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Yes, you can do tricks on a longboard. Some common tricks include ollies, kickflips, slides, and manuals. However, it is important to practice these tricks in a safe and controlled environment, wearing proper protective gear.
Are Longboards Meant for Tricks?
Longboards are primarily designed for cruising and carving, but they can also be used for doing tricks. While it may be a bit challenging for beginners who are new to longboarding, with practice and experience, executing tricks on a longboard becomes easier.
However, it is important to note that there are certain skateboard tricks that cannot be performed on a longboard due to their different design. Longboards typically have a longer and wider deck with softer wheels, which makes them more stable and suitable for cruising at higher speeds. This design allows for fluid motion and comfortable riding on longer distances.
To execute tricks on a longboard, it is essential to start with the basics. Beginners should focus on learning and perfecting basic tricks such as pivots, slides, and manuals. These tricks require proper foot placement, balance, and control of body weight.
What Tricks You Can Do Using a Longboard
Longboarding is a great way to have fun and learn new tricks. There are a number of simple longboard tricks for beginners that you can use to get started. From basic slides and pumps to more advanced tricks, you can learn just about anything on a longboard.
Ollie
Ollie is one of the most basic tricks that you can do with a longboard. All you need to do is pull your board off the ground and jump – it’s that simple! Skaters of all levels know how to do this trick, although some more experienced riders may not even consider an Ollie a real trick. Nonetheless, it is necessary to master if you want to move on and learn more complex longboard tricks.
For those just starting out, learning how to Ollie is essential as it is the foundation for so many other tricks and maneuvers. Once you feel comfortable doing an Ollie, then it’s time to start progressing and mastering other longboard moves.
Kickflip
Kickflip is one of the most iconic tricks you can do with a longboard. With just a few days’ practice, you can master this trick and open the door to more complex stunts. The key to a successful Kickflip is launching your board in the air using just your feet and then flipping it 360 degrees in midair.
If you get this motion down properly, you’ll be able to perform kickflips that look great and turn some heads! Mastering Kickflips will not only impress others but also help you create more advanced tricks as well.
Pivot
Pivots are essential for mastering longboarding. A pivot is a 180-degree turn that requires you to shift the position of your longboard and yourself. It helps you gain balance and understand the sudden changes in momentum while riding, making it an important trick to learn.
Once you’ve mastered the pivot, you’ll be ready to advance to more complex tricks like the shuvit. Learning how to pivot will give you confidence as you progress in your longboarding skills!
Shove-It/ Shuvit
Shove-It or Shuvit is one of the most important tricks you can do with a longboard. The technique is similar to the pivot, and if you already know how to pivot, then you should have no problem mastering this trick!
The main difference between a pivot and a shuvit is how you make the 180-degree turn – whereas in a pivot it’s done gradually, with a shuvit you make the turn by jumping. So to get this trick just right, make sure to use your momentum and jump accurately! Once you master that jump, you’ll be able to do this skill like a pro!
Ghostride And Ghostride Kickflip
Ghostride and Ghostride Kickflip are two tricky tricks you can do using a longboard, but they require good timing and a lot of practice to master. When Ghostriding, you get off the board and move along until you’re ready to get back on.
The Ghostride Kickflip comes in when you’re getting back on – where you quickly do a kickflip. If you want to try out these advanced moves, then make sure that you have enough practice doing basic ones first before attempting them! With patience and enough practice, anyone can learn to master these tricks for smooth rides.
Footbrake
Footbrake is one of the essential tricks that every longboarder should know. Because there’s no gear shifting or emergency brakes, it’s absolutely necessary to be able to control your own speed and stop with just your feet.
The technique involves using pressure from your feet on the ground while moving. This creates friction between the board and the road, which decreases the speed of your board and creates momentary breaks.
Walking the Plank
Walking the Plank is a great trick you can do on a longboard! It requires you to balance yourself on your bent knees with your arms and feet as you move down the street. The key here is to stay balanced as you slowly push against the ground with each step.
You can also work on pushing your board back and forth alternating between your left and right foot – this is called cross-stepping.
Dancing
One of the most important skills you can learn with a longboard is dancing. It might sound strange, but it’s one of the basic tricks you have to master to make the most of your longboarding experience.
