Before 1959, if you wanted to be a skateboarder you also had be proficient at using a hammer, since all skateboards until that time were made by hand, usually by nailing a wooden board to a set of roller skate wheels. Technology has considerably improved the design and construction of skateboards, and the sport has grown steadily over the years. However, one aspect of skateboarding that remains the same is that to become proficient, you need to practice. Certain drills are especially useful to help you stay safe and improve your skill level.
Practice Makes Perfect
Once you've mastered the basics of starting, stopping and traveling forward, skateboarding offers the opportunity to learn intricate maneuvers and advance through many skill levels. Patience and diligent practice are the first and most important skills to learn. The best skateboarders log countless hours of drills to hone their skills, gradually building a repertoire of impressive tricks. A similar dedication to practice will move you safely toward your goals.
Importance of Falling
Your chances of falling while learning to skateboard are 100 percent. Make the best of these odds by taking some time at the beginning to learn how to fall correctly so that you can avoid injury. Practicing falling establishes the necessary reflexes so that if you fall when you are practicing your newest trick, you'll land safely.
How to Fall
The first step in a successful fall is to crouch. This gets all of your body parts closer to the ground and lessens the overall impact. Once you are in a crouched position try to land on the softer parts of your shoulder or back and quickly roll to one side to dissipate the forces of impact, while wrapping your arm around your head for protection. Also, staying relaxed while you fall makes it easier to roll and recover.
Jumping
If you've watched skateboarders, you've undoubtedly seen them jump vertically, rising in the air with the skateboard and then landing safely. This trick, known as the Ollie, is one of the most widely used skills in skateboarding. Aside from adding the fun and freedom of being airborne to your skateboarding skills, being able to Ollie is also a good safety skill for maneuvering around sudden obstacles.
The Ollie
Learn this trick in four stages. First, move forward with your front foot slightly forward of center and your back foot on the tail -- the upturned back end of the skateboard. Next, quickly shift your weight to push down on the tail, popping up the front end -- called the nose -- of the skateboard. As the nose rises, drag your front foot further up toward the front of the board. At the same time, bring your back foot forward to a position just in front of the tail. Now, with your weight centered over the board you can bend your knees to continue upwards, bringing the board up with you, then straightening your knees to prepare for landing. To ensure a safe landing, bend your knees to absorb the impact and use your knees and arms for balance.
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