To pump on a longboard, shift your weight from the front to the back foot while using your legs to push and pull the board in a continuous motion. Longboarding is a great way to explore the outdoors, get some exercise, and have a blast while doing it.
One of the most important skills you’ll need to learn as a longboarder is how to pump. Pumping is a technique that allows you to generate speed and maintain momentum without pushing off the ground with your foot. Instead, you use your legs to push and pull the board back and forth in a continuous motion while shifting your weight from the front to the back foot. It takes some practice to get the hang of it, but once you do, pumping can make your rides smoother, faster, and even more fun. In this article, we’ll cover the basics of how to pump on a longboard.
Credit: themilsource.com
Understanding The Basics Of Pumping On A Longboard
Longboarding is a thrilling adventurous activity, and once you get the hang of it, the experience can be exhilarating. As a longboarder, you need to learn the fundamental techniques that will make your rides safer and more enjoyable. One such technique is pumping on a longboard.
In this blog post, we’ll delve into what pumping on a longboard is and why it’s an essential skill for any longboarder.
Definition Of Pumping On A Longboard
Pumping on a longboard is a technique that involves using your body weight to propel the board forward without the need for pushing off the ground. It is a technique that utilizes the board’s flex and your body’s movement to generate forward momentum.
How It Differs From Other Riding Techniques
Pumping on a longboard differs from other riding techniques such as pushing and carving. Pushing involves using your foot to propel the board forward by pushing off the ground. On the other hand, carving involves making turns by leaning the board in a specific direction while shifting your weight.
Pumping allows you to ride long distances without getting tired and can also help in gaining speed without going downhill.
The Muscle Groups Involved
Pumping on a longboard requires the use of several muscle groups in your body. These include your calves, thighs, hip flexors, and core muscles. Your calf muscles work to push the board down while your thighs and hip flexors push the board up.
The core muscles help maintain balance and stability while pumping.
Importance Of Positioning On The Board
Positioning is crucial when pumping on a longboard. It’s important to position your feet correctly; you should place your front foot closer to the board’s nose while your back foot should be near the tail. This positioning helps you generate the desired level of flex in the board, which is essential for efficient pumping.
Additionally, you should keep your knees bent, your shoulders aligned with your feet, and your weight evenly distributed between your feet to maintain balance while pumping.
Understanding the basics of pumping on a longboard is essential for anyone looking to improve their longboarding skills. It involves using your body weight to gain speed, ultimately making long-distance riding manageable with less effort. With the above information, you’ll be well on your way to mastering the art of pumping on a longboard.
Remember to keep practicing, and soon enough, you’ll be gliding like a pro!
Getting Started
Longboarding can be a thrilling and exciting experience, but it requires specific skills and techniques to execute it smoothly. One essential skill is pumping, which involves continuously generating forward momentum without the need for pushing off the ground. If you’re a beginner, pumping on a longboard can be challenging, so we’ve put together this comprehensive guide to help you get started.
Let’s dive in!
Choosing The Right Board For Pumping
Selecting the right longboard is essential for successful pumping.
- Choose a longboard with a flexible deck to provide you with maximum agility and comfort while pumping.
- Go for a board with a long wheelbase and a wide standing platform that allows for better weight distribution and stability.
- Low profile decks, drop-through trucks, and wheel cutouts may provide better traction and reduce the risk of wheel bite.
Optimal Trucks And Wheels For Pumping
The type of trucks and wheels used will affect your longboard’s performance, making it crucial to select them carefully.
- Choose trucks with a medium-to-soft bushing hardness for better pivot responsiveness and turning ability.
- Reverse kingpin trucks with a lower angle (around 50 degrees) provide better maneuverability, making them ideal for pumping.
- Wheels with a hardness of between 75a to 85a and a larger diameter of around 70mm increase speed and roll further with each pump.
Importance Of Proper Safety Gear
Protective gear is crucial for all riders, but especially for beginners.
- A certified helmet is a must-have to protect your head from any serious head injuries.
- Knee and elbow pads, along with wrist guards, help protect your limbs in case of a fall.
- Consider wearing slide gloves to protect your hands and enable more controlled turns and slides.
Finding A Suitable Location To Practice
Finding a good location to practice pumping is key to gaining confidence and improving your pumping skills.
