15 Must-Try Skateboarding Tricks for Beginners

Skateboarding, with its blend of art, athleticism, and adrenaline, has captured the hearts of millions worldwide. Whether you’re an absolute beginner or an enthusiast looking to expand your repertoire of tricks, this comprehensive guide is here to help.

We’ll start with some essential tips for beginners before delving into 15 exciting skateboarding tricks. We’ll also explore common mistakes to avoid. So, grab your board, your sense of adventure, and let’s ride!

Essential Tips for Beginners

Skateboarding, like any other sport, has a learning curve. Before you start attempting tricks, it’s crucial to understand and master the fundamentals. Here are some essential tips for beginners:

1. Safety First: Before you start practicing any trick, ensure you have the proper safety gear. This includes a certified helmet, knee and elbow pads, wrist guards, and comfortable skate shoes. Safety should always be your top priority.
2. Balance and Stance: Your stance is the foundation of your skateboarding. Most skateboarders have either a regular stance (left foot forward) or a goofy stance (right foot forward). Experiment to find your most comfortable stance.
3. Foot Placement: Understanding how to position your feet is essential. For example, to maintain balance while riding, your front foot should point forward, and your back foot should be perpendicular to the board.
4. Practice Pushing: Learning how to push and maintain your speed is fundamental. Practice pushing with your back foot while keeping your front foot on the skateboard, and then switch it up to maintain control.
5. Bend Your Knees: Always keep your knees slightly bent to absorb shocks and maintain stability. This posture helps you navigate rough terrain and execute tricks smoothly.
6. Start Slow: Don’t rush into complex tricks. Begin with basic maneuvers like riding, turning, and stopping. These skills will build your foundation and confidence.
7. Build Your Confidence: Skateboarding can be intimidating, especially when you’re starting. Work on your balance and control before advancing to tricks. Confidence will make a significant difference in your progress.
8. Understand Your Board: Get to know your skateboard intimately. Learn about its components, including the deck, trucks, wheels, and bearings. Knowing how they work together will help you perform tricks more effectively.
9. Consistent Practice: Like any skill, practice is key. Spend time on your board regularly. The more you practice, the quicker you’ll improve.
10. Film Yourself: Recording your progress can be a valuable tool for improvement. Reviewing your footage helps identify areas that need work and keeps you motivated.

1. Kickturns

The kickturn is the first trick you should master. It’s essential for changing direction while skating and navigating obstacles. Here’s how to do a kickturn:

1. Find a Smooth Surface: Start on a smooth and flat surface, such as an empty parking lot or a well-maintained skatepark.
2. Balance and Speed: Begin rolling at a slow and controlled speed. Keep your knees slightly bent for balance.
3. Foot Placement: Place your back foot on the tail of the skateboard, with your toes hanging off slightly. Your front foot should be angled slightly towards the nose.
4. Pivot: Use your front foot to pivot the board, turning it in the direction you want to go. Keep your weight centered over the board.
5. Back to Riding: Once you’ve completed the turn, return your board to its original position and continue riding.

2. Ollie

The Ollie is the cornerstone of modern skateboarding, and mastering it will open the door to a world of tricks. Here’s how to perform an Ollie:

1. Stance and Speed: Start with a comfortable stance, feet shoulder-width apart, and rolling at a moderate speed.
2. Foot Placement: Position your back foot on the tail with the ball of your foot near the edge. Your front foot should be in the center of the board.
3. Pop and Slide: As you crouch down, pop the tail of the board down by pushing on it with your back foot while sliding your front foot up towards the nose.
4. Leveling Out: Level out the board in mid-air by leveling your feet and keeping your weight centered.
5. Landing: As you descend, be prepared to land with your knees slightly bent to absorb the impact.

The Ollie is the gateway to a multitude of tricks, so practice it diligently.

3. Manuals

Manuals are a stylish way to balance on two wheels while moving forward. Here’s how to perform a manual:

1. Balancing Act: Start riding with moderate speed and make sure your feet are placed evenly over the board.
2. Tilt Back: Shift your weight backward by leaning slightly towards the tail of the skateboard. This will lift the front wheels off the ground.
3. Balance: Maintain balance by keeping your knees slightly bent and your eyes fixed on the horizon. Use your arms for counterbalance.
4. Practice: Gradually increase the distance and duration of your manuals as you gain confidence.

4. Shuvits

Shuvits are fundamental rotational tricks. They involve spinning the skateboard beneath your feet without flipping it. Here’s how to do a Shuvit:

1. Riding Forward: Begin riding at a comfortable speed on a smooth surface.
2. Foot Placement: Position your front foot with the ball of your foot near the center of the board and your toes angled slightly towards the nose. Place your back foot’s heel near the edge of the tail.
3. Pop and Spin: Pop the tail of the skateboard with your back foot while guiding the rotation with your front foot.
4. Catch and Land: As the board completes the 180-degree spin, use your front foot to catch it and land.

Shuvits are great for understanding board control and building your foundation for more advanced tricks.

