Novice Skateboard Tricks

Tricks for the novice skateboarder are not as complicated as they seem. Combining a few basic tricks makes for a spectacular maneuver. With just a little practice and some fundamental tricks, you will look like a pro. When learning new tricks, always wear a helmet, wrist guards, and knee and elbow pads.

Railstand

A railstand is when you flip the board on end from standing and land on both wheels. There are two types of railstands: toeside and heelside. In a toeside railstand, you hang your toes over the grip tape side of the board. To do a toeside railstand, put both feet over each truck. Push down with your feet toeside until the wheels under your heels begin to rise. As the board moves forward toward 90 degrees, give the board a little push and hop up on both wheels. To land the trick, give the board a push toward your heels, slightly hop as the board descends and land with both feet over each truck.

The heelside has a slightly different foot position. With your front foot, put your toe on the edge of the back side of the board, back foot with your heel on the edge of the front side of the board. Push down with your front foot as you scoop up the board with your back foot, jump up slightly and land with both feet on the wheels. To complete the trick, push forward with your toes until the board starts falling forward, hop up and land with both feet.

Casper

You perform a casper from a railstand, flipping the board upside-down onto your feet and then flipping it again, landing with both feet on the deck. From a heelside railstand, hang your front toe off a bit, and put all your weight on your back foot. With your front foot, put your toe in the center of the grip tape in the middle of the truck bolts. In one motion, hop slightly on your right foot, flipping the board upside-down onto your feet; your back foot should be on top of the tail, and your front foot should be under the front trucks. To complete the trick, lift up slightly with your front foot, scoop and flip the board while slightly jumping off the ground, and land with both feet on the deck.

Boneless

You execute the boneless trick while moving, jumping the board into the air while still holding on to the board. Start peddling the board, not too fast. Keep your rear foot on the tail, and the other foot in the middle of the board, just below the front truck bolts. While moving, push down on the tail firmly while planting your front foot on the ground. As the front wheels leave the ground, jump up while grabbing your board. Keep your rear foot on the tail at all times. While descending, put your front foot back on the board and land flat, and when landing, bend both knees to absorb the impact.