beginner tricks! These moves will help you build confidence, control, and style on your skateboard.
1. The Ollie: The Foundation of Skateboard Tricks
The ollie is the gateway to almost every other skateboard trick. It’s all about getting your board into the air while staying in control.
Step-by-Step Instructions for an Ollie:
- Foot Placement: Place your back foot on the tail and your front foot near the middle of the board.
- Pop the Tail: Push down hard on the tail with your back foot to make the board bounce off the ground.
- Slide Your Front Foot: Slide your front foot up the board to level it out in the air.
- Land Smoothly: Keep your weight centered and land with both feet over the bolts.
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
- Not popping the tail hard enough.
- Forgetting to slide your front foot.
- Leaning too far forward or backward.
2. The Manual: Mastering Balance
The manual is a great trick to improve your balance and control while riding. It involves lifting the front wheels off the ground and maintaining that position as you roll.
How to Perform a Manual:
- Stand with your back foot on the tail and your front foot near the front bolts.
- Lean back slightly while applying gentle pressure to the tail.
- Keep your front wheels off the ground while maintaining balance.
Tips: Start on a smooth surface and practice holding the manual for a short distance before increasing the length.
3. The Shove-It: A Simple but Fun Spin Trick
The shove-it involves spinning your board 180° under your feet while you stay in the air.
Step-by-Step Instructions for a Shove-It:
- Foot Position: Place your back foot on the tail with your toes hanging off slightly. Your front foot should be near the center of the board.
- Pop and Scoop: Use your back foot to scoop the tail in a circular motion, causing the board to spin.
- Hover and Catch: Jump straight up and hover over the board as it spins.
- Land: Align your feet with the bolts and land smoothly.
Practice Tip: Start on grass or carpet to get comfortable with the motion before trying it on pavement.
4. The Kickturn: Navigating with Ease
The kickturn is essential for quick direction changes and navigating skateparks.
How to Perform a Kickturn:
- Place your back foot on the tail and your front foot near the front bolts.
- Apply pressure to the tail to lift the front wheels off the ground.
- Use your shoulders to guide the board in the direction you want to turn.
- Set the front wheels down once you’ve completed the turn.
Pro Tip: Practice kickturns on a slight incline to get used to the motion.
Beginner Tricks Recap Table:
| Trick | Key Skill Developed | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Ollie | Popping and leveling the board | Medium |
| Manual | Balance and board control | Easy |
| Shove-It | Board spinning and foot coordination | Medium |
| Kickturn | Directional control and turning | Easy |
Intermediate Skateboard Tricks
Now that you’ve mastered the basics, it’s time to take your skills to the next level! Intermediate skateboard tricks require more control, precision, and a little more air. In this section, we’ll break down some of the most popular tricks to help you transition from a beginner to an intermediate skater.
1. The Kickflip: Flipping the Board While Jumping
The kickflip is one of the most iconic skateboard tricks. It involves flipping the board in mid-air while you jump. Once you nail it, you’ll be able to add a ton of style to your skating.
Step-by-Step Instructions for a Kickflip:
- Foot Placement: Place your back foot on the tail and your front foot across the board, with the ball of your foot near the middle.
- Pop the Tail: Just like an ollie, you need to pop the tail of the board to get it off the ground.
- Flick the Front Foot: As the board begins to rise, use the side of your front foot to flick the edge of the board. This motion will cause the board to flip.
- Catch and Land: While the board is flipping, prepare to catch it with your back foot and land with both feet over the bolts.
Common Mistakes:
- Not flicking the board hard enough.
- Kicking out too early, which makes the board spin incorrectly.
- Not committing fully to the jump.
2. The Heelflip: A Flip with the Heel
A heelflip is similar to the kickflip, but instead of flicking with your toes, you flick with your heel. It’s a great trick to add variety to your flips.
Step-by-Step Instructions for a Heelflip:
- Foot Placement: Place your back foot on the tail and your front foot across the board, with the ball of your foot positioned slightly at an angle.
- Pop the Tail: Just like the ollie, you’ll need to pop the tail down with your back foot.
- Flick the Heel: Instead of using your toes, drag your front foot up and flick with your heel at the edge of the board.
- Catch and Land: Catch the board with your back foot once it has completed its flip and land softly.
Pro Tip: Make sure your front foot doesn’t drag too far toward the nose of the board, as this will affect your flick.
3. The Pop Shove-It: Adding Height and Style to the Shove-It
The pop shove-it is an advanced version of the shove-it, adding height and more style. This trick involves the same spin as a regular shove-it but with more air.
Step-by-Step Instructions for a Pop Shove-It:
- Foot Position: Place your back foot on the tail with the toes hanging off slightly, and your front foot should be centered near the middle of the board.
- Pop the Tail: Apply pressure to the tail to pop the board into the air.
- Scoop and Spin: Use your back foot to scoop the tail in a circular motion, causing the board to spin 180° beneath you.
- Catch and Land: As the board spins, keep your body centered and land with your feet over the bolts.
Pro Tip: Focus on using your back foot to scoop the board in a smooth motion, and practice on smooth, flat ground to get the best results.
Intermediate Tricks Recap Table:
| Trick | Key Skill Developed | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Kickflip | Flipping the board mid-air | Medium-High |
| Heelflip | Flipping with the heel for variety | Medium-High |
| Pop Shove-It | Adding height and style to spins | Medium |
Advanced Skateboard Tricks
You’ve made it past the beginner and intermediate stages, and now it’s time to take on the advanced tricks that will truly push your limits. These tricks are complex, requiring a great deal of control, timing, and commitment. But don’t worry— with patience and practice, you’ll master them too! Let’s break down some of the most iconic and challenging advanced skateboard tricks.