With this trick, you basically sway your board back and forth while rolling along the road. You’ll soon find yourself moving in sync with your board, almost like you’re actually dancing together!
Slalom
One fun trick to do on a longboard is slalom. Slalom requires excellent balance, so it’s important to practice balancing yourself while taking tight turns. A good way to do this is by curving around obstacles while riding downhill and adjusting your speed accordingly.
For slalom, you should have your knees bent and your feet in the middle of the board at an angle. Move your hands along with your feet as you make sharp turns down the road.
Drop-In
The drop-in is a real showstopper of a trick with your longboard. Once you have mastered the basics, like regulating speed and balancing yourself on the platform, it’s time to take on the challenge of mastering this one.
Start on the nose of the board by bending one knee forward and then make sure that you keep your concentration as you drop in confidently with your board. Although you may feel a little scared at first, don’t worry – just practice and get comfortable with it until you nail it every time!
With practice and perseverance, even beginners can learn this awesome trick. So try it out – before you know it, you’ll be showing off your cool new skill to other skateboarders!
How To Do Tricks on a Longboard
Learning how to do tricks on a longboard can be fun and exciting for both beginners and experienced riders. Thankfully, I’m here to help break down the basics of performing tricks on Longboard with this step-by-step guide.
How To Do Ollie on a Longboard?
Yes, you can definitely do an ollie on your longboard. However, before attempting this trick, it’s crucial to be comfortable and familiar with your board. Here are the steps to help you perform an ollie on your longboard:
Step 1: Do the jump:
– Stand next to your board and practice jumping using your back foot first.
– Once you’re comfortable, jump with both legs up in the air while pressing down on your back foot.
Step 2: Pop the board:
– Place your back foot on the tail and your front foot in the middle or closer to the nose.
– Jump off your back foot while popping the longboard, adding some force to lift the board.
Step 3: Level out and get air:
– Stand on the tail of your board with your front foot near the nose.
– As you pop the board, it will lift up in the air, creating an ollie motion.
Step 4: Practice getting maximum height:
– Keep practicing your ollies to increase the height of your jumps.
– Pull your knees up to your chest to elevate the board higher.
Step 5: Mid-air:
– Maintain a parallel position between the board and the ground while in the air.
– Ensure that the nose of your board is level with the ground as you descend.
Step 6: Stick landing:
– Before landing, center your weight in the middle of the board.
– Aim to land over the bolts to prevent damaging your board.
Step 7: Back on the ground:
– Stay prepared for the landing by keeping your knees bent to absorb the impact.
By following these steps and practicing regularly, you’ll be able to master the ollie on your longboard. Remember to always wear protective gear and perform tricks within your skill level.
How To Do Kickflip
To do a Kickflip on a longboard, you’ll need to start by making sure your feet are in the same position as when you were doing an Ollie. Once your feet are in place, lift the board up by kicking the tail area down and adding a slight flick to create an angle.
As the front of the board goes up, slide your front foot back so that you can spin it. When landing, remember to catch with your rear foot first followed by the front foot, with foot positioning remaining similar to what was used for the Ollie.
Flips on a Longboard?
Yes, you can do flips on a longboard, even if you are a beginner. There are several fun and easy flip tricks that you can learn and perform on your longboard. Here are some of them:
1. Boneless Finger Flip:
– Start by learning how to do a boneless trick.
– To perform the boneless trick, use one hand to grip the board and rotate it in order to execute a flip before landing.
2. No Comply Finger Flip:
– This trick is similar to the Boneless Finger Flip, but instead of grabbing the board with your hand, you need to pop the board on its own.
– Once you pop the board, you can smack the middle to make it flip.
3. Ghost Ride Kickflip:
– Considered to be the easiest flip trick to do on a longboard.
– Simply step off your board as it rolls, use your back foot to flip it, and then jump back on.
4. Old-School Kickflip:
– This trick is considered to be one of the more challenging beginner flip tricks on a longboard.
– Place your back foot underneath the board and then jump.
– Your back foot will cause the board to flip, so footwork is crucial for this trick.
These flip tricks are a great way to add some flair and excitement to your longboarding skills. Remember to always practice in a safe and controlled environment, and wear protective gear to ensure your safety. With practice and dedication, you’ll be able to master these flip tricks on your longboard. Have fun and happy flipping!
