Skateboarding is one of the most popular and cool street sports. You can learn how to get started, whether it's the basics of surfing or kickflip tricks like a pro. From learning how to buy your first board to mastering the Ollie trick - you'll understand how to skate on the pavement!
Step
Part 1 of 4: Getting Started
Step 1. Find a board that matches your hobby
Skateboards are available in a variety of sizes and styles. The price can be cheap or expensive. The two most standard types are the classic regular skateboard and the longboard. Visit a skate shop in your area or a skateboard site for some reasonably priced options.
- Classic skateboards have curved noses and tails, as well as hollows to help with tricks. This type of board comes in a variety of sizes, with most being 31 inches (about 78 cm) long and 8 inches (about 20 cm) wide. These are the boards you can buy if you want to skate at the skateboard park or on the streets and do tricks.
- Longboard or cruiser longer and flatter. The length of the board varies, but can be twice as long as a classic skateboard, making it more stable and easier for beginners to ride. You will not be able to freely perform tricks with this board. However, if you are interested in gliding for travel or gliding from a height, this type of board is a good option.
- The price of a skateboard for a beginner should be around IDR 650,000, 00-Rp 2,000,000, 00. At the store, have your board prepared with the right type of truck and wheels for your purpose. Remember, NEVER buy boards from Walmart or Toys R Us. The boards from these two shops will break quickly and are difficult to study. Visit a shop that specializes in skateboarding equipment.
Step 2. Buy shoes that fit
Skate shoes are usually sold by brands like Vans, Airwalk, or Etnies. These shoes have solid sides and a flat bottom, making them perfect for attaching to boards. While you can slide in plain sneakers, maneuvering around the board is easier with skates.
Never try to slide in sandals or flip-flops. You should be able to move your legs easily and still feel comfortable. Without this aspect, your ankle can be injured and you are more likely to fall
Step 3. Purchase the necessary safety equipment
When you're first starting to learn how to slide, you're going to fall, maybe a lot. Consider purchasing safety gear such as helmets, knee pads, and elbow pads to protect you from falls and accidents. This is especially important for beginners. Some states in the US, such as California, require all skateboarders to wear helmets on the streets.
- Make sure you buy a helmet that fits your head. Before you go to the store, use a tape measure to measure the circumference of your head, just above your eyebrows, in a straight line around your skull. Buy a helmet that fits this size.
- Bearing is nothing to be ashamed of. Pads are important to protect yourself from serious head injuries.
Step 4. Find a suitable place to slide
A flat cement track or parking lot is a good place for you to get used to skateboarding. Make sure nothing gets in your way and watch out for cracks, gravel and potholes in the road. Crossing small gravel can result in an accident, especially when you are speeding.
Skateboard parks are a great place once you get a little experienced. If you just want to try your hand at riding a skateboard without falling, this park might not be for you. If your area has this park, watch the skaters for tips, but stay still
Step 5. Consider asking someone who is a skateboarder to teach you
Your dad may not be the right person, so ask someone from your local store or park so you can watch him play. Bring some budding friends and ask the expert if he's doing an intermediate or advanced technique. If so, perfect! You have got a teacher.
Skating with friends is an important part of skateboarding. If you have some skateboarding friends, learn from them. Learning from friends is better than studying alone or from the internet
Part 2 of 4: Mastering the Basics
Step 1. Stand on the board properly
Place the plank flat on the ground and stand on it to learn how to properly place your feet, and balance yourself without falling. Stand with your feet at an angle to the side of the board, and pointing approximately to the screw that attaches the wheel to the board.
- Standard foot position means your left foot is in front and your right foot is behind. This means you will use your right foot to push.
- The inverted leg position means that your right foot is in front and your left foot is behind. Usually, this means that you will use your left foot to push.
- Rock back and forth a little to learn the motion of the wheel and the magnitude of the swing on the board. Get used to it.
Step 2. Try pushing very slowly and placing your feet on the board
Slightly bend your front foot so it's more straight with the plank, rather than toward its side. Use the other foot to push slowly and glide very slowly at first. Don't get into an accident because you go too fast before you're ready.
- Once you've gained momentum, practice returning your back foot to the back of the board, just in front of the tail, around the hollow of the plank. Find your balance and glide, bending both knees slightly to maintain balance.
