Beginners must start somewhere. If you want to learn how to skate, but can't tell an ollie from an elbow, you've come to the right place. Start taking your first steps, learning to stand on the board and ride it easily without falling. Check out this article for useful tips on techniques to follow and to really learn how to use a skateboard.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Learning to Stand on the Board
Step 1. Try to stand on the board without falling
There is no right way to skate, so place it on a stable spot on the ground, like a lawn or even a carpet, where it won't slide off easily, and figure out which position is most comfortable for you. Put one foot in front of the other, roughly aligning them with the screws of the trucks.
- For Regular foot we mean that position in which the left foot is in front of the right. This means that you will have to move using your right foot, keeping the other on the skate.
- If, on the other hand, the supporting foot is the right one, the position is said Goofy foot; in this case, you will have to push yourself with the left. Despite the name, there is nothing strange about this position.
- Mongo foot it is more unusual, and denotes that position in which the front foot is used to push. For most skaters this is the most uncomfortable position, but if that's okay with you, use it! There is no wrong way.
Step 2. Try giving a push
On a flat concrete surface, step onto the board with your front foot while the other foot makes a long, steady motion to give yourself momentum.
Initially, beginners often tend to give a lot of short "taps" before leaving, instead of long thrusts. Instead, a larger, longer movement will allow you to move smoothly while staying balanced
Step 3. Get into the driving position
Once you have started to move, move your front foot to the side (much like when you were practicing to stay standing) and gently place the other foot on the tail at the bottom of the skate. The knees must be slightly bent, but in general the body must remain vertical, with the back very straight, in order to maintain balance correctly.
- In a correct driving position, the front foot must be just behind the screws of the truck, the rear one on the tail of the skate. It is the most stable and safest position.
- This is the hardest thing to learn when you are at the very beginning, but the good news is that you will be able to successfully use your skate as soon as you understand how to do it. Do not fear!
Step 4. Learn to turn
To turn, shift your weight back and forth by moving around your ankles, depending on where you are and whether you want to turn left or right. The amount of force to use will depend on how tight the trucks are and how much you want to turn. Practice on a flat surface: push yourself, move into a riding position, and finally make a smooth turn, avoiding falling. This type of curve is the most common technique and is called "carving".
To quickly avoid something or make a tight turn that is not possible with "carving", learning the technique of "kickturning" can be helpful. Apply some pressure to the tail of the skate with your rear foot (so that the front wheels lift slightly off the ground) and rotate your body in the direction you want to turn. This should be done in one motion. Be careful not to put too much pressure on the tail, otherwise you risk the board slipping off. Furthermore, it is probably not a good idea to perform this technique at high speed, perhaps during a steep descent
Step 5. Try to stop
There are many ways to stop a skate, and many of them are quite complicated. For a beginner, the easiest way is to slow down gradually, putting one foot on the ground to stop, or take advantage of the tail of the board.
To stop with the tail of the skate, shift most of your weight onto the back foot, leaning on it and scratching it on the ground until the board stops. Some people don't like braking like this because they don't want to ruin their skate, but some models - especially the less curved ones - feature a plastic brake designed to help stop, a useful feature for beginners
Step 6. Don't think about the tricks for now
The biggest mistake that prevents beginners from really learning to skate is jumping straight to ollie before learning the basics. You will get there, with practice, but as you learned to play a simple guitar chord before wowing everyone with tapping solos, you need to learn to move around the board and ride it smoothly. Before you jump off the skate, you need to know how to stay on it.
Part 2 of 3: Keep practicing
Step 1. Learn to fall
No skater has ever fallen off the board. It can be disheartening, but learning how to fall correctly can help you not actually get hurt. Always wear a helmet, to keep your head safe, and try to use wrist guards, which are useful for bearing the weight of most falls and avoiding bad scratches.
The most common problem is that it often happens that you run over pebbles that get stuck between the wheels, or hit a crack that makes you suddenly lose your balance. Be very careful about the ground you are moving on, but always keep your head up to stay balanced as much as possible
Step 2. Run alongside other skaters
Like music and other sports, skateboarding is easier to learn when you have good role models to follow. Engage with experienced skaters so you can observe and learn as much as you can, getting tips on tricks to perform over time. Ask for advice and don't cheat about your experience level.
Make sure you don't get sucked into something you're not ready to do. If you go out with a group of guys practicing ollieing up a flight of stairs, you could end up getting seriously hurt if until then you've only learned how to stop without falling. Slow down. You will get there in time
Step 3. Watch lots of skateboarding videos
Videos of this type are at the heart of the skate culture. Compilations and video tutorials are available for free online. You can find virtuosic performances and skater feats, as well as helpful tips for beginners. Learn how to improve your technique and perform tricks with these videos.
