Beginner Skills

Start with your stance, balance, and pushing technique. Every pro began here!

How to Stand & Balance

When you first step on a skateboard:

1. Place your front foot roughly over the front bolts of the deck.
2. Slightly bend your knees, keep shoulders relaxed and eyes looking ahead (not at your feet).
3. Once you’re comfortable, shift your weight gently from heel to toe of your front foot—this helps you feel how the board moves.
4. Practice staying in your stance for 30 seconds on flat ground, then push off lightly and stop to feel stability.

Pro Tip: A stable stance = less wobble. On your first day, wear helmet + wrist guards to build confidence.

Video Tutorial:

– this covers foot placement, how to stand, start rolling, and basic stopping.

How to Push & Roll

Breaking down your first push:

1. Keep your front foot on the board; your back foot pushes off the ground.
2. Push smoothly—don’t jump off aggressively. One clean push, then place your back foot on the tail (or near the rear bolts) and roll.
3. Practice pushing 10-20 feet, then come to a stop: shift weight to front foot and drag your back foot or gently press the tail to brake.
4. Repeat this 5–10 times until you’re comfortable.

Tip: Choose a smooth, flat surface (e.g., empty parking lot) for your first practice.

Article Recommendation: Skate Boarding Basics of Balance on and Push.

How to Turn

Two basic turning techniques for beginners:

• Lean / Carve Turn
• While rolling, gently lean your shoulders toward the direction you want to turn.
• Bend your knees, keep board level, let the trucks (axles) pivot naturally.
• Good for wide turns and gaining comfort.
• Kick-turn
• Roll forward at very low speed.
• Move your back foot onto the tail, apply light pressure so the nose lifts slightly, pivot 90° (or less) by turning your shoulders and head.
• Set your front foot down and roll away.

Tip: Don’t lean too far too fast — start slow and feel the change in board direction.

How to Learn Fundamental Tricks

Here’s how to begin with your first trick: the ollie. Then you can move on to other beginner tricks like shove-it, pop-shove, and manuals.

How to Ollie (Step by Step):

1. Start rolling slowly in your comfortable stance.
2. Back foot on tail, front foot near middle of deck.
3. Pop the tail down (jump backwards) while sliding front foot up toward the nose of the board.
4. As the board lifts, level it in the air and land both feet over the bolts, knees bent.
5. Roll away smoothly.

Video Tutorial:

— shows ollie plus other starter tricks.

– trick tutorial.

Progression Tip: Once you can roll 20 feet, push + pop + land, you’re ready for trick practice. Try landing on grass or carpeted surface first for safety.

Equipment

Skateboards come in many shapes and sizes — each designed for a different style of riding. From the classic street deck used for tricks, to cruisers and longboards for smooth rides, the right board helps match your comfort and skating goals.

— Board shape and type explanation.

Tip: For a first board, aim for ~8.0″ width if you’re unsure; it gives a balance of stability and maneuverability.

Make sure you’re properly geared up for safety and performance:

• Helmet: A certified skate/bike helmet that fits snugly.
• Wrist guards / Knee pads / Elbow pads: Especially important for first-time falls.
• Skate shoes: Flat, grippy sole, reinforced toe area.
• Board components: Deck, trucks, wheels, bearings, grip-tape — understand what each part does.

Checklist for selecting gear:

1. Fit: Gear should not shift when you move.
2. Condition: No cracks in helmet, pads still foam-intact.
3. Purpose: Are you skating street/trick, or commuting? Choose gear accordingly.

Taking Care of Your Gear

Your gear needs regular attention to keep you safe and skating smoothly:

• Monthly Inspection:
• Check deck for cracks or delamination.
• Wheels: If you feel wobble or see flat spots, replace.
• Bearings: Clean and re-lubricate or swap if gritty.
• Trucks: Ensure bolts are tight (not completely locked) and bushings still compress.
• Grip-tape: If peeling or worn out, replace to avoid slips.
• Storage:
• Keep your skateboard indoors, away from direct sun (heat warps deck) or moisture.
• After skating in damp weather, wipe down and dry board before storing.

Taking Care of Your Gear

When to Replace vs Repair

• Replace deck when: You see large cracks, serious delamination (layer separation), or major structural damage.
• Repair/maintain when: Wheels worn, bearings noisy, trucks loose, grip-tape peeling—these are normal maintenance items.

How to Change Wheels & Bearings

1. Remove old mounting bolts with skate tool or socket.
2. Remove trucks, clean mounting holes if needed.
3. Place new truck, insert bolts & lock-nuts finger-tight first.
4. With bolts all in place, tighten in a criss-cross pattern to ensure even pressure.

How to Change Wheels & Bearings

1. Remove axle nuts, take off old wheel.
2. Use bearing press (or old truck axle) to remove bearings from wheel.
3. Clean bearings (if reusable) or replace.
4. Insert bearings in new wheel, press them in evenly.
5. Mount wheel, fasten axle nut so wheel spins freely but no play.

How to Replace Grip-Tape

1. Use hair dryer or heat gun (low) to warm grip-tape edges.
2. Peel old tape off slowly, removing residue with solvent.
3. Align new grip-tape starting at nose, press down, trim residue around board with utility knife.
4. File edges to prevent peeling.

Injury Prevention

How to Fall Safely

Stay safe with smart warmups, proper pads, and learning how to fall correctly.

Falling happens—even pros fall. The key is how you fall. Follow this routine:

1. Stay relaxed: Tense muscles lead to more injury.
2. On a fall: Try to roll away from board rather than stiffening your limbs.
3. Protect your head: If you can’t roll, tuck the chin, start a forward roll or sideways roll based on situation.
4. Extend arms only if needed; and always try to land on outer part of arm or shoulder rather than wrist to avoid wrist fractures.

“Don’t try to stay on the board… Next, get used to pushing and stepping off.” This highlights the value of stepping off early when things go off plan.

– in cludes safe fall & balance exercises.

Weather & Surface Conditions

Your environment matters. Here’s how to keep it safe:

• Wet surfaces: Roads, ramps, skate spots become slippery. Delay or choose alternate location.
• Hot sun / heat: Asphalt and board decks heat up — bearings may expand, decks may warp. Choose early morning/evening sessions.
• Debris / leaves: Hidden obstacles like leaves, sticks, stones can cause surprise slips. Do a quick sweep of your spot.
• Humidity (especially in Texas): After rainy/humid days the surface may retain moisture—wait for full dryness.