- The mongo position means that you are more comfortable pushing with your front foot, and sliding with your back foot. Some people think it's natural, but this position will annoy you later, as well as being difficult, because you have to swing your front leg. If you do, try switching to a regular or reverse style.
Step 3. Push again as you slow down
Keep practicing making small pushes, and rotating your legs to stand on the plank until you slow down. Then, rotate your leg straight in front of you, push off with the other leg, and roll back. The more you do this, the more you will get used to skateboarding.
- Try speeding up, but little by little. As with bicycles, some riders find it easier to balance when the movement is faster.
- If you start to lose balance as you go, tighten your screws. You'll have a harder time turning, but you can practice in this state, at least until you can keep your balance. Changing the center of gravity of the body to move forward can also help.
Step 4. Bend your ankles and transfer your body weight to make the turn
Once you've mastered the technique of pushing and riding a little, try turning the board by changing your center of gravity. Glide with your knees bent, so that your center of gravity is close to the ground. Then, shift your weight forward to make a right turn (if your feet are normal), and twist your ankles back to turn left.
- Depending on the level of tension of the screw, you may only have to change the center of gravity very little, or very much. You can loosen the screws by turning the large bolt in the center of each end of the board (left to loosen and right to tighten). This puts more (tightening) or less (loosening) pressure on the board, making it easier (because the screws are loose) or harder (because the screws are tight) when turning.
- If you have trouble balancing on the plank or you fall while making a turn, shift your upper body weight in the opposite direction. The important thing is that your feet are anchored to the board so that the end of the board is turning.
Step 5. Lower your leg to stop
You just lower the pusher foot to stop. Do this when your pace has slowed down a bit, and hold your momentum. However, don't lower your legs when you're gliding at high speed. Start by lightly touching your feet to the ground and touch more steadily as you start to slow down. Keep your other foot on the board, or the skateboard will keep going.
You can also change the center of gravity of the body backwards and press the tail of the skateboard to stop. Some longboards have plastic "brake" pads on the back lip, while others don't. This method is usually a little more difficult, and can injure the back of the board. An alternative that won't damage the skateboard is to touch the heel to the ground, behind the toes on the tail of the skateboard. Your heels will slide off the ground instead of the skateboard tail
Step 6. Try another way of gliding
Once you've really mastered how to slide on the board, try replacing the front foot with the back foot. If you want to become a truly great skateboarder, you have to learn how to slide from both directions comfortably. This is useful when you're trying the half-pipe trick, or any number of other skateboard moves.
Step 7. Learn how to fall properly
All skateboarders fall down a lot, especially in the early days of learning. You should always wear safety gear and learn how to fall properly. To prevent more serious injuries (besides scratches and bruises - which are signs found in skateboarders), you can learn some simple tricks to keep your body safe.
- Extend your arms, but relax them. If you are very stiff, your wrists and feet are more susceptible to serious injury than if you use them to withstand impacts when you fall.
- Roll over every time you fall. You may be bruised, but the pain is much less than if you landed in a normal posture.
- Run away if you see any danger. If you slide too fast and can't control the board, jump and land on both feet, or roll into the grass. Don't hold on to a skateboard that's lost control.
Step 8. Watch the moves of more experienced skateboarders so you can learn tips and tricks
Find a friend to slide with. It will help you learn from their different styles or ability levels. If you don't know anyone, talk to some skaters at the nearest skateboard park. They are usually friendly and willing to help. Experiment, do a higher ollie trick, learn how to do another trick, or whatever you want. Your teacher has now become a friend instead of just an instructor, share your expertise with him or her, and show off your skills to others.
- For tips on doing various moves, you can always watch the video in slow motion and pay attention to the footwork. Sequential photos are also a good way to learn.
- The more you practice, the more skilled you will become. Don't be discouraged because you can't master a trick on the first or second try. Practice and have fun, and you'll eventually master the trick.
Part 3 of 4: Studying Ollie
Step 1. Start by raising the front of the skateboard
Do this by emphasizing the hind legs on the tail. Ollie involves a sudden movement that causes the skateboard to float in the air and land safely. The first part of this trick is to get into the habit of stomping your back foot on the tail of the board, so you can jerk it and make it fly into the air. Practice getting used to this movement. This exercise is very important.
