To push on a longboard, place one foot on the board and push the ground with the other foot while maintaining balance. Longboarding offers an exciting way to commute and navigate the streets.
However, it may seem challenging, especially when starting as a beginner. One of the fundamental skills is pushing, which propels the board forward and initiates momentum. Pushing on a longboard might seem simple, but it requires proper technique, balance, and practice. In this article, we’ll guide you through the proper approach to push on a longboard effectively. We’ll also discuss the best practices and common mistakes to avoid while pushing on a longboard. With the right guidance and sufficient practices, you can efficiently navigate the streets and enjoy the sport.
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Why Pushing Technique Matters
Longboarding is an incredibly thrilling activity that is becoming increasingly popular across the world. Cruising on a longboard is not only a great mode of transportation, but it is also an excellent way to exercise and have fun. One of the fundamental aspects of longboarding is pushing, even if it is simply to start cruising.
Proper pushing technique significantly impacts the rider’s speed, acceleration, and the longevity of the board. In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of proper pushing technique and its benefits.
Importance Of Proper Pushing Technique
Pushing correctly is critical in longboarding as it directly affects the rider’s speed, stability, and balance. Proper pushing technique involves pushing with the foot towards the back of the board while maintaining balance on the other foot. It is essential to keep your weight evenly distributed between both feet while pushing.
Engaging the core muscles is also crucial for maintaining balance. If the rider pushes too hard, the board’s speed will increase, making it challenging to maintain balance. On the other hand, if the rider pushes too lightly, the board’s speed will not increase as expected, making it difficult to achieve the desired momentum.
Ultimately, mastering the right pushing technique will save the rider energy, prevent accidents and make the ride more enjoyable.
Benefits Of Proper Pushing Technique
Proper pushing technique comes with several advantages.
- Greater control: riders who have mastered the correct pushing technique can control their board better, providing a smoother ride.
- Preservation of board: using improper pushing techniques can damage the board, reducing its lifespan. Hence, proper pushing techniques preserve the board, increasing the longevity.
- Efficiency: using the correct pushing technique, riders will achieve maximum acceleration with minimum effort. This efficiency is particularly important for longer commutes or rides that require more extended effort.
- More enjoyable ride: when riders push correctly, they gain more significant control over the board, which translates to a more enjoyable, smooth ride.
Proper pushing technique is a crucial aspect of longboarding, significantly affecting a rider’s speed, stability, and balance. It is essential to master the proper pushing techniques, such as balancing weight evenly between both feet and engaging core muscles, to enjoy longboarding effectively.
Proper pushing techniques also come with benefits such as greater control, preservation of board, efficiency, and more comfortable and more enjoyable rides.
Getting Started: Proper Stance And Body Positioning
Longboarding is a fun way to travel around town and explore new places. Pushing on a longboard is an essential skill you must master whether you’re commuting, carving, or cruising. In this blog post, we will explore the proper stance and body positioning you need to push on a longboard.
This guide will help you get started, so let’s dive in!
Stance And Posture
The first thing you need to consider when longboarding is your stance and posture. Proper stance and posture are key to maintaining balance while riding your longboard.
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, and keep them perpendicular to the board.
- Your knees should be slightly bent to absorb any bumps or shocks.
- Keep your back straight, and avoid bending forward or leaning backward.
- Relax your arms and let them hang naturally at your sides.
Foot Placement On The Board
Foot placement is essential to controlling the longboard while pushing.
- Position your front foot in the center of the board. This will give you better control over the board while pushing.
- Place your back foot on the tail of the board, with your toes hanging slightly off the edge.
- Angle your back foot slightly outward, pointing it towards the ground.
Center Of Gravity
Your center of gravity is the point in your body where your weight is evenly distributed. Proper center of gravity helps with balance and stability while pushing on a longboard.
- Keep your center of gravity low by bending your knees slightly.
- Avoid leaning too far forward or backward, as this can cause instability.
- Use your core muscles to stabilize your body and maintain a proper center of gravity.
Now that you have an understanding of proper stance and body positioning for pushing on a longboard, you can confidently hone in and master this essential skill. Perfecting your stance, foot placement and center of gravity will make you a better, safer longboarder.
With a little practice, you’ll be pushing on your longboard like a pro in no time.
LEARN HOW TO LONGBOARD: The Basics
The Different Pushing Techniques
Longboarding is a popular outdoor activity that offers a fun way to get around town, exercise, and enjoy nature. Pushing is a crucial part of longboarding, and mastering the different pushing techniques can improve your speed and overall performance. In this blog post, we will discuss the various pushing techniques you can use when longboarding.
Let’s get started with the different push techniques that every longboarder should know about.
Regular Stance Push
The regular stance push technique is the most common and straightforward pushing technique.
- Stand on your longboard with your front foot facing forward and your back foot at a slight angle.
- Bend your knees slightly and keep your weight on your back foot.
- Push forward with your back foot in a smooth motion.
- Transfer your weight to your front foot after each push.
