How to Tiger Claw on Longboards

Heavier longboards make the tiger claw challenging.

Longboarding is a hybrid sport combining the terrain of skateboarding with the tricks of surfing. Longboarding has broken into numerous genres, including freestyle and downhill. According to Loaded Boards, the tiger claw is an old-school longboarding trick that involves popping the board into your hand. Learn the tiger claw with a shorter longboard to easily perform the necessary rotation. Practice the tiger claw in a low-traffic area with a level terrain to become comfortable with the technique.

Instructions

1. Place your lead shoe over the forward bolts of the longboard. Propel the longboard forward by thrusting your opposite foot off the ground. Lift your pushing foot onto the grip tape as you attain a moderate speed.

2. Bend your knees while extending your arms for balance. Push down on the tail with your back foot to pop the longboard into the air. Kick your back foot forward to rotate the board 180 degrees.

3. Catch the outer edge of the longboard with your non-dominant hand as your feet land on the ground. Rotate the longboard another 180 degrees in your hand. Jump off the ground while tossing the board under your feet.

4. Align your feet over the top of the longboard as it descends towards the ground. Bend your knees as the urethane wheels land on the ground. Add spins and variations to the tiger claw to increase the difficulty of the trick.

References

• Loaded Boards: Trick Tips
• New York Times: Downhill Longboarding Grows Up
• Transworld Skateboarding: Skateboarding How To

Resources

• "Concrete Wave" magazine: 100% Skateboarding