A List of Skateboard Tricks for a Beginner

Skateboarding is much more than an easy mode of transportation for kids. The sport encompasses an entire subculture of sporting events, music and style. Learning basic tricks is the first step into the larger world of skating, as these tricks serve as the foundation for more complex maneuvers. Remember to practice proper safety—such as wearing helmets and pads—when learning the ropes.

  1. Ollie

    • Ollies serve as the basis on which much of the catalog of skate tricks are built. As such, it's essential for beginners to master the ollie before moving on to other tricks. During an ollie, the skater kicks the tail of his board downward while hopping, making the board jump into the air without removing his feet from the surface. To perform an ollie, stand with knees bent on the board's surface, front foot near the center and back foot near the tail. Cause the board to jump upward with a kick of your rear foot, simultaneously assisting the upward motion by sliding your front foot up the board. Once airborne, level your knees and land firmly on all four wheels. Warm up to ollies by performing them in place, then at half speed, working up to moderate and high speeds. Progress to ollieing off of or onto low surfaces. Complete your training by ollieing over small objects and minor gaps.

    Manual

    • The manual is somewhat like the skateboard equivalent of the bike's wheelie. In this trick, skaters ride the board with the rear wheels on the ground and the front wheels in the air. Balance, weight distribution and foot placement are all key to performing manuals, a building block for beginners. With your back foot on the tail and your front foot just behind the front trucks, put the majority of your weight on the back foot. Do so slowly, while remaining in an upright standing position. Continue to balance your weight as the front wheels rise; simply shift your weight forward using your front foot to end the trick. Practice manuals at moderate speeds on completely flat surfaces, working your way up to faster speeds gradually.

    Kickflip

    • The kickflip—invented by pro skater Rodney Mullen—is a gateway to dozens of trick variations, and a good addition to the beginner's repertoire. As this trick is a bit more advanced than an ollie or manual, don't attempt a kickflip until you're completely comfortable on your board. A kickflip resembles an ollie in that the board jumps off the ground; however, the skater's feet leave the board's surface mid-jump, spinning the board over in the process. Perform a kickflip just as you would an ollie, but when the time comes to slide your front foot forward as the board leaves the ground, flick your foot with some force off the side of the board to cause it to spin over—don't kick downward, allow the board to spin and land with level knees. Practice kickflips standing in place first. When you're completely comfortable, experiment with motion and kickflip off of and onto small heights.