Understanding the Ollie
The Ollie is one of the fundamental tricks on a skateboard and is the basis for many other more advanced tricks. It is essentially a jumping motion that allows you to lift both the skateboard and yourself off the ground. To perform an ollie, you need to understand the basic mechanics of the trick.
Foot Position and Setup
Proper foot positioning is crucial when learning how to ollie. Start by positioning your front foot parallel to the skateboard, with the ball of your foot just behind the front bolts. Your back foot should be positioned on the tail of the skateboard, with the heel hanging off slightly.
Once you have your feet in the correct position, bend your knees slightly and prepare for the jump. This setup will give you the leverage you need to pop the board off the ground.
Popping and Sliding
The first part of the ollie involves popping the tail of the skateboard with your back foot. To pop the board, push down hard on the tail with your back foot, using the balls of your toes. This will cause the skateboard to snap against the ground and create the ollie motion.
Simultaneously, slide your front foot up towards the nose of the skateboard. This sliding motion is essential for getting the board to level out in the air. As you slide your front foot, drag it up towards the nose, scraping the grip tape on the board. This sliding motion will help to lift the skateboard off the ground.
Timing and Control
The key to a successful ollie is timing and control. You want to pop and slide in one fluid motion, maintaining balance and control throughout the trick. Practice timing the pop and slide so they happen simultaneously, allowing you to lift the skateboard off the ground.
As you pop and slide, focus on keeping your body centered over the skateboard. This will ensure that you maintain balance and control in the air. Keep your eyes focused on a fixed point in front of you, which will help with balance and stability.
Practice and Progression
Learning how to ollie takes practice and perseverance. Start by practicing the basic mechanics, focusing on getting a good pop and slide. As you become more comfortable with the motion, start working on getting more height and leveling out the board in the air.
It can be helpful to start by practicing the ollie on flat ground before attempting it on obstacles or ramps. This will allow you to focus on the technique without the added challenges of different surfaces or angles.
Don’t get discouraged if it takes time to learn how to ollie. Like any skill, it takes practice and dedication to improve. Keep pushing yourself and you’ll eventually master this fundamental skateboarding trick.