Step 4. Try to use the skateboard downhill
Being guided by gravity is an important step in becoming an expert skater. The first time you may be afraid, but learning to deal with the situation and maintain control of the board is one of the first things to be able to manage.
To keep your balance, squat down on the board and use your arms to avoid swinging from side to side. Keep your ankles as still as possible, as even the smallest movements at high speeds create large fluctuations, increasing the chances of losing your balance
Step 5. Only try tricks when you are ready
When you have a good confidence on the board and can use it regularly without falling, you should be ready to try a couple of tricks. They are what you are training for, after all! The best and easiest tricks for beginners are:
- Ollie
- Grind
- Shove-it (not pop shove-it, why don't you do the air jump)
- Kickflip
Step 6. Keep practicing
Hold on! Learning to skate clearly takes time and practice. It is not something you become able to do overnight, but by working it calmly and practicing as much as possible, you will improve and feel more comfortable on the board. Don't be discouraged.
Part 3 of 3: Get the Equipment
Step 1. Choose the skateboard that best suits your interests
There are many styles and brands of boards available to suit every level of experience and interest. Visit a local skate shop to browse the models on sale, and let yourself be advised by the most experienced skaters in choosing the board that best allows you to get closer to the experience you want to live:
- THE longboard they are perfect for getting around, and even beginners find them pretty easy to maneuver. If you are interested in a comfortable skate that simply takes you from one place to another, the longboard is definitely the best choice. It is not a trick board, so if you are interested in ollies or other stunts this is not the best option.
- The classic skateboards are the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of a skateboard. With tapered ends perfect for tricks and jumps, and an easy and smooth handling, these boards are great for moving at great speed, although more practice is needed to maintain balance, especially at the beginning. If you want to perform in a half-pipe, however, this is the right board for you.
- The custom tables they are the ones you can create and assemble yourself with basic tools. Generally, experienced skaters want everything on their board to be tailor-made; wheels, trucks, bearings, even the board itself. If you're just starting out, you probably won't start building one right away.
Step 2. Make sure the board is set up correctly for a beginner
During the early days it is not advisable that the board is particularly curved, nor that the trucks are too soft. Similar features are good for tricks, but keeping your balance and sticking to the board will be much more complicated. Instead, your skate will need to be relatively flat, with fairly stiff trucks.
Step 3. Buy a good pair of skate shoes
Riding on the board with military boots or flip-flops is a good idea for hurting yourself and spraining an ankle. Skate shoes have a sole that grips the board and provides support and protection, making them ideal for learning how to use it. Vans, Airwalk and Etnies are all skate shoe brands, although most sportswear brands now produce shoes that are perfect for this purpose.
If you can't find any specific skate brands, look for a type of shoe that has a flat sole. Avoid the knurled sole typical of tennis or running shoes, in favor of something more like a boat shoe, with a smooth and even surface on the sole
Step 4. Always wear a helmet and protective clothing
It is absolutely essential to get a helmet that has a smooth surface and a snug chin strap to protect your head. You are likely to fall several times, so it's important to think about your safety and wear a helmet. Some are pretty cool too!
- Knee pads, cuffs, and elbow pads are also common protective clothing, especially when you're just starting out. When you feel more comfortable on the board, you probably won't need to wear protection every time you go out on the skate, but to learn a new trick, and especially until you are comfortable with the basics, extra protection is always a good one. idea.
- There's nothing unfortunate about avoiding expensive emergency room trips, especially while you're still learning. Do not be swayed when they tell you that "real skaters" do not use protective systems, whoever tells you this is completely and stupidly wrong.
Step 5. Find a good place to start skating
The ideal place is where you can find smooth concrete, without too many bumps or cracks to disturb you as you try to learn. Once you get used to such a surface, you will be able to tackle more uneven ones without risk, but it is easier to start in a parking lot or on an avenue, where it is flatter.
Unfortunately, it is increasingly difficult to find places that welcome skaters with open arms, given the unfair reputation they have in some cities. Don't contribute to the bad reputation of the skaters: always make sure you have permission to circulate where you are practicing with the board, and avoid entering private property
Warnings
- Always use protective clothing (helmet and various types of padding) and train with another skater. If you are not careful you could get very injured while doing stunts on concrete - especially if you are a beginner.
- Do not skate where it is prohibited.