5. Grinds

Grinding is the art of sliding your trucks on a rail or edge. It adds a new dimension to your skateboarding. Here’s how to grind:

1. Approach and Speed: Approach the rail or edge at a slight angle with a moderate amount of speed.
2. Ollie Onto the Rail: As you reach the edge, perform an Ollie to lift your board onto the rail.
3. Balance: Balance on the rail by positioning your trucks properly. Your weight should be centered over the rail.
4. Maintain Speed: Keep your momentum by staying light on your feet and maintaining balance.
5. Exit Smoothly: To exit the grind, shift your weight and guide your board off the rail.

Different grind tricks, such as 50-50 grinds and boardslides, will add variety and excitement to your skateboarding.

6. Slides

Slides involve making your board’s wheels slide across a surface. This not only looks cool but also adds a unique touch to your style. Here are some slide tricks to try:

1. Powerslides: Powerslides involve turning your board sideways and sliding your wheels while controlling your speed. They’re perfect for making quick stops and adding flair to your rides.
2. 360 Slides: For a more advanced move, attempt a 360 slide, where you perform a full rotation while sliding. This adds complexity and style to your slides.

7. Flip Tricks

Flip tricks are some of the most visually captivating maneuvers in skateboarding. They involve flipping the board while it spins. Here are a couple of flip tricks to get you started:

1. Kickflips: A kickflip involves flipping the skateboard 360 degrees along its axis while it’s in the air. To do this, flick your toes off the edge of the tail as you Ollie.
2. Heelflips: Heelflips are similar to kickflips but involve using your heel to initiate the flip. It requires precise foot placement and timing.

Mastering flip tricks is a rewarding experience, and they open the door to even more advanced maneuvers.

8. Pop Shove-Its

A pop shove-it is an intermediate trick that improves your board control and style. This trick involves spinning the board 180 degrees beneath your feet without flipping it. Here’s how to perform a pop shove-it:

1. Stance and Speed: Start with a comfortable stance and moderate speed.
2. Foot Placement: Position your front foot with the ball of your foot near the center of the board, and your toes angled slightly towards the nose. Place your back foot’s heel near the edge of the tail.
3. Pop and Spin: Pop the tail of the skateboard with your back foot while using your front foot to guide the rotation.
4. Catch and Land: As the board completes the 180-degree spin, use your front foot to catch it and land.

Pop shove-its are a great intermediate trick to add to your repertoire.

9. Heelflips

Heelflips add variety to your flip trick arsenal. Similar to kickflips, they involve flipping the skateboard while spinning. Here’s how to perform a heelflip:

1. Stance and Speed: Start with a comfortable stance and moderate speed.
2. Foot Placement: Position your back foot on the tail, just like you would for a kickflip. Your front foot should be in the center of the board.
3. Flick with Your Heel: Use the edge of your front heel to initiate the flip. Flick your heel towards the edge of the skateboard while maintaining a well-timed Ollie.
4. Catch and Land: As the board completes the flip, use your front foot to catch it and prepare for a smooth landing.

Heelflips require precise foot placement and a quick flick, but once mastered, they add an extra layer of skill to your skateboarding.

10. 50-50 Grinds

A 50-50 grind is a fundamental grind trick. It involves both trucks sliding along a rail or edge simultaneously. Here’s how to perform a 50-50 grind:

1. Approach and Speed: Approach the rail or edge at a slight angle with a moderate amount of speed.
2. Ollie Onto the Rail: As you reach the edge, perform an Ollie to lift your board onto the rail.
3. Balancing Act: Maintain balance by positioning your trucks properly. Your weight should be centered over the rail.
4. Exit Smoothly: To exit the grind, shift your weight and guide your board off the rail.

Mastering 50-50 grinds builds confidence and balance on rails, preparing you for more advanced grind tricks.

11. Boneless

Boneless is a classic trick that adds a touch of style and nostalgia to your skateboarding. It involves lifting your front foot off the skateboard and using your hand to launch off the ground. Here’s how to do a boneless:

1. Rolling Forward: Start rolling at a moderate speed on a smooth surface.
2. Foot Placement: Position your front foot near the center of the board, with the ball of your foot over the front truck. Your back foot should be on the tail.
3. Front Foot Lift: As you approach a flat area, lift your front foot off the skateboard while keeping your back foot on the tail.
4. Hand Assist: Reach down with your front hand to grab the edge of your board.
5. Jump and Grab: Launch yourself off the ground using the support of your hand while simultaneously pulling the skateboard up.
6. Recovery: Once you’ve completed the launch, catch the board with your back foot and get ready to land smoothly.

Boneless tricks offer a unique, old-school flair to your skateboarding style.

