Skateboarding is a thrilling sport that offers a unique sense of freedom and a feeling of being airborne. One of the most fundamental techniques of skateboarding is performing an Ollie. The Ollie is a trick that every skateboarder must master to achieve more complex moves. It involves lifting the skateboard off the ground without using your hands. Learning to Ollie can be a bit daunting, but once you get the hang of it, it can open the door to endless possibilities for your skateboarding journey. In this article, we will guide you through the step-by-step process of learning how to Ollie on a skateboard. Whether you’re a beginner or an intermediate rider, read on to master the Ollie and take your skateboarding to the next level.
1. Understanding the Basics: What is an Ollie and Why is it Important in Skateboarding?
New to skateboarding? Then you probably have no idea about ollies and their significance. An ollie is a skateboarding trick that allows the rider to jump and lift the board off the ground without using their hands. It’s the foundation of almost all skateboard tricks and a crucial skill to master for any aspiring skateboarder. An ollie is one of the most fundamental tricks that can be used to navigate obstacles, perform jumps, and even land difficult tricks.
To perform an ollie, the rider must first pop the tail of the board down on the ground while simultaneously sliding their front foot up the board. This results in the skateboard being lifted off the ground and leveled in the air. The rider can then land back on the board with both feet or perform more complex tricks.
It’s important to note that ollies are not just for show. They have practical applications for skateboarders. They can be used for navigating curbs, stairs, and gaps, which are all common obstacles on the streets or in skateparks. Additionally, ollies can give the rider great control and stability when jumping over objects, like cones or boxes. Remember, the better your ollie skills, the more versatile you become as a skateboarder.
Now that you know the importance of an ollie in skateboarding let’s move on to how to perform the trick properly.
2. How to Set Up Your Skateboard for Optimal Ollie Performance
Setting up your skateboard correctly before attempting an ollie is essential for achieving optimal performance. Here are some tips to ensure your skateboard is ready for your next ollie:
Tighten Hardware
The first step is to ensure that all hardware on your skateboard is tightened properly. Loose hardware can cause your skateboard to wobble or even fall apart mid-air, which can be dangerous. Use a skate tool or wrench to tighten the hardware until it is secure. Tightened hardware will also make it easier for you to pop the board off the ground, which is an important part of the ollie.
Use the Right Skateboard
Using a skateboard that is too small or too large for you can make it difficult to perform an ollie. A good starting point is to use a skateboard that is between 7.5 and 8.5 inches wide, depending on your shoe size. The board should also have a concave shape, which means the center of the board is higher than the edges. This will give you more control when ollieing.
Choose the Right Wheels and Trucks
Having the right wheels and trucks can also make a big difference in your ollie performance. Wheels with a larger diameter will make it easier to roll over cracks and rough surfaces, while trucks that are tighter will give you more control over the board. It’s best to consult with a skate shop or experienced skater for the right wheels and trucks for your individual needs.
By properly setting up your skateboard, you’ll improve your chances of mastering the ollie technique. Take the time to ensure your hardware is tight, your board is the right size and shape, and your wheels and trucks are optimal for your needs. With a well-prepared skateboard, you’ll be ready to progress to the next step of mastering the ollie technique.
3. Step-by-Step Guide: Mastering the Ollie Technique
Once you’ve mastered the basics of skateboarding and feel confident riding around, it’s time to take things to the next level with the ollie. The ollie is essential as it allows you to jump your skateboard over obstacles and perform other tricks. Here’s a step-by-step guide to mastering the technique.
Step 1: Get into the Right Stance
First, determine your stance. If you’re regular-footed, your left foot goes on the front of the board, and your right foot pushes off the ground. For those who are goofy-footed, this is reversed. Place your back foot on the tail of your board and your front foot just behind the front truck bolts, pointing forward. Your feet should be at a 90-degree angle.
Step 2: Bending Your Knees and Preparing to Jump
Bend your knees and crouch down. As you do this, shift your weight to your back foot. This will allow you to pop the board up into the air with your front foot.
Step 3: Jumping and Sliding Your Foot
Using your back foot, pop the tail of the skateboard down onto the ground. As you do so, jump up and slide your front foot toward the nose of the board. This creates the upward motion and levels out the board mid-air.
Step 4: Landing Smoothly
As your board reaches its peak, begin to bring your feet back to their original position. Once the board is level with the ground, bend your knees and prepare to land. Make sure you land on the bolts of your trucks and not too far forward or back on the board, as this will cause you to lose your balance.
Remember, mastering the ollie takes time and practice. Don’t get discouraged if it takes a while to get the hang of it. Keep practicing and eventually, you’ll be able to add it to your bag of tricks.
4. Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them While Learning to Ollie
Learning to ollie on a skateboard can be a challenging task, but with practice and dedication, anyone can master the technique. However, it is common for beginners to make some mistakes that can hinder their progress in mastering the ollie. In this section, we will discuss some .
1. Not Securing Your Back Foot Properly
One of the most common mistakes beginners make when learning to ollie is not securing their back foot properly. Your back foot plays a significant role in the ollie, and if it is not firmly placed on the tail of the skateboard, it can affect your balance and prevent you from getting enough pop. To avoid this mistake, make sure your back foot is in the right position, with the ball of your foot on the edge of the tail and your toes hanging off the edge.
2. Not Popping the Board Correctly
Another common mistake that beginners make is not popping the board correctly. Popping the board is the essential part of the ollie, and if you don’t do it right, you won’t get enough lift. To pop the board correctly, you need to slam your back foot down on the tail while sliding your front foot up towards the nose. Many beginners tend to pop the board without sliding their front foot, which results in a weak ollie. So, make sure you practice popping the board correctly until it becomes a natural motion.
3. Not Keeping Your Shoulders Square
While learning to ollie, many beginners tend to rotate their shoulders as they jump, which can throw off their balance and prevent them from landing correctly. To avoid this mistake, keep your shoulders square and parallel to the board as you jump. This will help you maintain your center of gravity and land on the board correctly.
By avoiding these common mistakes, you can stay on track and make progress towards mastering the ollie. Remember that learning to ollie takes time and practice, so don’t get discouraged if you don’t get it right away. Keep trying, and before you know it, you’ll be able to ollie like a pro!
5. Taking Your Ollie Skills to the Next Level: Add-On Tricks and Advanced Variations
Once you have mastered the basic Ollie, it’s time to take your skills to the next level by exploring advanced variations and add-on tricks. These tricks require more practice and finesse, and they will elevate your skateboarding game to a whole new level. Here are some add-on tricks and advanced variations that you can try out:
Nollie
The Nollie is essentially a frontside Ollie. Instead of popping the skateboard with your back foot, you pop the nose of the skateboard with your front foot while shifting your weight forward. Once the nose is up, you level the board out by sliding your front foot towards the tail.
Tip: The Nollie is a bit harder to master than the Ollie as it requires more coordination and balance. Practice popping the nose of the skateboard with your front foot while keeping your back foot on the tail. Once you get comfortable with the motion, add the sliding motion of your front foot to level out the board.
Kickflip
The Kickflip is a popular trick that adds a 360-degree spin to your Ollie. To perform this trick, you pop the skateboard with your back foot and flick the side of the board with your front foot to make it spin. Once the board completes the spin, you land back on it with both feet.
Tip: To perform the Kickflip successfully, your front foot should be angled slightly towards the board’s edge. This angle will help you flick the side of the board and make it spin. Keep practicing the flick motion until you can get a full rotation.
Heelflip
The Heelflip is similar to the Kickflip with the difference being that you flick the board with your heel instead of your toe. To perform this trick, you pop the skateboard, slide your back foot towards the board’s edge, and flick it with your heel to make it spin. Once the board completes the spin, you land back on it with both feet.
Tip: Keep your back foot near the tail when you pop the board, and slide it towards the board’s edge to create the flip motion. This trick requires lots of practice to get the timing and coordination right.
Now that you have mastered the Ollie and explored advanced variations and add-on tricks, you have a solid foundation to try out new tricks and explore new possibilities in skateboarding. Keep practicing and trying out new things, and you’ll soon be an expert in skateboarding!
People Also Ask
1. What is an ollie in skateboarding?
An ollie is a fundamental skateboarding trick that allows the rider to lift their board off the ground without using their hands.
2. What are the steps to do an ollie?
To do an ollie, place your back foot on the tail of the board, crouch down, jump off your back foot, slide your front foot up towards the nose of the board, and level out the board with both feet.
3. How long does it take to learn how to ollie?
The time it takes to learn how to ollie on a skateboard varies from person to person. Some may learn it quickly within a few days, while for others it may take several weeks or even months.
4. What are common mistakes beginners make when learning the ollie?
Common mistakes for beginners include not crouching down enough, not sliding their front foot up high enough, not jumping high enough, and not leveling out the board with both feet.
5. Is it necessary to ollie on a skateboard?
While it is not necessary to ollie on a skateboard, it is an important fundamental trick that can help improve a rider’s control and ability to navigate obstacles on a skateboard.
Conclusion
Learning how to ollie on a skateboard can be challenging, but with practice, patience, and the proper technique, anyone can master this fundamental trick. Start with the basics and remember to stay focused, consistent, and determined in your efforts. Happy skating!