1. The 360 Flip (Tre Flip): Combining a Kickflip and Shove-It
The 360 flip, also known as the Tre flip, is one of the most rewarding tricks you can land. This trick combines a kickflip and a 360-degree spin into one fluid motion.
Step-by-Step Instructions for a 360 Flip:
- Foot Placement: Position your back foot across the tail with the toes angled slightly outward. Your front foot should be near the middle of the board, ready to flick.
- Pop the Tail: Just like with a regular kickflip, pop the tail down while applying pressure with your back foot.
- Scoop and Flick: As the board pops into the air, scoop the tail around 360 degrees with your back foot while simultaneously flicking your front foot for the kickflip.
- Catch and Land: Keep your focus on the board as it completes its spin and flip, and catch it with your back foot once it’s right-side up. Land softly and roll away cleanly.
Common Mistakes:
- Not scooping the tail enough for the full 360-degree spin.
- Flicking too hard, causing the kickflip to spin off-axis.
- Losing control of the board mid-air and missing the catch.
2. The Hardflip: A Kickflip and Frontside Shove-It Combo
The hardflip is a tricky, hybrid trick that combines the kickflip and frontside shove-it in one motion. It’s not easy to learn, but once you master it, you’ll have a seriously impressive trick in your arsenal.
Step-by-Step Instructions for a Hardflip:
- Foot Placement: Place your back foot on the tail and your front foot angled near the middle of the board.
- Pop and Scoop: Pop the tail down while simultaneously scooping the board with your back foot for the frontside shove-it motion.
- Flick the Board: As the board starts to scoop, use your front foot to flick the edge of the board in a kickflip motion.
- Catch and Land: Catch the board mid-air with your back foot after it has flipped and spun, and land with both feet over the bolts.
Pro Tip: This trick requires precise foot movement, so focus on timing your scoop and flick correctly. Practice the frontside shove-it first to get the scoop feeling right.
3. The Laser Flip: Ultimate Trick for Experienced Skaters
The laser flip is one of the most difficult tricks in skateboarding. It’s a combination of a 360 flip and a heelflip, creating a flip and a spin at the same time. If you’re comfortable with kickflips, 360 flips, and heelflips, then this will be your next big challenge.
Step-by-Step Instructions for a Laser Flip:
- Foot Placement: Position your back foot on the tail, and your front foot slightly angled across the middle of the board, with your toes near the edge.
- Pop the Tail: Use your back foot to pop the tail down while applying pressure.
- Scoop and Flick: As the board begins to pop into the air, scoop with your back foot to rotate it 360 degrees. At the same time, flick your front foot with your heel to make the board flip.
- Catch and Land: Keep your eyes on the board as it completes both the flip and the spin. Catch it with your back foot and land smoothly, making sure you’re over the bolts.
Common Mistakes:
- Scooping or flicking too late or too early.
- Not getting enough height, making it harder to complete both the flip and the spin.
- Losing the board’s direction mid-air.
Advanced Tricks Recap Table:
| Trick | Key Skill Developed | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| 360 Flip | Combining spin and flip in one smooth motion | Very High |
| Hardflip | Combining kickflip with frontside shove-it | High |
| Laser Flip | Ultimate combination of flip and spin (360 + heelflip) | Very High |
Tips for Learning Skateboard Tricks Faster
Learning advanced skateboard tricks isn’t easy, but with the right mindset and strategy, you can improve faster than you think. Here are some essential tips to help you on your journey to mastering skateboard tricks.
1. Practice Makes Perfect
Like any sport, practice is key to mastering skateboard tricks. Start slow and focus on the fundamentals before trying to perform them quickly or on ramps. Break the trick down into smaller parts and master each step.
Practice Tips:
- Set aside time each day to practice, even if it’s just for 20-30 minutes.
- Film yourself to analyze your form and see where you can improve.
- Practice one trick at a time before moving to a new one.
2. Safety First
When you’re learning difficult tricks, falls are inevitable. Always make sure to wear protective gear such as a helmet, knee pads, and elbow pads. This will help prevent injuries and give you the confidence to try new tricks without fear.
3. Stay Positive and Be Persistent
Skateboarding requires a lot of patience and determination. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t land a trick right away. Every skater, no matter how experienced, has gone through the same struggles. Keep pushing forward, and your skills will grow.
Mental Tips:
- Set realistic goals for each session.
- Celebrate small victories, like getting the flick right or landing a trick once.
- Stay motivated by watching other skaters and learning from their techniques.
Conclusion
Mastering skateboard tricks is a journey, and there’s always room for growth, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned skater. From the basic ollie to the advanced laser flip, each trick you learn adds a new layer of style and creativity to your skating. Keep practicing, stay safe, and, most importantly, have fun!
Don’t forget to share your progress and favorite tricks in the comments below—let’s celebrate this awesome sport together!
FAQ’s
What is the easiest skateboard trick?
The easiest skateboard trick is the ollie—it’s the foundation of most tricks and a great place to start!
What are skateboard tricks called?
Skateboard tricks have cool names like ollies, kickflips, and grinds—each with its unique style and challenge!
What is the hardest trick in skateboarding?
The hardest skateboarding trick depends on skill level, but many consider the Laser Flip or 900 one of the toughest to master!
What is the skateboard trick that starts with O?
An “Ollie” is the skateboard trick you’re thinking of—it’s a fundamental move where the rider jumps with the board!
