Tips on Riding Switch on a Skateboard

In skateboarding, the first thing that you must learn is to determine your stance. If you ride with your left foot forward you are "regular foot," while riding with your right foot forward makes you a "goofy foot." Riding switch stance --- or simply "switch" in skate terms --- is when you ride the opposite way that you would normally ride.

  1. Stay Centered

    • Anytime you ride your skateboard, you need to keep your weight centered to avoid falling off. Keeping your weight centered comes pretty naturally while riding regular, but staying centered while riding switch may be a little awkward at first. Just remember to keep your shoulders square and directly above your board; try too not lean to far forward or too far back.

    Relax

    • Relax and stay loose while riding switch. Do not stiffen your body, and remember to bend your knees slightly. Try not to think about riding switch, just let it come naturally. The faster you go, the more you need to crouch and be aware of anything in your path, especially tiny rocks. Try to picture yourself riding regular, where you would shift your weight and how you would lean into turns, and then reverse everything.

    Practice Makes Perfect

    • The more you ride switch, the faster you will become comfortable. If you are using your skateboard for transportation --- perhaps skating to the store or home from school --- practice riding switch. Learn to push with your opposite foot and balance yourself as you place your foot back on the board. Long, flat areas are great for strengthening your switch-riding skills. Do not get lazy and mango push --- pushing off with your front foot --- while learning to ride switch. Always keep your front foot centered on the front trucks and push off with your back foot.

    Practice Simple Tricks

    • Once you get a feel of riding switch, start learning simple tricks. Make sure you are comfortable riding switch at a moderate speed before attempting tricks. Some of the easiest tricks to learn switch are ollies and pop shove its. Try to mirror the same basic moves as you learned them in your normal stance. Since your back foot will be your weaker foot, remember to pop harder than you normally would.