- As you stand on the board, practice moving your body back suddenly, so that the nose of the skateboard rises into the air and stays balanced. You can even try it while gliding if you dare.
- Before trying the ollie move, it's a good idea to stand next to the skateboard and practice jerking it into the air. Use your feet to stomp the tail and find out how much pressure it takes to get the board into the air. It's also useful to toss the board in your hand so you can easily pick it up.
Step 2. Try tossing the board while you are still
Stand on it and bend your knees low enough so that your body's point of gravity is close to the plank. Move the back foot to the tail of the skateboard. Kick the tail, as if you want to apply the brakes, but this time hit the ground completely. Then, hurl the board until you have successfully ollie.
Don't start moving just yet. Before mastering an ollie on the ground, trying to do so while sliding can be dangerous. You may get injured
Step 3. Throw the board into the air and jump
For a high-flying board, slide your front foot back slightly and into the air, with your knees close to your chest, as you push off the tail of the skateboard with your back foot.
- You have to do it in one quick motion, and it can be difficult at first. Jump into the air and leave the board at the same time you press it down with your back foot.
- You will jump with your front foot just before jumping with your back foot. Imagine that you are running sideways and trying to jump over a traffic cone. Do such a move.
Step 4. Bring your front foot forward to catch the board
Once the board is in the air, bring your front foot forward to balance the board and control it. You should do this as soon as you are in the air.
Step 5. Push the board down by straightening your legs
Once you've leveled the plank, push back toward the ground by straightening your legs and landing them in a glide position. The most important thing to remember is to land with your feet on the screws and bent knees. This increases your chances of continuing successful gliding and keeps the board from getting damaged, as well as avoiding injury.
- Don't be ashamed if you fail and don't do it. If the board doesn't float with balance or something seems to be wrong, don't try to land on it. Land with both your feet.
- In fact, it might be better if you practice your first ollie move by jumping off the board and landing next to it.
Step 6. Try doing an ollie while moving
After you can ollie from rest for ten times in a row, try doing it while moving. Push up and start gliding at a low to moderate speed, then bend down and throw the plank up, just as you would standing still.
This is a fundamental skill to learn, which is the basis of most other board throwing tricks. More information and links to specific trick articles can be found in the next section
Part 4 of 4: Learning More Tricks
Step 1. Try the pop shove it gesture
Do the ollie as high as you can, then, as you balance your feet, touch the board with your front foot to make a 180-degree turn. You can do a little "scooping" with your back foot to make it easier to turn the plank.
Step 2. Try the kick-flip move
Do the same with the pop shove it move, except when you touch the board, kick a small area on the rising side of the board. Try different moves until you can rotate the board. This trick is not easy, so practice it and don't give up.
Step 3. Try the grinding trick (gliding on rails/handrails)
Start with a low rail (with a height of 30 cm or less). This trick is not easy, so do it step by step.
- Start by sliding on the rails, then jump off the board and land with just your feet on it. Let your board slide on its own.
- Next, practice throwing the board as you jump, but let your board slide on its own. Just make sure your feet land on the rails.
- Make sure you jump in a position that forms a small angle, not completely straight. This way, the risk of snagging the screw at the start of the rail is less.
- Now it's time to do the real trick. Do the ollie as high as possible in the direction of the rail. Land with both feet on the screws, in a balanced plank position on the rails.
- If the board slides sideways on the rail, it is called a board-slide. If you keep track of the rails so that the plank truck locks up and slides over it, this trick is called a 50-50 grind.
- Once you reach the end of the rail, flip the board over if you are in the board-slide position (so that the board is now facing the right direction) and land on the screws. If you're doing a 50-50 grind, lift the front wheel slightly (by pushing in the tail slightly), so that the front of the board doesn't go down. Alternatively, you can continue this move by doing another ollie.
Step 4. Visit a skateboard park and try to join
Joining does take some courage, but the payoff will be worth it.
- Start with the tail on top of the coping (the metal pipe lining the top of the skateboard) and the feet behind the screws on the board, but at a sufficient distance to maintain balance.
- Place your front foot on the screw and snap the board down. Don't hesitate or you will fall. You have to be confident and determined.
- Make sure you lean forward in this movement. Otherwise, the board will slide and leave you. The shoulders should always be parallel to the board.