12. No-Comply

No-Comply is another vintage trick that adds a touch of nostalgia to your skateboarding. It involves lifting your front foot, pivoting the board, and jumping back on. Here’s how to do a No-Comply:

1. Forward Momentum: Start rolling forward on a smooth surface.
2. Foot Placement: Place your front foot over the front truck, similar to an Ollie stance. Your back foot should be on the tail.
3. Front Foot Lift: As you ride forward, lift your front foot off the skateboard.
4. Pivot: Use your back foot to pivot the board 180 degrees while your front foot is still in the air.
5. Jump and Catch: Jump into the air while the board completes its pivot, and catch it with your front foot.
6. Recovery: Land on the board and prepare for your next move.

No-Comply tricks add a touch of creativity and individuality to your skateboarding.

13. Varial Kickflips

Varial kickflips combine the kickflip with a 180-degree body rotation. This advanced trick requires a solid kickflip foundation and precise body control. Here’s how to perform a varial kickflip:

1. Stance and Speed: Start with a comfortable stance and moderate speed.
2. Foot Placement: Position your back foot on the tail, just like for a kickflip. Your front foot should be in the center of the board.
3. Kickflip Setup: Begin with the kickflip setup, flicking your toes off the edge of the tail while performing an Ollie.
4. Front Foot Rotation: As the board flips, use your front foot to guide a 180-degree body rotation.
5. Catch and Land: After the board completes the flip and your body has rotated, use your front foot to catch the board and prepare for a smooth landing.

Varial kickflips require precise timing and coordination, making them a challenge worth conquering.

14. Wallrides

Wallrides are visually impressive tricks that involve riding your skateboard up and along a vertical surface, such as a wall or ramp. Here’s how to do a wallride:

1. Approach and Speed: Approach the wall or ramp at a slight angle with enough speed to carry you upward.
2. Ollie Onto the Wall: As you reach the wall, perform an Ollie to lift your board onto the wall.
3. Balance: Maintain balance on the wall by positioning your trucks properly and keeping your weight centered.
4. Exit Gracefully: To exit the wallride, shift your weight and guide your board away from the wall, ensuring a smooth landing.

Wallrides are both thrilling and visually striking, making them a favorite among skateboarders looking to leave their mark at the skatepark.

15. Power Slides

Power slides are all about sliding your board sideways while maintaining control of your speed. Here’s how to perform a power slide:

1. Speed and Stance: Begin riding at a moderate speed with your feet positioned shoulder-width apart.
2. Tilt and Slide: Shift your weight towards the tail of the board while tilting it slightly. This will initiate the slide.
3. Use Your Feet: Use your feet to slide the wheels sideways. Your front foot pushes the board, while your back foot helps control the slide.
4. Maintain Control: Keep your weight centered and your knees slightly bent to stay balanced.
5. Recovery: Gradually straighten the board and regain control as you exit the slide.

Power slides are excellent for slowing down quickly and adding a dynamic element to your skateboarding.

Mistakes to Avoid

Skateboarding tricks are thrilling and rewarding when executed well, but they can also be a source of frustration if you’re making avoidable mistakes.

To help you progress more effectively and reduce the risk of injury, it’s essential to be aware of common blunders and how to avoid them.

1. Neglecting Safety Gear:
   • Mistake: Failing to wear the appropriate safety gear, including a helmet, knee and elbow pads, wrist guards, and skate shoes.
   • Avoidance: Prioritize safety by wearing certified protective gear at all times. It’s the key to preventing injuries and boosting confidence.
2. Skipping Fundamental Skills:
   • Mistake: Rushing into complex tricks without first mastering the basics like balance, turning, and ollies.
   • Avoidance: Build a strong foundation by honing fundamental skills. This not only enhances your overall ability but also makes learning advanced tricks smoother.
3. Inadequate Foot Placement:
   • Mistake: Incorrectly positioning your feet on the skateboard, leading to difficulties in executing tricks.
   • Avoidance: Pay close attention to your foot placement. Proper positioning is critical for control and maneuverability. Practice foot placement for each specific trick to ensure precision.
4. Overlooking Practice and Consistency:
   • Mistake: Failing to practice regularly and consistently, which hinders skill development.
   • Avoidance: Dedicate time to consistent practice. The more you practice, the faster you’ll improve and reduce the likelihood of errors.
5. Ignoring Proper Weight Distribution:
   • Mistake: Incorrectly distributing your weight, which can lead to instability and failed trick attempts.
   • Avoidance: Master the art of weight distribution. Whether it’s leaning forward for an Ollie or leaning back for a manual, understanding the importance of weight balance is essential for successful trick execution.

By recognizing and actively avoiding these mistakes, you’ll not only enhance your skateboarding skills but also minimize the chances of accidents and injuries.

Conclusion

Skateboarding is not just a sport; it’s a form of self-expression, a way to embrace creativity, and a means to conquer gravity. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced rider, there’s always something new to learn and master.

By starting with the basics, honing your skills, and progressing through a range of tricks, you’ll find immense joy and satisfaction in this dynamic sport.

Remember to wear the proper safety gear, practice consistently, and always prioritize safety above all. As you work your way through these tricks, you’ll build your confidence, expand your skills, and enjoy the incredible journey of skateboarding.

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