How to Do a Shifty Ollie on a Skateboard

When a plain old ollie just isn't good enough....

Things You'll Need

• Skate Rails
• Skateboard Decks
• Skateboard Helmets
• Skateboard Pads
• Skateboard Parts
• Skateboard Trucks
• Skateboard Wheels
• Skateboarding Shoes
• Skateboards

Instructions

1. Remember that a shifty is just an ollie with some added style distortion - thanks to a bit of sideways drift - so set up the trick just like a normal ollie.

2. Start pushing the board sideways, either frontside or backside, as you are going up so that by the time you're at the peak of the ollie you are almost perpendicular to the direction you are traveling.

3. Execute a frontside shifty by opening your hips toward the front like an ollie to axle stall, and then bring the board back straight by twisting your hips back to their original position as you come down from the ollie.

4. Execute a backside shifty by tucking your rear leg up and pointing your front foot toward the toe side of your board, and then push with the ball of your back foot toward the original position to bring it back on your way down.

5. Keep your head facing the way you are traveling the whole time so when you are in the shifty position, your body will look wound up. Contorting the board without hands takes some time to learn, but looks ever so stylish when you figure it out.

Tips & Warnings

• Watch Tommy Guerrero and Keith Hufnagel for proper shifty style.

• Skateboarding is an inherently dangerous activity that can result in serious injury or death. We recommend that you seek proper training and equipment before attempting this activity.