How to Get More Speed on a Skateboard

Skateboarding beginners concern themselves with a few basic skills, such as staying upright on the moving board or turning before hitting a wall. After accomplishing the basics, a skateboarder works up to complicated tricks by practicing his agility and increasing his speed. Getting more speed on a skateboard depends heavily on context. To start your board or quickly accelerate, pushing off is the most effective method. Once rolling, a skater may "tic tac" to increase speed without stopping to push. In a half-pipe or bowl, a skateboarder gains speed by exploiting his center of mass through pumping.

Instructions

  1. Pushing Off

    • 1

      Place one foot on the skateboard, behind the front bolt. Place the other foot on the ground, slightly ahead of the first foot. Both feet should point forward, parallel to the board.

    • 2

      Push off from the ground with a smooth, strong motion. Correct any sideways list in the skateboard by leaning the skateboard slightly with your board foot.

    • 3
      A stable stance allows for higher speeds.

      Twist your board foot 90 degrees as you pick your pushing foot off the ground and place it on the back of the board. Both feet should now be perpendicular to your motion, toes pointing toward the side your ground foot began on. For greater stability, keep both feet behind the bolts.

    Tic Tacking

    • 4

      Shift weight to your back foot during continuous rolling. The nose of the skateboard will lift slightly and turn in the direction of your toes.

    • 5

      Counteract the skateboard's movement by leaning strongly into your heels, particularly the front heel. The weight will cause the skateboard to turn in the other direction.

    • 6

      Redistribute your weight back to the back foot. As you take weight off your front foot, the nose will again become light and maneuverable.

    • 7

      Lean weight onto your toes to carve the skateboard in the other direction. Alternate your weight in a steady rhythm to increase speed.

    Pumping

    • 8
      Half-pipes allow skaters to complete lengthy vertical tricks.

      Establish a steady, back-and-forth rhythm on the curved surface of the half-pipe or bowl. Push off to establish your initial speed.

    • 9

      Bend your knees when passing through the flat or bottom portion of the bowl. By crouching down, you will lower your center of mass.

    • 10

      Straighten your legs as you begin the arc. Raising your center of mass requires extra work due to centripetal force, which later will translate into speed.

    • 11

      Maintain the elevated stance until you return to the bottom of the bowl. Continue pumping to increase speed and climb higher in the bowl.