- Look for a flat, smooth surface with enough space to ride comfortably and safely.
- Avoid heavily trafficked areas or intersections, as they increase the risk of accidents or collisions.
- Choose a location with low speed limits and minimal traffic.
Now that you’re armed with these tips, it’s time to get out there and start pumping! Remember to take your time, practice regularly, and, most importantly, stay safe while having fun.
The Longboard Beginners GUIDE #3 | Carving and Pumping!
Step-By-Step Instructional Guide On How To Pump On A Longboard
Longboarding is a thrilling and exciting activity. It offers a great way to explore the outdoors, stay fit, and have fun. One crucial skill that every longboarder must learn is pumping. Pumping is the art of gaining speed and maintaining momentum without kicking off the ground.
It takes time to perfect, but once you get it right, it provides an endless stream of joy and helps you enjoy longboarding even more. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to pump on a longboard.
Stance And Foot Positioning
Before we delve into how to pump, let’s start with the proper stance and foot positioning. The stance you take determines the style of riding you want to do, whether it be cruising, carving, or performing tricks.
- Put your feet close to the trucks. One foot should be positioned in front of the front truck bolts, and the other near the back truck bolts.
- Bend your knees to maintain balance while riding.
- Keeping your weight over the front truck helps you turn efficiently.
- Leaning slightly on the back truck helps maintain speed while pumping.
Starting The Pumping Motion
Now that we have the proper stance and foot positioning let’s dive into starting the pumping motion.
- Shift your weight forward, compressing the front truck, and extending the back truck.
- As you extend the back truck, push down with your back foot to propel the board forward.
- As you compress the front truck, pull up with your front foot while bending your knees.
Maintaining Momentum
Once you get into the pumping motion, the goal is to maintain and build momentum.
- Keep your weight forward and back foot extended.
- Work on rhythmic movements, using your legs to compress and extend the trucks.
- Try to maintain a consistent speed and rhythm.
Speed Generation Tips
Generating speed while pumping is a skill that takes time to perfect.
- Pump more with your back foot, pushing down and forward.
- Transition from big pumps to smaller ones to maintain a steady speed.
- Stay low by bending your knees, keeping your weight over the front truck.
Turning While Pumping
Last but not least, let’s discuss turning while pumping. Turning while pumping adds an additional level of difficulty to the skill.
- Turn your shoulders and hips in the direction you want to go.
- Lean into the turn, keeping your weight over the front truck.
- Use smooth, continuous pumping motions to make the turn.
With these simple steps, you can learn how to pump on a longboard. Remember to stay safe and wear proper equipment like helmets, pads, and gloves. With practice and perseverance, you can master this skill and enjoy your longboarding experience even more.
Advanced Pumping Techniques
Longboarding is a fun and exciting outdoor activity that encourages fitness and balance. While cruising on a longboard is enjoyable for beginners, advanced riders are always looking for new techniques to improve their skills. Pumping is one of the most essential longboarding techniques that can help you move and accelerate without continuously pushing with your foot.
In this article, we will dive into advanced pumping techniques and explore different methods to maximize your longboarding experience.
S Pumping
S pumping is an excellent way to build up speed and maintain momentum while riding. It might take some time to master this technique, but the rewards are worth it.
- Keep your feet in the proper stance and lean your weight forward.
- Practice shifting your weight from one side of the board to the other in an s-like motion.
- Use your shoulders to initiate the pumping motion and maintain a steady rhythm.
- Keep your knees bent and your core engaged to maintain balance.
- Focus on keeping your movements smooth and fluid to avoid any sudden jerks or stops.
J Pumping
J pumping is another pumping technique that involves curving your motion in a slight j shape. This technique can help you generate more speed and power while reducing your foot fatigue.
- Similar to s pumping, keep your feet in the proper stance and lean your weight forward.
- Initiate the pumping motion by rotating your hips and upper body to generate a j-shape.
- Practice timing your movements with your board’s natural rhythm to avoid disrupting your momentum.
- Keep your core tight and your feet planted to maintain balance and avoid wobbling.
- Keep your movements smooth and relaxed to avoid any unnecessary tension or stress on your joints.
