How to Find Focal Points when Skateboarding

Video Transcript

"Now we're going to talk about an important part of fundamental street skating and that is focal points or where to look while skating. We are going to cover where to look while you are pushing and where to look while you are setting up for a trick. When skaters first learn how to skate they usually have problems with balance because they invert the gaze all over the place. The important thing to remember is when pushing off first look down to make sure your feet are in the right position. Once you pushed off look forward in the direction in which your skateboard is heading glance back down at your feet to make sure they are in the correct position. Then back forward the way that you are rolling. So I begin to push looking down at the skateboard and looking down on my feet, push off then I look forward glance down to see if my feet are in the right position and then look forward again. Just keep your focus in the same direction it keeps you from losing balance. Focus is also important when setting up for a trick, in this case setting up for an ollie. Once again you want to look forward while pushing then look down on your feet to make sure they are in the correct position for the ollie. Then while ollieing look forward and look forward while landing. I know that my feet are in the correct position so I can look forward while pushing look down on my feet and make sure they are setup for the ollie, perform the ollie and then look forward again. This will keep your focus in the right place it keeps you going in a steady direction and keep you from losing balance and falling off. It will also add style to your tricks and getting use to moving straight line when performing."