To do a trick on a longboard, start by mastering your balance and foot positioning. Then practice carving, slides and ollies until you feel comfortable attempting more advanced tricks.
Longboarding is an exciting sport that involves cruising, carving, and performing tricks on a board that is longer than a regular skateboard. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced rider, mastering tricks on a longboard requires patience, practice, and skill. If you’re ready to take your longboarding to the next level, learning how to do tricks is an essential step. In this article, we will explore some tips on how to do tricks on a longboard, such as carving, slides, ollies, and more advanced maneuvers that will help you become a skilled rider. With some dedication and hard work, you can become a longboard trick master in no time!
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Getting Started
Longboarding is an excellent way to get outside and enjoy some time in the fresh air while exploring your surroundings. However, longboarding is not only a mode of transportation, but it is also a fun hobby that can be enjoyed by anyone who loves adventure and thrills.
Tricks are one aspect of longboarding that can take your experience to the next level. In this post, we will explore how to do tricks on a longboard, starting with the essentials.
Choosing The Right Longboard For Tricks
Selecting the right longboard for tricks is critical. It would be best to find a board that is designed to cater to your riding style and the type of tricks you’d like to perform.
- Size of the deck: the deck size you choose to ride is crucial, and it varies depending on your height, weight, and the type of tricks you want to do.
- The shape of the deck: different deck shapes accommodate different riding styles. Longboards with a concave shape are ideal for tricks due to their stability and sturdiness.
- Flex: the board’s flexibility is also essential. If you plan to perform tricks that require bouncing off the ground and airtime, you will benefit from a longboard with more flex.
Safety Gear You Will Need
Before we begin learning how to do tricks, it’s important to ensure that you have the proper safety gear. Protective gear will keep you safe in case of accidents.
- Helmet: a helmet is a must-have for any longboarder irrespective of your skill level. Choose a helmet that fits perfectly and is comfortable to wear for extended periods.
- Pads: elbow and knee pads are recommended, especially if you are trying new tricks, or you are not experienced with tricking on a longboard.
- Shoes: you must wear shoes with a decent grip to ensure that you don’t slip off your board during tricks.
How To Stand On A Longboard
Learning to stand correctly on a longboard is the first step to mastering any tricks.
- Position your board in a flat, open area so that you won’t collide with any obstacles.
- Place your leading foot in line with the board’s front truck bolts and your back foot close to the tail.
- Lean slightly forward to maintain balance and keep your knees slightly bent to absorb any bumps.
- Keep your arms in crouching position to maintain balance and stability.
Before attempting any tricks, it’s crucial to ensure that you have the right longboard, the proper safety gear, and that you’ve mastered the right standing posture. Keep practicing until you become comfortable performing essential tricks. With time, you can advance your skill levels to more intricate tricks.
Basic Tricks
Ollie
One of the most basic tricks to master on a longboard is the ollie. It’s a versatile trick that is commonly used to jump over obstacles or for performing impressive tricks.
- Start by placing your front foot near the centre of the board and your back foot at the tail.
- Bend your knees slightly and shift your weight towards your back foot.
- Quickly snap your back foot down towards the tail, while simultaneously jumping with both feet.
- As you jump, slide your front foot towards the nose of the board to level it out mid-air.
- Finally, land both feet back on the board, absorbing the impact with your knees bent.
With practice, you’ll be able to perform an ollie effortlessly and make it a part of your repertoire.
Kickturn
A kickturn is another basic but crucial trick to learn on a longboard. It allows you to make a sharp turn while maintaining your speed.
- Start off by riding slowly and steadily on your longboard.
- Then, shift your weight slightly forward and lift the front wheels off the ground by pushing down on the tail with your back foot.
- While the front wheels are in the air, quickly slide your front foot around to face the direction you want to turn.
- As you do this, turn your head and shoulders in the direction of the turn.
- Finally, engage your back foot to push the board back down and complete the turn.
Remember to practice in an open area and to keep your weight centred over the board to maintain stability.
By mastering the ollie and kickturn, you’ll be able to move on to more advanced tricks and techniques on your longboard.