- Don't worry about sliding down from the opposite side, just let your board slide up naturally.
Step 5. Do some lip tricks
Some cool lip moves are Rock to Fakie, Axle Stall, and Nose Stall. These moves are awesome, but not too difficult to learn if you've had a few months of experience. When you visit a skateboard park, be careful not to get injured. Injuries while gliding really hurt.
Tips
- Always keep some distance between your legs. Gluing the two together will throw you off balance.
- Always lean your body weight slightly forward. Leaning back can cause the board to slide from under your body and leave you.
- If you're a beginner, don't think you'll be great right away. You need time.
- Do not give up. If you fail, keep practicing.
- Wear comfortable clothes that allow you to move freely. You don't have to keep up with the latest trends, but you can wear skate shoes.
- Squatting low will keep your center of gravity low, which means you won't fall over easily.
- Do not store your phone or other perishable items in a clothing pocket.
- Good quality trucks, such as Thunder, Independent, Tensor, Grind King, Royal, etc. allows you to make turns more easily and control the board more steadily. Quality wheels like Force, Darkstar, Ricta, Autobahn, Spitfire, Bones, and many more, as well as good bearings: Bones (Bones Reds are usually considered the best), Swiss, Rockin' Rons, Ninja, etc., let you increase speed quickly and maintain speed. Top boards like Revive, Mini Logo, Mystery, Almost, Black Label, Element, Real, Girl or Chocolate, etc., provide more control, feel and durability.
- Find a skate buddy. If you know someone who is just starting out on skateboarding like you, meet them and talk about your technique, or how fun or difficult skating is. Skateboarding will be much more fun if you do it with friends. The more friends the better.
- Be very patient with beginners.
- Skateboarding places great importance on balance, practice sliding down hills with only one foot, or while transferring your center of gravity from one foot to the other.
- Purchase several pairs of quality skate shoes to properly protect your feet and help grip the board while sliding.
- Always look ahead to know where you are going.
- Play safe and keep your distance from children and animals.
- Don't be shy when you fall. This is normal. In fact, experts also often fall!
- If you are told to leave a place, do so. If security personnel or police arrive, the skateboarding session will end. Accept fate. Try gliding in a safe and legal place. The path in front of your house, car park, garage, dead end, or local park are all examples of great places to skateboard.
- Make way for pedestrians and car drivers.
- When choosing a board, consider the type of skateboarding you want to play. If you want a stable board that is easy to land on and perform grinding and sliding techniques, choose a board that is 20.3 to 21.6 cm wide. If you want to do flip tricks and make technical skateboarding easier and require less movement, choose a 19 to 20.3 cm wide board. However, this is really personal, so consider a few different sizes before you choose.
- When on the "Penny Board," you must place most of your body weight on the front of the board and maintain a low point of gravity.
- If you're still not used to sliding on a board, don't do any tricks. Make sure you are safe and do so only when you are ready.
- Practice as often as possible and don't give up when you fall. Some people fell badly and they didn't want to slide anymore. This is overkill.
- Learn how to land when you fall. Practicing how to fall can also help.
- If you can't turn easily when tilting your body, loosen the screws from the large bolt in the center of the board.
- When landing after performing a trick, make sure you always step on the bolts so the board doesn't slide and leave you.
- Glide on smooth roads, not old and uneven ones.
- Spend time practicing in silence and experimenting in different positions. This kind of exercise will really help you maintain balance later. You can move your legs and move around. In this stage, you are getting used to the skateboard.
- Always bend your knees.
- Always wear a helmet and wrist pads. These two locations are the most frequently injured.
- Always wear wrist guards if you don't want to run the risk of serious injury.
Warning
- Don't throw the board when you're frustrated. This can cause irreparable damage.
- Don't do something just because someone else is doing it. Do only things that make you feel comfortable.
- Always pay attention to your surroundings.
- Wear protective equipment. Knee pads can limit movement, but are important for gliding.
- Look for good quality skates, which are comfortable to wear and last a long time.
- Skateboarding is most fun when done in a group, with several people. If something happens, you know someone is looking after you. In addition, playing with friends is more fun.
- Wear a helmet. You may find this uncool, but a helmet will protect your head from breaking. Skateboarding is fun, but be aware that injury or death is possible if you don't wear a helmet.
