Skateboard Tricks – From Basics to Pro Tips
Skateboard Tricks – Pro Tips for Beginners
Ready to learn your first tricks? This guide will help you build control, balance, and confidence step by step. We'll start with posture and basic moves, move on to progression exercises, and conclude with pro habits every skater uses.
Step 1: Basic body mechanics
Foot position
- Front foot: Start at a right angle (±90°) for stability; later turn slightly at an angle (45–60°) for greater mobility during turns and tricks.
- Back foot: usually perpendicular to the tail for pop and control; when cruising, it can be slightly angled for more flow.
- Posture: Knees slightly bent, shoulders relaxed and aligned with your feet. Relaxed, yet active.
Step 2: Getting on and off
A good session starts with safe and stable mounting and dismounting. This video shows you how to do this without wobbling or slipping.
- Place your front foot above (or just behind) the front truck.
- Then place your back foot on the tail; keep your knees slightly bent.
- Dismount in a controlled manner with your back foot first .
Step 3: Steering and turning
You steer with your whole body—eyes, shoulders, hips, and knees working together. Turning left or right? Follow this sequence and use your toe and heel pressure wisely.
- Gaze direction: Look where you want to go; your body follows your gaze.
- Shoulders & hips: Turn smoothly into the bend; this way you transfer your weight in a controlled manner.
- Knees: Bend slightly — this provides stability and makes leaning onto your toes/heels easier.
- Toe pressure → turn in: before the turn, subtly put pressure on the ball of your forefoot (toe-side).
- Pressure towards heel → neutralize: Slowly shift pressure towards heel to complete the turn and return to neutral.
Pro tip: keep your upper body flexible. Rigid steering = stiff cornering.
Step 4: Build progressive skills
Balance before tricks
- Stand still on your board and “rock” from heel to toe.
- Drive slowly and lean slightly left/right to feel your trucks.
Weight above the middle
- Keep your hips above the center line of the deck.
- Relax your knees, shoulders over your feet — your neutral base.
Small to large
- Break each trick into pieces. For an ollie: first pop, then slide your foot, then combine.
- Practice in short bursts; build muscle memory without overloading.
Step 5: Fine-tuning trucks (control = progress)
- Start middle: stable straight ahead, yet easy cornering.
- ¼-turn rules: More speed/stability? ¼ turn tighter. More carve/turn? ¼ turn looser.
- Test & feel: lean left/right. Too stiff = looser; too wobbly = tighter.
- Discipline: Street/tricks are often a bit tighter; cruising/carving is often a bit looser.
Live tuning: bushings shape; your style changes. Check regularly and adjust accordingly.
Step 6: Pro habits that make you better faster
Learn to fall safely
- Fall forward or to the side rather than backward; roll where possible.
- Helmet and wrist guards are smart, not stupid.
Also drive switch
- Practice both stances (regular/goofy). Double down on your balance and board feel.
- Preparation for fakie/nollie and advanced lines.
Material in top shape
- Quick check before each session: grip, trucks/kingpin, wheel bolts, bearings.
- Strange noise or play? Fix it first, then push it.
Common beginner mistakes
- Trucks either too loose or too tight.
- Going too fast on slopes without control.
- Skating on gravel/wet — slippery = risk.
- Look only at your feet (forget the direction you are looking).
- Maintaining the wrong stance and not daring to change.
In summary
Posture first, steering with your whole body, small steps in progression, and developing pro habits. This way, skating feels smoother every session—and the tricks will come naturally.