How to Backside Slide a Longboard

Longboard skateboards are ideally suited for individuals looking to ride their board more than perform tricks in a park. Although best suited for cruising, a longboard is not without the ability to perform eye-pleasing maneuvers. The backside slide is a longboard trick during which a rider quickly spins the tail of the board around 180-degrees to become the new front side. When mastered, the backside slide is both a quick way to change stance and a trick to impress your friends with.

Instructions

    • 1

      Push off the ground with your rear foot, or ride down a decline so you are traveling quickly. While you do not need to reach top speed, a successful slide is difficult to perform when riding slowly.

    • 2

      Place your feet on the board slightly wider than your shoulders, with your lead foot positioned so the toes of your foot hang off the front edge.

    • 3

      Bend your legs slightly so your are riding in a crouched position.

    • 4

      Shift your weight towards the balls of your feet, initiating a curve in the direction your body is facing.

    • 5

      Twist your upper body toward your front foot and your weight slightly forward.

    • 6

      Press up with both legs, straightening your legs.

    • 7

      Twist your upper body around toward your rear foot as you straighten your legs. This works in conjunction with the explosion from your lower body to initiate the turn.