How to Get Beginner Skateboarder Skills

All skaters had to go through the beginning process; there's no way around that. But face it, nobody wants to look like a complete nub in front of their friends even if you are first beginning. These pointers will help you pass through the beginner stage with just a little more grace.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Use good manners. Keep an eye on other skaters to avoid running in to them. Unless you are rolling through it, stay clear of the middle of a skatepark in everybody's path. Watch when you drop-in to a bowl so you won't cut others off or get in front of them and never sit on a ledge that skaters want to do tricks off of.
2. Be able to push. Most skaters rarely have to push since their tricks give them natural momentum, but when they do have to put their foot down, especially when you are street skating, you want to do it right. Regular pushing is done with the back foot, while a few will go mongo style where they push with the front foot.
3. Turn well. This is one of the most basic of skills. You need to be able to make smooth turns for almost every trick. Get your kickturns down as well, going both backside and frontside. Practice this on a flat surface before taking it to ramps or walls.
4. Drop-in well. This is a necessary skill to learn if you are going to hang out at skatepark. Just tip your board's nose down and go for it. You can't walk down into a bowl and expect any credibility afterwards.
5. Pump for speed. Being able to push the board is good but learning to keep going by pumping, or moving the board by pumping your body slightly back and forth, is so much cooler, especially when you are riding a banked wall.