SKATEBOARD STANCE (REGULAR OR GOOFY)
The first step is to figure out which foot should go in front and which should push. Imagine yourself slipping on ice or a hardwood floor with your socks. Which foot do you instinctively lead with when you begin the slide? This will tell you which side you're on. However, you should try riding in both directions to discover which feels more comfortable.
REGULAR
Regular footed means you feel more comfortable with your left foot in front.
Credits: Jack, Unsplash
GOOFY
Goofy footed means you feel more comfortable with your right foot in front.
Credits: Robbin Wong, Unsplash
WHERE TO LEARN HOW TO SKATE
Credits: Matthew Cooksey, Unsplash
An empty roadway or parking lot, as well as a smooth, less-used sidewalk or bike wash, are all excellent places to learn how to ride your skateboard. We recommend looking for a smoother sidewalk if the one you're on has enormous cracks all the way down it.
Before heading to a skatepark, it's best to understand the fundamentals of pushing and riding around. Skateparks are generally crowded and chaotic, making them an unsuitable learning environment. If it's the only place around where you can learn, try to pick a spot where you won't obstruct more experienced skaters.
BEGINNER SKATEBOARDING TIPS
1. BEND YOUR KNEES
All skateboarding tricks benefit from a low, relaxed stance since it allows you to quickly adjust your balance in any situation.
2. BE DETERMINED
The best trick for learning to skate, as well as most other things in life, is practice and dedication. Skateboarding is difficult, so don't expect to be an expert right soon. Skateboarding's difficulty is part of what makes it so enjoyable and keeps people coming back day after day.
3. BE READY TO FALL
Skateboarding entails a certain amount of falling. We advocate investing in a helmet and protective gear to keep you safe when skating and falling for the rest of your life!
4. USE QUALITY EQUIPMENT
Skateboards from department stores are more likely to have low-quality parts and perform poorly than boards from legitimate skate businesses, which can be difficult and depressing to ride. We have a big assortment of high-quality skateboard gear from all of the major manufacturers.
5. BE CONFIDENT
Don't be concerned with how you appear or how good you are. Your fellow skaters will respect you if you skate hard, try new tricks, and are considerate to others. All skateboarders like seeing another skater push their limits and improve their skills, no matter how simple the trick is.
HOW TO PUSH ON A SKATEBOARD
Credits: Atakan Narman, Unsplash
On a skateboard, pushing is the first and most fundamental skill to learn.
Make a 30-degree angle with your front foot at the front hardware bolts.
Allow your back leg to touch the ground by bending your front knee.
Reach down and push off with your back foot while balancing all of your weight on your front foot.
At a modest inclination near the back hardware bolts, return your rear foot to the board.
TIP: Practicing balancing alone on your front foot can assist. Once you've mastered this, you'll be able to keep pushing anytime you need to.
HOW TO TURN ON A SKATEBOARD
Credits: Jennifer Bedoya, Unsplash
CARVING TURNS
Turning is simple and intuitive once you've spent some time on a skateboard. As you lean from side to side, your trucks are meant to turn your board. Here are some pointers:
Before leaning into your turn, bend your knees and go low.
In the direction you want to turn, lead with your shoulders and apply pressure with your toes.
Bring your body back to its natural stance and roll away once you've completed the turn.
TIP: Play around with the tightness of your kingpin until it feels right. Looser trucks provide less stability but allow you to turn more readily. Tighter trucks provide more stability, but they also limit your turning ability.
Credits: Devin Avery, Unsplash
KICK TURNS
Kick turns allow you to turn sharply at a slow speed, which is useful for going around obstacles or changing directions on a ramp. We recommend practicing this maneuver without rolling on flat ground initially.
Lean back somewhat and place your rear foot on the kick tail to lift the front wheels off the ground. This enables you to rotate the front of the board in the desired direction.
Lead with your shoulders and torso as you raise. Your board will spin in the direction that your head, shoulders, and hips are pointing.
Reapply weight to your front foot and roll away once you've completed the turn.
HOW TO STOP ON A SKATEBOARD
Credits: Tony Pham, Unsplash
The first and most important way to stop a skateboard is by dragging your foot on the ground.
Balance your weight on your front foot and bring your back foot to the ground in a pushing motion.
Rather than pressing, gently drag the sole of your shoe across the ground while keeping your weight mostly on your front foot.
Once you've made contact, you can apply extra pressure to accelerate the slowing process.
Hold this stance until you come to a complete stop, or once you've attained your chosen speed, put your foot back on the board.
TIP - Stomping on the ground quickly can also slow you down, but it's much more likely to knock you off your balance and knock you off your board
HOW TO THROW DOWN A SKATEBOARD
Credits: Daniel Lincoln, Unsplash
In skating, knowing how to throw down your board is a must-have ability. Once you've mastered this, you'll be able to start moving at a faster pace without needing to lay down your board and push from a halt.
With the arm on the same side as your front foot, hold the board's nose. So, if you're normal, hold it in your left hand, and if you're weird, hold it in your right.
With your pushing foot, take a step forward and extend your arm holding the board, allowing it to hang in front of your front leg. Lower the board and place it beneath your front foot as you take your next stride, so you can turn that step into the first push.
Try to get your front foot in the right spot so you can start riding right away without having to reposition your feet. It may appear and feel clumsy at first, but it will become second nature soon enough, and you will be able to launch yourself down into your board at full speed.
Credit: Tactics
Paraphrase by: Darren Koong
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