T Pumping
T pumping is an advanced pumping technique that involves combining both s and j pumping movements to create a t-shaped pattern. This technique is more challenging than the previous two, but it can help you achieve faster speed and better acceleration.
- Start with your feet in the proper stance and lean your weight forward.
- Initiate the pumping motion by bending and rotating your hips in an s-shaped pattern.
- As you follow through with the s-shape, pivot and curve your motion in a j-shape to create a t-shaped pattern.
- Keep your core tight and your feet planted to maintain balance and avoid wobbling.
- Focus on keeping your movements fluid and relaxed to maintain momentum and avoid sudden jerks.
Carving And Pumping
Carving and pumping are two techniques that work together to create smooth and effortless motion on your longboard. Carving involves making slight turns and slashes while riding, while pumping involves shifting your weight from side to side to generate momentum.
- Start by mastering carving and pumping separately before attempting to combine them.
- Practice creating fluid and natural curves by leaning your weight into turns.
- Use your shoulders and hips to initiate pumping movements while maintaining your carving motion.
- Keep your knees bent, and your core engaged to maintain balance and reduce tension.
- Focus on creating a rhythmic motion that flows smoothly without any sudden stops or starts.
Combining Pumping With Other Riding Techniques
Finally, to take your longboarding skills to the next level, try combining pumping with other riding techniques like sliding, jumping, and grinding.
- Start by mastering each technique separately before attempting to combine them.
- Focus on creating smooth and fluid transitions between each movement.
- Use your body’s natural momentum and rhythm to maintain balance and reduce tension.
- Keep your movements relaxed and fluid to minimize the risk of injury.
- Practice in a safe environment and wear the necessary safety gear to avoid accidents.
Mastering advanced pumping techniques is essential to improve your longboarding skills. With practice and patience, you can learn to pump efficiently and smoothly, making your rides more enjoyable and fun. Remember to start with the basics, familiarize yourself with proper stance and foot placement, and always wear appropriate safety gear.
Happy longboarding!
Troubleshooting Common Pumping Mistakes
Common Errors Novice Pumpers Make
Pumping on a longboard can be a bit daunting for beginners, but it’s a skill that you’ll need to learn to get the most out of your ride. If you’ve been practicing for a while and are still not quite nailing it, there’s a good chance that you’re making some common mistakes.
Here are some of the most common errors novice pumpers make when trying to pump on a longboard:
- Pumping too fast or too slow
- Not using your body weight effectively
- Not keeping your feet in the right position
- Not maintaining a consistent pace
- Not using your arms to help generate power
Finding And Fixing Problems With Form And Posture
Pumping on a longboard requires both good form and proper posture. If you’re experiencing difficulties with your pumping technique, it could be due to issues with either of these.
Here are some tips for finding and fixing problems with form and posture when pumping on a longboard:
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees slightly bent
- Keep your weight centered over the board
- Use your upper body to steer, and your lower body to generate power
- Make sure your front foot is angled towards the nose of the board
- Keep your core engaged and your arms relaxed
Solutions To Overcome Difficulties In Generating Speed
Generating speed is one of the primary goals of pumping on a longboard. If you’re having trouble generating enough speed, there are a few things you can try.
Here are some solutions to overcome difficulties in generating speed when pumping on a longboard:
- Focus on making long, fluid motions with your body
- Try pumping faster or slower to find the sweet spot for your board and riding style
- Practice using your arms to help generate power
- Use a steeper slope to build more speed
- Experiment with different foot positions to find what works best for you
By understanding these common pumping mistakes and how to overcome them, you’ll be well on your way to mastering the art of pumping on a longboard. With a bit of practice and patience, you’ll soon be gliding effortlessly across the pavement and having the time of your life!
Conclusion
Finally, take your time to practice, perfect, and master the art of pumping on your longboard. It may take a few attempts, but with consistent effort and practice, you will soon get the hang of it. Remember to maintain a relaxed stance, engage in fluid movements, and use small and subtle adjustments to create momentum and maintain speed.
With the tips, techniques, and tricks outlined in this post, you’re sure to improve your pumping skills and enjoy a more exhilarating and thrilling ride on your longboard. So, go ahead and hit the streets with confidence, and have fun exploring your newfound pumping abilities!