- Repeat the process to maintain control and speed.
Mongo Push
The mongo push technique is often used by beginners, but it can also be helpful for experienced longboarders.
- Stand with your feet unusually close to each other and your toes pointed in the direction you want to go.
- Place your back foot on the tail of your longboard in a perpendicular position.
- Push forward with your front foot in a smooth motion.
- Move your back foot to the regular stance for better control.
- Repeat the process to maintain speed and control.
Switch Push
The switch push technique is best used when you want to change your stance or foot positioning while riding your longboard.
- Stand on your longboard with your opposite foot facing forward and your stance reversed.
- Bend your knees slightly and keep your weight on your back foot.
- Push forward with your back foot in a smooth, curve motion.
- Shift your weight to your front foot after each push.
- Repeat the process to maintain control and speed.
Mastering the different pushing techniques can help you improve your longboarding experience. The regular stance push, mongo push, and switch push are three of the most popular techniques used by longboarders to maintain control, speed, and consistency. Start by practicing each pushing technique and choose the one that works best for you.
Happy riding!
Learning How To Push Step-By-Step
Longboarding is a fun and exciting sport that people of all ages can enjoy. However, before hitting the streets, it is crucial to learn how to push properly. Learning how to push might seem intimidating at first, but with the right technique and practice, it’s easy to master.
Here is a step-by-step guide to help you learn how to push on a longboard.
Weight Distribution
Before pushing your longboard, you need to make sure your weight is distributed correctly.
- Stand with your feet perpendicular to each other on the board.
- Keep your front foot facing forward and place it towards the front of the board.
- Place your back foot on the board with your toes hanging off the tail.
- Keep your knees slightly bent.
Foot Placement
Correct foot placement is crucial when it comes to pushing your longboard.
- Place your back foot on the ground in a way that it’s perpendicular to your board.
- Plant your foot base firmly on the ground.
- Keep your foot between the board and your push foot.
Setting Up For The Push
Setting up for the push is essential to ensure maximum efficiency.
- Glide your front foot towards the back foot.
- Transferring your weight onto your front foot, lean forward.
- Keep your knee slightly bent.
- Keep your back foot on the board ready to push.
The Pushing Motion
Now that you’ve set up correctly, it’s time to push.
- Transfer your weight onto your back foot.
- Keep your foot parallel to the board.
- Push down on the ground with your backfoot while shifting your weight onto your front foot.
- Extend your leg as far as you can while keeping your knee straight.
- Pull your back foot onto the board.
Pushing on a longboard might take some time to perfect, so practice it daily for better results. With these tips in mind, you’ll be pushing your longboard with ease in no time!
Tips And Tricks For Improving Pushing Technique
Longboarding is popular among adrenaline junkies looking for a thrilling ride. The sport is not only fun, but it’s an excellent workout that improves your balance and coordination. To push yourself forward, it’s essential to have an excellent pushing technique.
This article focuses on tips and tricks that will help you improve your pushing technique, making your ride smoother and enjoyable.
Strengthening Your Legs
Strengthening your legs is crucial in longboarding, as it provides the power to push the board forward.
- Squats: do standard squats or single-leg squats to build leg muscles and increase power.
- Lunges: alternating lunges help tone and strengthen your leg muscles.
- Calf raises: especially important for the pushing foot, calf raises help to build stronger calf muscles.
Coordination Exercises
Coordination exercises not only help improve your pushing technique but also balance and control.
- Balancing exercises: stand on one foot and shift your weight onto that foot until you can hold the balance for a while. Switch sides and repeat.
- Yoga: practicing yoga can help improve your balance and coordination.
- Wobble board training: using a wobble board helps train your balance, making it easier to stay on the board and push.
Practicing With A Friend
Practicing with a friend is an excellent way to improve your pushing technique. You can observe and learn from each other’s technique and offer helpful tips.
- Have your friend follow you with their board while you push at a moderate pace.
- Ask them to observe your pushing technique and offer feedback on how to improve.
- Take turns pushing and observing each other.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
Here are some common mistakes that beginners should avoid when trying to improve their pushing technique:
- Pushing with your toes: pushing with your toes can make you lose balance and control. Instead, push with the ball of your foot.
- Not keeping your back leg straight: keep your back leg straight to maximize the power of the push.
- Pushing too hard: pushing too hard can make the board unstable, making it harder to control.
Improving your pushing technique takes time and practice, but it’s worth it. With these tips and tricks, you’ll be able to push further and longer, making your longboarding experience more enjoyable.
Conclusion
As you can see, pushing on a longboard is more than just a simple motion of kicking the ground to gain speed. It requires proper technique, balance, and coordination to achieve a smooth and efficient ride. By following the steps and tips we’ve mentioned, you’ll be able to master the proper way of pushing on a longboard.
Remember to practice consistently and take the necessary safety precautions to avoid any accidents. With patience, determination, and discipline, you can definitely become an expert longboarder and enjoy the many benefits of this exciting sport. Happy riding!