10 Beginner Longboard Tricks YOU Should Try
Intermediate Tricks
Longboarding is more than just a means of transportation for many. It’s an exciting sport that offers endless tricks and techniques to master. From thrilling downhill rides to impressive freestyle moves, longboarding has something for everyone. For those who have already delved into the basics, intermediate tricks like hippie jumps and no complies open the door to a whole new level of possibilities.
Let’s explore how to do these tricks on a longboard.
Hippie Jump
Hippie jump, also known as an ollie over a standing obstacle, is a fun and flashy trick that can impress anyone watching.
- Find an obstacle such as a cone or a stick that is not too high.
- Approach the obstacle at a moderate speed and crouch down while keeping your back straight.
- As you reach the obstacle, jump with both feet off the board and lift it over the obstacle.
- Once you clear the object, land back on the board and maintain balance.
To make your hippie jump more impressive, incorporate these tips:
- Keep your eyes on the obstacle at all times, not on the board.
- Practice jumping higher and over larger objects.
- Add style to your jump by tweaking your legs, arms, and board.
No Comply
A no comply is a simple yet stylish trick that adds flair to your longboarding game.
- Start by riding with your front foot near the middle of the board and your back foot on the tail.
- Lean slightly backward and pivot your front foot, causing the nose of the board to lift off the ground.
- While the nose is in the air, quickly scoop the tail with your back foot, causing the board to rotate 180 degrees.
- As the board rotates, jump off the back foot and let the board spin around your front foot.
- Catch the board with either foot and land with balance.
Here are some tips to upgrade your no comply skills:
- Practice the motion of lifting the nose of the board and pivoting your front foot until it feels natural.
- Start by doing the no comply while standing still and gradually progress to doing it while moving.
- Add your own personal style by incorporating grab variations or spins.
Practice is key to improving your technique, so keep at it and have fun with intermediate tricks like the hippie jump and no comply. Happy shredding!
Advanced Tricks
Longboarding is more than just cruising around. Advanced riders aim to perfect those awe-inspiring tricks that leave onlookers in amazement. The techniques may seem daunting, but with practice and perseverance, you too can become a master on the board. In this article, we’ll cover two of the most impressive tricks you can learn on your longboard – shuvit and bigspin.
Shuvit
A shuvit involves spinning the board 180 degrees under your feet without lifting off the ground. You’ll need to use your body weight, foot placement, and timing to pull off this trick.
- Keep your feet shoulder-width apart on the board, with your toes over the edge of the tail.
- Pop the tail down and jump off your back foot, simultaneously swinging your front foot around to start the 180 spin.
- Use your front foot to guide the board’s rotation throughout the trick.
- As the board spins, keep your eyes focused on the landing spot to prepare for the catch.
- As it comes back around, land with your feet over the bolts, absorbing the impact with your knees.
Bigspin
The bigspin is a more challenging trick that combines a 360-degree spin with a shuvit, resulting in a stylish and complex maneuver. It requires control, balance, and coordination.
- Plant your front foot at the center of the board, and the back foot over the tail.
- Begin with a small ollie off the back foot, but keep the tail on the ground. This action creates the spin.
- As you spin, use your front foot to lead the shuvit motion 180 degrees.
- Keep your eyes on your feet, and wait for the board to come around.
- Once the board completes a full rotation, use your front foot to catch it.
- Land on the board, and ride away with style and flair.
Mastering these advanced tricks on a longboard will take commitment and practice. But with these tips and tricks, you now have the knowledge to take your longboarding skills to the next level. Keep in mind that these tricks require plenty of patience – don’t get discouraged if it takes a while to get them right.
Practice at your own pace, and always wear protective gear when attempting any advanced trick. Happy riding!
Conclusion
Mastering a trick on a longboard can be an incredibly exciting experience. Not only does it require skill and practice, but it can also give you a sense of accomplishment and boost your confidence. By following the tips above and committing to consistent practice, you can perfect a wide range of tricks on your longboard and even develop some of your own.
It’s important to always prioritize safety and use protective gear, especially when attempting new and challenging tricks. With patience, determination, and the right mindset, there’s no limit to what you can achieve on your longboard. So don’t be afraid to try new things and push yourself to the limit, and most importantly, have fun and enjoy the ride!
