How to Switch Ollie Off a Curb

Not only is the ollie good for creating tricks at the skate park or on a ramp, but it's also great for clearing gaps and other obstacles in the streets. One basic way to use the ollie during a street session is to jump off of a curb. To improve your coordination and balance, try performing this trick riding switch. It's hard at first, but it gets easier with practice.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Place your feet on the skateboard in a switch stance. Also called "fakie" by snowboarders, this is just like your regular stance, except the order of your feet is reversed.

2. Ride your skateboard toward the curb at a moderate speed. Going too slow makes clearing the curb hard, but riding too fast forces you to rush through the ollie and may mess up your timing.

3. Approach the curb at a right angle. Although you can ollie off of a curb from just about any approach angle, hitting it straight on gives you the best chance of success.

4. Wait for your skateboard's front trucks to clear the curb before starting the ollie. This can be frightening, but it's the best way for you to time your jump.

5. Crouch down, then explode into the air. Pop the skateboard's rear kicktail into the ground with your foot as you jump.

6. Level the skateboard out with your front foot as you clear the curb. Remember, this isn't the foot that's normally in front, so sliding it up the deck might feel strange.

7. Land with your weight evenly distributed across the board's deck. Also, bend your knees when you land to absorb the jump's impact and regain control over your board.

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