Isn’t it the worst feeling when your friends can do something that you cannot? Imagine your mates skating, yet all you can do is sit back and watch as they are having fun. That could be the last thing everyone can wish for. If that is what is happening, I would recommend reading this entire article, the beginner skateboard tricks, as you will learn how to skateboard step-by-step as a beginner.
Skateboarding, also known as sidewalk surfing, started in the early 1950s but started gaining gradual popularity in the 1960s. Although it received some bad rep in the first decades, notably in the 1990s, skateboarding is becoming one of the most renowned sporting activities among teens worldwide. It is expected to get even more popularity after the 2021’s summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, when it will become an official sport.
Considering the gradual growth in skateboarding, it is an excellent idea to learn to skateboard. Let’s get into our step-by-step guide, beginner skateboard tricks, and tips.
How to Skateboard – Beginner Skateboard Tricks and Tips
Here, you will learn the basics of skateboarding. That is, how to ride a skateboard, stand, stop, turn, jump, and push on a skateboard. Let’s get started.
Step 1: Get Ideal Skateboard and Skating Gear
Skating is fun yet risky. The risks become even more severe without the appropriate skating gear. Wearing protective equipment and ensuring your skateboard is in good condition is highly recommendable regardless you are a pro skater or a beginner.
When we talk of gear, we refer to the protective paraphernalia, including a helmet, knees and elbow pads, and wrist braces. The protective equipment is meant to protect you from injuries if you slip and fall or hit an object. Therefore, it should be firm enough to offer protection even in extreme conditions. Also, the gear should be comfortable. The knee and elbow pads, for example, should be flexible.
On the other hand, the board’s condition is an essential thing to confirm. Ensure the trucks are not too tight or loose and the kingpins are in position. Additionally, ensure you are comfortable with the deck. Note that skateboards come in different shapes and sizes. Skateboards with the broads deck are recommendable for beginners.
Step 2: Find a Suitable Skateboarding Training Place
The training location can significantly influence your learning. While you are a beginner, we recommend a smooth, flat, and even field. Avoid wet areas with fallen leaves and cones, among other debris, as they can throw you off balance. Also, avoid crowded places. Less-used sidewalks, Empty Street, or parking lots are better places to train skating.
Step 3: How to Stand on a Skateboard
After wearing protective gear, ensuring your board is fit, and getting in an ideal skating area, you can now start the basics, beginner skateboard tricks, and stances. To start, you should know how to step on a skateboard and maintain your balance. Standing on a skateboard refers to shifting your weight onto the board and maintaining your center of balance.
First, stand next to and in the middle of the skateboard while your knees are slightly bent, then determine your stance, that is, how you stand on a skateboard. The foot that leads to starting stair, walk, or you often use to kick is your stance. There are two types of postures;
- Regular – The skaters place the left foot in the front.
- Goofy – The skaters place the right foot in the front.
Next, lift your front foot straight up, move it over to the board, and place it on the board’s front bolts. Gently shift your weight to the front leg, then lift your back foot and move it over to the board – now to the back bolts. Now balance your weight between your feet. Practice the process until you can stand on the board effortlessly.
Step 4: How to Push on a Skateboard
After you can stand on the skateboard, now it is time to push. Pushing refers to riding the skateboard or exerting a force that ignites or accelerates the moving momentum. To ride, stand next to the skateboard with your feet parallel to the board. Your dominant foot should be right next to the board.
Next, place your dominant foot on the board near or above the front bolts, at an angle between 30 to 45 degrees, then shift your weight to the front foot. Bend your front feet and lean forward slightly. Ensure to keep your center of balance above the front foot.
Slightly bend your back foot, push off the ground, and quickly bring it back on the board. Place the back feet on the skate’s tail, facing perpendicular to the skateboard.
Next, redistribute your weight between your feet as you reposition the front leg. Let the skate roll until it stops. Bending your knees will help you maintain your stability. Repeat the process until you are used.
Now, you will not need to wait until it stops. As you skate, you can reposition your front foot to your stance, push again, and then get to the previous position.
Step 5: How to Stop on a Skateboard
Now it’s time to slow and stop the skate. When you skate at high speed, you may lose your balance and slip, especially if you are entirely a beginner. Therefore, skateboard at a pace you can maintain your balance. You need to know how to slow or stop in case the speed accelerates.
To stop, bend your knees slightly, take your pushing foot off the skateboard, and gently drag it on the ground. Gradually shift your weight to the pushing leg as you slow down.
Step 6: How to Turn on a Skateboard
Turning on a skateboard is easy. It refers to a change of skating direction.
There are two main types of turning suitable for beginners;
- Kick-turn – It is a sudden change of direction. To kick-turn, exert pressure on the skateboard’s tail and flip your body, starting with the shoulders toward the direction you want to turn.
- Carving – It is a smooth, gradual change of direction. To turn, you only need to lean to the side you want to go.
Step 7: How to Jump on a Skateboard
While skateboarding, you will most certainly meet obstacles that you will need to evade. Jumping over those obstacles is one of the best ways to avoid them. Knowing how to jump on a skateboard sets a good foundation for more sophisticated tricks.
However, it is advisable to perfect the other fundamentals (previous steps in this guide) before learning how to jump. Let’s look at how you jump on a skateboard.
- Get to a Jumping Position – Place your front foot somewhere between your board’s middle and front bolts. Next, place the back foot almost at the tip of the tail of the board. Bend your knees at an angle of about 90 degrees.
- Jump and Pop – This is the most challenging part of jumping on the skateboard. Note that your actions should be simultaneous. Execute the jump and immediately pop the board’s tail, just before your feet leave the deck, by pushing it towards the ground using the back foot. Sweep the front foot along the board towards the nose as you move up in the air while you pull the back foot towards the chest. The sweeping helps to guide the board, keep it in contact with your feet, and level it up in the air.
- Commit to Landing – Landing motion starts almost immediately after leveling up the board. Move your feet towards the board as you shift your center of gravity to the middle of the board. Your feet should land right above the skate trucks on the deck to quickly gain stability.
- Continue Rolling – as soon as you land, bend your knees slightly and continue rolling. Bending your knees will help you gain and maintain your balance quickly.
That’s it. You can now know how to skate like a pro with our beginner guide – how to skateboard for beginners. However, learning how to fall safely is highly recommendable as it decreases the risks of serious injuries.
Final Thoughts
“Failure is the first step to success.” You will not train and perfect skating overnight. You will need persistence and lots of practice. However, with this guide, beginner skateboard tricks, and tips, you will learn how to skateboard pretty fast.
Must Read:
