Tricks for beginners: Ollies, Manuals, and Kickturns!

"How to Perfect Your Ollies: Step-by-Step Guide"

Ollies are one of the most essential tricks in skateboarding, and they're often the first trick beginners learn. An ollie is the act of jumping into the air with your skateboard, without using your hands or feet to help lift the board. Ollies are the foundation for many other tricks, such as kickflips, heelflips, and even grinds.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to perform an ollie:

1. Foot placement: Start by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart on your skateboard. Your front foot should be placed just behind the front truck bolts, with your toes hanging slightly over the edge of the board. Your back foot should be positioned with the ball of your foot on the tail, near the end of the board.
   
   

2. Pop: To start the ollie, you need to use your back foot to pop the tail down onto the ground. This will create a spring-like motion that will lift the board off the ground.
   
   

3. Slide: As the board begins to rise, you need to slide your front foot up towards the nose of the board. This sliding motion will level out the board and bring it up higher.
   
   

4. Jump: As the board reaches its highest point, jump off the ground with both feet, tucking your knees up towards your chest.
   
   

5. Land: As you start to come back down, use your feet to level out the board and prepare for landing. Aim to land with both feet over the bolts, keeping your shoulders parallel to the board.

Now that you know the basic steps of how to perform an ollie, here are some common mistakes beginners make and how to avoid them:

• Not popping the board hard enough: Make sure you use enough force to pop the board off the ground. This will help you get enough air to complete the trick.
  
  

• Sliding your foot too early or too late: Timing is crucial in an ollie. Make sure you slide your front foot up the board at the right time to level out the board and bring it up higher.
  
  

• Not jumping high enough: Your jump is what helps lift you and the board into the air. Make sure you jump high enough to clear any obstacles or cracks in the ground.
  
  

• Landing with your feet too far apart or too close together: Landing with your feet too far apart can make it difficult to maintain balance, while landing with your feet too close together can cause you to lose control of the board.

To become proficient in ollies, it's important to practice regularly and have patience. Learning this trick takes time and dedication, so don't get discouraged if you don't get it right away. Here are some key summary talking points to remember:

• Ollies are the foundation of most skateboard tricks.
  
  
• Focus on getting the timing right.
  
  
• Keep your shoulders parallel to the board.

With enough practice, you'll be able to perform ollies confidently and move on to more advanced tricks.

Manuals are a great trick to add to your skateboard repertoire, as they can be performed on flat ground or on an obstacle, such as a curb or manual pad. A manual involves lifting the front or back wheels of your skateboard off the ground and riding on two wheels, balancing on the board with your body. It may seem intimidating at first, but with practice, anyone can master this trick.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Begin riding on your skateboard at a comfortable speed, with your feet placed over the bolts.
   
   
2. Start by shifting your weight back and lifting the front wheels off the ground, keeping your back foot on the tail of the board.
   
   
3. As you lift the front wheels, lean back and shift your weight to your back foot to balance on the two back wheels.
   
   
4. Keep your knees slightly bent to absorb any bumps or cracks in the pavement, which can throw off your balance.
   
   
5. Once you have achieved balance on two wheels, focus on keeping your body centered over the board.
   
   
6. Use your shoulders and hips to steer the board, and keep your eyes focused on a point in front of you to maintain balance.
   
   
7. When you are ready to end the manual, shift your weight forward and use your back foot to lower the front wheels back to the ground.

Common Mistakes:

• Leaning too far back, causing you to lose balance and fall.
  
  
• Not keeping your knees bent, making it difficult to absorb bumps and cracks in the pavement.
  
  
• Shifting your weight too abruptly, causing the board to snap back to the ground.
  
  
• Not keeping your eyes focused on a point in front of you, making it difficult to maintain balance.

Tips:

• Start small and gradually increase the length of your manual as you become more comfortable and confident.
  
  
• Practice on different surfaces and slopes to improve your balance and control.
  
  
• Keep your knees slightly bent to absorb any bumps or cracks in the pavement.
  
  
• Use your shoulders and hips to steer the board, rather than just your feet.
  
  
• Remember to shift your weight gradually and focus on maintaining balance throughout the manual.

In summary, manuals require balance and control, and are a great trick to add to your skateboard arsenal. By starting small and gradually increasing the length of your manual, practicing on different surfaces and slopes, and keeping your knees slightly bent to absorb bumps and cracks in the pavement, you can master this trick with practice and determination. Remember to use your shoulders and hips to steer the board, and focus on maintaining balance throughout the manual. With these tips and tricks, you'll be riding manuals like a pro in no time.

"Kickturns: How to Turn and Change Direction While Riding"

Kickturns are an essential skill for any skateboarder, as they allow you to change direction while riding. Whether you're cruising around town or shredding at the skatepark, knowing how to perform a kickturn can help you navigate your surroundings with ease.

To start, let's define what a kickturn is. A kickturn involves lifting the front wheels off the ground and pivoting the board around the back wheels. It's a fundamental skill that sets the stage for more advanced tricks like grinds and slides.

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to perform a kickturn:

1. Start riding on a flat surface with your feet in the standard stance: your front foot near the middle of the board and your back foot on the tail.
   
   
2. Look in the direction you want to turn and begin to shift your weight to your back foot.
   
   
3. As you shift your weight, lift your front foot off the board and turn your shoulders in the direction of the turn.
   
   
4. Use your upper body to initiate the turn and pivot the board around the back wheels.
   
   
5. Once you've completed the turn, land back on the board with both feet.

Common mistakes beginners make when attempting kickturns include not shifting their weight enough, not using their upper body to initiate the turn, and not landing back on the board with both feet. To avoid these mistakes, focus on shifting your weight and turning your shoulders in the direction of the turn. Make sure to practice on a flat surface before attempting kickturns on a slope or ramp.

It's also important to practice kickturns on different surfaces and obstacles, such as curbs or small ramps. This will help you develop the control and confidence needed to execute kickturns in a variety of situations.

kickturns are a crucial skill for any skateboarder. By following the steps outlined above and practicing regularly, you'll be able to execute kickturns with ease and precision. Remember to use your upper body to initiate the turn, practice on a flat surface before attempting more challenging terrain, and have fun!

Kickturns are an essential trick for beginners to learn because they allow you to change direction while riding. Kickturns are also a building block for more advanced tricks like ollie to 180s and kickflip variations.

To perform a kickturn, follow these steps:

1. Start by riding at a comfortable speed on a flat surface with your feet in the standard riding position: front foot over the front truck bolts and back foot on the tail.
   
   
2. Look in the direction you want to turn.
   
   
3. Shift your weight towards your back foot while simultaneously pressing down on the tail of the skateboard with your back foot.
   
   
4. As the tail begins to lift off the ground, turn your shoulders and head in the direction you want to turn.
   
   
5. Use your front foot to guide the board in the direction of the turn.
   
   
6. As you complete the turn, bring the tail back down to the ground by shifting your weight forward.

Common mistakes beginners make when learning kickturns include not turning their shoulders enough, not lifting the tail high enough, and not using their front foot to guide the board in the direction of the turn.

To avoid these mistakes, make sure to turn your shoulders and head in the direction you want to turn before initiating the kickturn. Focus on lifting the tail high off the ground to ensure a smooth and complete turn. Finally, use your front foot to guide the board in the direction of the turn, while keeping your back foot over the tail to maintain control.

Practicing kickturns on different surfaces and obstacles is also important for building your skills. Start by practicing on a flat surface before attempting kickturns on a slope or ramp. Once you have mastered kickturns on flat ground, try incorporating them into your riding on banks, transitions, and other obstacles.

When performing kickturns, it's important to use your upper body to initiate the turn. Your shoulders and head should turn in the direction you want to go before you even start to kickturn. This helps to ensure that your weight is properly distributed and that you have the momentum needed to complete the turn.

Kickturns are an essential trick for beginners to learn because they allow you to change direction while riding. To perform a kickturn, focus on turning your shoulders, lifting the tail high, and using your front foot to guide the board in the direction of the turn.

 Practice kickturns on different surfaces and obstacles, and use your upper body to initiate the turn. With practice and persistence, you'll soon be able to incorporate kickturns into your riding repertoire.

Learning the basics of skateboarding requires patience, practice, and dedication. This article has provided a comprehensive guide on three essential tricks for beginners: ollies, manuals, and kickturns.

Recapping the main points of the article, an ollie is the foundation of most skateboard tricks, and it requires timing and coordination between the pop, slide, and landing. Meanwhile, manuals require balance and control, and kickturns are essential for changing direction while riding. It is crucial to practice regularly and be patient with yourself as you learn these tricks, and it is also important to avoid common mistakes that beginners often make.

As a skateboarder, it is essential to keep challenging yourself and trying new tricks. The thrill of landing a new trick or mastering a new skill is what keeps the passion for skateboarding alive. In addition, it is vital to prioritize safety while skateboarding. Wearing protective gear like helmets, knee pads, and elbow pads can prevent injuries and ensure a safe and enjoyable skateboarding experience.

For further learning, there are many resources available online, such as video tutorials, forums, and skateboarding communities. It is also helpful to skateboard with friends who have more experience or to take lessons from professional instructors.

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced skateboarder, these tricks are fundamental skills that will improve your overall skateboarding abilities. With practice, dedication, and patience, anyone can learn and master these tricks. So keep practicing, stay safe, and most importantly, have fun!

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By The Supply Network