Skateboarding photographer and historian Jim Goodrich cites the origins of the sport as stemming back to the 1920s when adjustments began being made to roller skate technology. Since then, skateboarding has changed greatly into an extreme sport of high-flying tricks and dangerous stunts. Goodrich credits Alan Gelfand with creating the “Ollie pop” trick in 1978, a move that allows a skateboarder to vertically jump his board without the aid of a ramp.
Step 1
Place your back foot on the tail of your skateboard’s deck. The foot is perpendicular to the board, and the ball of your foot rests on the middle of the tail. Place your front foot just behind the front bolts on the board. The arch of your front foot should straddle the skateboard’s lengthwise center.
Step 2
Adjust both of your feet until you strike a balance between standing comfortably on the board and being able to lift the front wheels off the ground by pushing down with your back foot. Practice this motion slowly a few times while keeping the board in place until you get a feel for it.
Step 3
Keep one foot planted on the board and use the other to propel yourself forward. Roll along at a slow speed when you first begin attempting the trick.
Step 4
Push down with your back foot as hard and fast as you can while the board is rolling. As the front side of the board pops into the air, roll your back foot in toward the board so it slides down the tail. You will feel the deck leaving the ground and pulling you into the air.
Step 5
Bring your front foot up the face of the board in a lifting motion. Keep your knee bent and moving toward your chest. As the board begins to reach the peak of its arc, unroll your foot and make it parallel with the ground while you push on the nose of the board. Center yourself with both feet on the board as you become parallel to the ground.
Step 6
Keep your knees flexed comfortably as you come back down and impact the ground. If your legs are too stiff when you land, it will be difficult to keep your balance.
Tips and Warnings
- Keep your feet parallel to the ground after gaining air to prevent falling upon landing. Do not apply too much pressure with your front foot when leveling out. As your Ollie improves, use it to jump over objects or as a starter to other tricks.
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