An ollie, which is another name for “popping a skateboard,” is a type of move that involves lifting a skateboard into the air.
Smoothly popping a skateboard is a basic move that every skateboarding fan needs to master as a rite of passage and a stepping stone to doing more advanced moves.
Here are some things to think about if you want to pull this off:
• How to place your feet correctly; • How to jump; • How to hit the tail of the deck; • How to lift the nose of the deck; • How to keep your balance and height;
Things You Need
1. Gear for safety
Make sure you have a good set of protective gear from head to toe before you try to hop on your board and go for a spin. Put your helmet on tight and wear knee pads, elbow pads, and wrist guards to match.
2. Skate Shoes
Designed for skateboarders, skate shoes have durable, shock-absorbing soles that grip your board better than your regular sneakers. They are also stronger where your shoes are most likely to wear out.
3. Your skateboard
Make sure your skateboard is in great shape, since it is the most important piece of gear you will need. To learn how to pop an ollie, you need a strong deck and a good set of trucks and wheels.
How to Pop a Skateboard: Simple Steps
• Put your feet in the right place.
Before you try to pop your skateboard, you need to make sure your feet are in the right place. Start by putting your back foot in the middle of the tail and your front foot in the middle of the board. This position gives you the leverage and momentum you need to lift your skateboard.
• Press down on the back of your board with the right amount of force.
Once your feet are where they should be, quickly put your weight on the back of your board. Do this as quickly as you can so you can get the momentum you need to get moving. As you take off, try to keep your balance.
• Don’t jump until your board has hit the ground.
Start jumping as soon as the back of your board hits the ground. As you jump, the force of your back foot on the tail should push the front of the board up at a diagonal angle. While this is happening, quickly move your front foot up the board so it rests on the nose.
• Get ready to land
Once you are completely airborne and parallel to the ground, your back foot should be on the truck bolts at the back of the board, and your front foot should be on the truck bolts at the front. Making sure your weight is spread out evenly helps you keep your balance as you land, which keeps bad things from happening.
• When your board hits the ground, bend your knees.
Let gravity take over once your board hits the ground. Slowly squat on your board with your knees bent. This also keeps your board from getting thrown off when you land. When your board hits the ground, your legs will feel less of a shock if you squat.
• Practice is a must
It is not easy to figure out how to pop a skateboard. It takes time and a lot of practice to learn how to pop your board or do an ollie. Make popping an ollie part of your skateboarding routine and keep trying until you get it right. Wipeouts and bad landings are part of the game, so always make sure to keep yourself safe.
Check out this video for more tips and tricks on how to make your skateboard go faster.
Extra Tips:
• Keep your back straight and your shoulders in line with the front and back of your deck. This simple but important trick gives you more control and makes your landings smoother.
• Slowly build up your confidence. Even though you want to move quickly and smoothly right away, it takes time, practice, and persistence to pop a good ollie. Once you know where to put your feet and how to move, you’ll be able to pop your board like a pro in no time.
• When you feel more sure of yourself, use your momentum to lift your board even higher by pressing the tail of your board harder and with more force. As you move up, raising your arms helps you get your board even higher.
Conclusion
At first, learning how to pop a skateboard may seem scary and dangerous, but nothing beats the fun and excitement it brings. Imagine how cool it would be to go around handrails and ledges like a boss!
We hope that this step-by-step guide will give you the inspiration and motivation you need to learn how to pop an ollie. Don’t forget to tell your fellow shredders who could also use some help about this. Tell us what you think by leaving your comments and suggestions below. We’d love to hear from you!