How to Do a Tailslide on a Skateboard
Once you've conquered noseslides, 50-50 grinds and 180 ollies on a skateboard, you can move on to the next level of tricks with a tailslide. The motion for this trick is exactly as its name indicates: sliding the tail of your board across a ledge. There are two basic types of tailslides: frontside and backside. For the frontside method, face toward the ledge as you approach. Backside tailslides begin facing away from the ledge and the slide itself is backward.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
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1
Skate toward the ledge at a slight angle with a comfortable amount of speed. Position your feet on the board as you normally would for a 180 ollie. When you reach the ledge, ollie above it and turn your board 90 degrees in the air.
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2
Push down with your back foot when the tail of your skateboard is over the ledge. Hold most of your weight on the tail when you land. Maintain the sliding motion by keeping your board perpendicular to the ledge.
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3
Land the tailslide by executing an ollie motion when you reach the end of the ledge. Turn your shoulders forward and your body will follow, landing parallel to the ledge. Keep your board level to the ground as you land; don't allow your front wheels to hit the ground before your back wheels do.
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1
Tips & Warnings
When you ollie onto the ledge, begin the motion soon enough that you can position your board over the ledge. If your ollie is too late, you'll clip the ledge with your wheels. Landing backward in a "fakie" may be easier for beginners to learn. At the end of the tailslide, turn your body back toward the ledge and land with the tail facing forward.
Be sure to wear a helmet and pads to help prevent injury as you learn tailslides.
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