How To Ollie
One of the most exciting parts of learning how to skate is getting the board into the air. When pushing and turning have been mastered, the next step is learning some tricks. The ollie is the base root of over 100 tricks in skateboarding.
To learn how to ollie, first start in either gravel or grass. This will take the focus off of rolling and balance and into the formation and process of the trick. To start, get used to lifting the front of the board up. This would, essentially be like doing a short manual. After practicing this several times in the grass, then get used to taking the board from flat position to all of the weight on the tail. Your front two wheels should be as high up as the can go.
After doing this, continue trying to do this quicker and quicker. Eventually getting to the point where you are putting effort into quickly bring the board to Position 1 of the ollie. Position 1 has the front two wheels as high as they can go and the tail touching the ground.
The next step is to take the board into Position 2. Position 2 means the entire board will be airborne and flat. In thie position, nothing should be touching the ground. The hardest part is learning the transition from Position 1 to position 2. This is all about timing.
Position 1 will only be for a fraction of a second. If you are keeping the tail touching the ground, you are trying to keep it there too long. The tail should simply pop off of the ground. This will make a popping sound (especially once your are on the pavement). After hearing, the pop, drag your front foot directly forwad to the nose. Keep in mind to what until the board lifts high enough in the front, prior to doing so.
This article was written by Rob Dunfey, owner of GoSkate.com, a nationwide skateboard lesson service that comes to your closest skate park. Available in all 50 states.
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