How to Learn How to Skateboard
Skateboarding is a fun and creative pastime that requires minimal equipment. It's an activity that is as much a form self-expression as it is a sport; skaters place as much emphasis on style and creativity as they do complexity or difficulty. Skateboarding is a challenging pursuit and many beginners are often frustrated with the steep learning curve. It can take several hours of practice just to get the basics down. Perseverance is the only way to master it.
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Instructions
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Basics
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Learn the basics of pushing. Find a flat, open area with smooth concrete or asphalt. This will keep your speed constant and predictable. Place your feet over the truck bolts, parallel to the truck axles. To push, place your back foot on the ground, and turn your front foot 90 degrees, so your toes are pointing the way you want to go. Push with your back foot until you're up to speed, then place it back on the board and turn your front foot parallel to the axles again.
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Explore the different methods of turning your skateboard. Leaning left and right will rock the trucks on their rubber bushings, causing them to rotate left and right. Your trucks should be set up with minimal flex in them, so this turning technique is only for fine adjustments to your trajectory. For sharper turns, place your back foot on the tip of the tail, turn your hips and slightly un-weight your front foot. The front trucks should lift and the board will turn. Lift the trucks as little as possible and turn as fast as you can to maintain stability.
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Learn to stop suddenly. Skateboarding is based largely around momentum, so normally you'll be trying to preserve your speed rather than dispel it. But every so often, you'll need to stop in a hurry. The simplest way is to drag the sole of your back foot on the ground, but this only really works at low speeds. If you're traveling at jogging pace, put all your weight over the back foot and drag the tail of the board on the ground. If you're carrying a lot of speed, perform a quick 90-degree turn by lifting your front trucks, so your chest is pointing forward. Dip low and put all your weight through your heels, your wheels should skid. This is called a "Powerslide" and should really be reserved for emergencies as it creates flat spots on your wheels.
The Ollie
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Place your back foot on the tip of the tail and your front foot across the board, slightly behind where you would have it when skating normally. Bend your knees and compress your body as low as possible without compromising your stability.
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Jump off your back foot, slapping the tail against the ground. The board will rise almost vertically, so you need to lift your front foot quickly to avoid obstructing its trajectory.
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Drag the side of your front foot up toward the truck bolts, and tuck your back foot up under yourself as quick as you can. This should cause the board to level out in the air, so it's parallel to the ground. Extend your legs, guiding the board to the ground, and land with your knees bent to absorb the impact. The Ollie is a prerequisite for attempting all the flip tricks and grinds you see pros perform.
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Tips & Warnings
Skate videos have always been an important part of the culture, but watching experienced pros perform the basics can give you a good sense of the technique required to execute these moves smoothly and efficiently.
Wear safety equipment such as knee and elbow protection, particularly when learning something new. A helmet is essential, especially when first attempting the Ollie. If you land off center on your board, it can whip out from under you, rapidly planting you on the back of your head.
References
- Photo Credit Ryan McVay/Photodisc/Getty Images
