Skateboarding is an exciting and fun activity that requires skill, technique, and practice. As a beginner, you might feel overwhelmed by the thought of trying out different tricks on your skateboard. But hesitating with incorrect foot placement, poor timing, incorrect body position, and inconsistent practicing are widespread that hinder you from trying new tricks.
However, skaters can progress more quickly and safely with patience, proper guidance, and awareness of common mistakes. You can master some basic tricks, as we mentioned in this article, and enjoy the thrill of skateboarding.
This article introduces 14 easy skateboard tricks for beginners to help you improve your skills and confidence on your board.
Essential Tips for Beginners
Before you start practicing skateboarding tricks, it is essential to know some basic tips to avoid any injuries and make the learning process easier. Here are some tips for beginner skateboarders:
- Wear protective gear, including a helmet, elbow pads, and knee pads, to ensure your safety.
- Start practicing on flat surfaces like a parking lot or smooth pavement.
- Keep your weight balanced on the board, and bend your knees while riding.
- Practice pushing and stopping the skateboard before trying any tricks.
- Use the correct foot position and keep your shoulders parallel to the board.
Basic Skateboarding Tricks for Beginners
The history behind these tricks dates back to the early days of skateboarding when riders were pushing the limits and experimenting with new moves. They are very easy skateboard tricks. Over time, these basic skate tricks have become staples in the sport and paved the way for countless other tricks and variations.
Ollie
The ollie is the most fundamental skateboarding trick that is the foundation for many other tricks. It involves popping the skateboard’s tail while jumping with both feet, allowing the board to rise. The front foot is then slid towards the nose of the board, leveling it out in mid-air and landing back on the board with both feet.
If you’re interested in learning Ollie, check out this helpful guide: Learn How to Ollie.
Kickturn
A kickturn is a basic skateboarding trick involving turning the board stationary. It is performed by shifting your weight to the back foot and pivoting the board on the front wheels while turning your shoulders and hips in the desired direction.
Fakie Ollie
A fakie ollie is similar to an ollie but is performed while riding backward on the board. It involves popping the skateboard’s tail while jumping with both feet, sliding the front foot towards the nose of the board, leveling it out in mid-air, and landing back on the board with both feet.
Frontside 180
A frontside 180 is a famous trick that involves spinning the board 180 degrees in the frontside direction. It is performed by approaching the obstacle or area with speed, jumping, and turning your body 180 degrees while sliding the front foot towards the nose of the board and keeping your eyes on the landing spot.
Backside 180
A backside 180 is similar to a frontside 180 but is performed in the opposite direction. It involves jumping and turning your body 180 degrees while sliding the back foot towards the board’s tail and keeping your eyes on the landing spot.
Intermediate Skating Tricks for Beginners
These tricks require a good understanding of balance, coordination, and timing to master. They are considered intermediate-level tricks and can take some time to perfect. The history behind these tricks is rooted in the evolution of skateboarding culture, as riders continue to push the limits of what is possible on a board. As with any skill, practice is key to mastering these intermediate-level tricks.
Pop Shove-it
The pop shove-it is a trick where the board is spun 180 degrees under the rider’s feet while jumping with both feet. The back foot pops the board’s tail, while the front foot guides the board in a 180-degree spin and lands back on it.
Frontside Pop Shove-it
The frontside pop shove-it is similar to the regular pop shove-it, but the rider spins the board 180 degrees in the frontside direction. The trick is performed by popping the tail and guiding the board with the front foot while jumping and spinning the board.
Backside Pop Shove-it
The backside pop shove-it is similar to the regular pop shove-it, but the rider spins the board 180 degrees in the backside direction. The trick is performed by popping the tail and guiding the board with the front foot while jumping and spinning the board.
Boardslide
The boardslide is another trick that involves grinding along a rail or ledge. The rider approaches the obstacle with speed, pops an ollie, and lands with the board perpendicular to the rail, sliding it along the edge until the end of the obstacle.
If you’re interested in learning how to boardslide, check out this helpful guide: Learn How to Boardslide.
50-50 Grind
The 50-50 grind is a trick where the rider grinds along a rail or ledge with both trucks of the board. Then, the rider approaches the obstacle with speed, pops an ollie, and lands with both trucks on the rail, sliding the board along it until the end of the obstacle.
Advanced Skating Tricks
These advanced-level tricks require a high level of skill, precision, and practice to master. They are often used in professional skateboarding competitions and are a testament to the athleticism and creativity of skateboarders. As with any skateboarding trick, safety should always be a top priority, and riders should wear proper protective gear and practice in safe environments.
Heelflip
The heelflip is a trick where the board is flipped with a heel-side kick, spinning 360 degrees along the board’s axis. The trick is performed by jumping with both feet, kicking the board with the heel of the back foot while using the front foot to guide the board in a 360-degree spin.
If you’re interested in learning Heelflip, check out this helpful guide: Learn How to Heelflip.
Kickflip
The kickflip is similar to the heelflip, but the board is flipped with a toe-side kick. The trick is performed by jumping with both feet, kicking the board with the toe of the front foot while using the back foot to guide the board in a 360-degree spin.
To learn Kickflip, check out this helpful guide: Learn How to Kickflip.
Varial Flip
The varial flip is a trick where the board is flipped with a shuvit motion and a kickflip combined. The trick is performed by jumping with both feet, popping the board, spinning it 180 degrees along the board’s axis with a shuvit motion, and then flipping it 360 degrees with a kickflip motion.
360 Flip
The 360 flip is a trick in which the board is flipped and spun 360 degrees along two axes simultaneously. The trick is performed by jumping with both feet, popping the board, flipping it 360 degrees along the board’s axis with a kickflip motion, and then spinning it 360 degrees along the vertical axis with a heelflip motion.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When learning any skateboarding trick, it’s common to make mistakes along the way. Here are some common mistakes to avoid when attempting any of the beginner, intermediate, or advanced tricks mentioned:
- Many skaters hesitate when attempting a new trick, leading to inconsistency and mistakes. It’s important to fully commit to the trick and follow through with the motion to increase the chances of success.
- Incorrect foot placement can result in loss of balance, unstable landings, and even injuries. Therefore, practicing proper foot placement and keeping your feet in the right position throughout the trick is important.
- Many skaters rush or delay their movements, which can result in failed attempts. Therefore, it’s important to practice each trick’s timing and ensure all movements are executed smoothly and efficiently.
- Body position is another crucial factor in successfully executing a trick. Skaters should maintain a centered and balanced body position throughout the trick to ensure stability and control.
- Many skaters make the mistake of giving up too quickly or not putting enough time and effort into practicing. Yet, consistent practice is crucial in improving your skills and avoiding mistakes.
Conclusion
There are many tricks to learn and master, regardless of skill level. However, by starting with the easy skateboard tricks, such as the Ollie, Kickturn, and Backside 180, skaters can develop a strong foundation for learning more advanced tricks like the Heelflip and Kickflip.
If you are new to skateboarding, take your time with the learning curve. You can improve your skills and become a better skater with patience and dedication. And for those who are more experienced, remember to continue challenging yourself and pushing your limits.
We hope you found this guide on skateboarding tricks for beginners helpful. Please let us know in the comments below if you have any feedback or suggestions for future articles. And if you found this article helpful, please share it with your friends and followers on social media.