How To Do Pivot
Pivot is an awesome trick to learn as a beginner longboarder. To start, put your front foot on the nose of the board. This will create more weight at the front which helps with balance and will also determine how much wheel drag there will be during the trick.
Then place your back foot in the middle of the board, engaging your lower back and shoulder muscles to add pressure to the nose area.
After that, twist your torso and turn the board 180 degrees, reversing the positions of the front and tail end and making sure that your back foot is now at the front-end position. Finally, push down with your new ‘front’ foot at the middle section of your board for rebalancing it.
How To Do Shuvit
Performing a shuvit on a longboard is an exciting experience. To get started, first place your feet as you did for the pivot. Next, put more pressure on the nose area of the board to help it jump.
This will make the back of the board rise, allowing you to complete a 180-degree turn. Finally, release your grip on the board and land with your feet in their normal position after completing the jump.
How To Do Ghostride/ Ghostride Kickflip
Ghostride and Ghostride Kickflip are tricks that any beginner longboarder should learn. To do a Ghostride, you’ll need to start with the normal skating stance. Then, bring your back foot forward by crossing the front foot. Next, jump off the board and land with just the crossed foot first.
Then take exactly two steps along with the board – first with the crossed foot after landing, then with the front foot. After that, get back on the board and land on it again with your back foot on its tail.
Finally, when performing a Ghostride Kickflip flipping trick, use the toes of your back foot to flip it for a 360-degree turn before landing on it as described in Step 4 above.
More Easy Longboard Tricks For Beginners
For those just starting out, there are some easy longboard tricks for beginners to master. Most of these tricks involve basic maneuvering techniques that can be done safely and within the limits of a beginner’s skill level.
1. Pivot (Fakie/Nollie)
To perform the trick, shift your weight to the foot on the nose of the board. This can be done with your dominant front foot (nollie) or your non-dominant front foot (fakie). Use your shoulders and upper body to start the pivot. The amount of weight on the nose will dictate how much the wheels drag on the ground. Increase weight for a “whipping” motion or decrease weight for a “sliding” motion. Learning different types of pivots will build the skills needed for more advanced tricks.
2. Shove-it (Fakie/Nollie)
Similar to the pivot, the nollie/fakie shove-it requires a sliding pivot motion. The only difference is the jumping motion. Hop right when the board turns 45 degrees. Jump with both feet and catch with a single foot upon landing. This trick may be intimidating as it may be your first aerial trick, but with practice and mastery of the pivot, you will be able to learn it quickly.
3. No-comply 180
The no-comply 180 is an enjoyable and versatile trick. It can generate speed and momentum and provides options to switch stance or engage variations. Start by practicing kicking your board 180 degrees from your tail, aiming for your opposing hip. Once you can consistently kick the board to the desired side, focus on jumping simultaneously with your back foot. Practice this trick standstill before attempting it while moving.
4. Ghostride Flip
The ghost ride flip is a fun and simple trick. Kick the board while you are “ghost riding” or walking next to it. Step behind your heel-side edge of the board and flip it from there. Practice flipping the board diagonally in front of your intended jumping direction to maintain forward momentum.
These are just a few more easy longboard tricks for beginners. Remember to always wear protective gear and practice in a safe environment. With patience and practice, you can progress your longboarding skills and unlock a world of tricks and stunts.
FAQs
Yes, longboards are good for tricks. They offer a stable and smooth ride, making it easier to perform various tricks such as slides, manuals, and flips. Longboards typically have a longer and wider deck, which provides more space to land and maneuver tricks. Additionally, the larger wheels on longboards provide better grip and stability for executing tricks. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced rider, longboards are a great choice for those looking to challenge themselves and enhance their trick repertoire.
Yes, you can slide on any longboard, but there are certain factors that can make sliding easier and more enjoyable. The key is to have the right setup, including the best deck, trucks, and wheels.
To make sliding easier, it is recommended to wear out your wheels a bit. New wheels can be harder to slide on, so it’s beneficial to break them in first. A flexy deck can also be helpful for beginners learning how to slide. If you want to slide at higher speeds, it may be necessary to upgrade to a stiffer deck.
Yes, it is possible to jump on and off a longboard, however doing so can be tricky. It takes skill and practice to master the jumping motion on a longboard.
In order to be able to perform a kick turn on a longboard, you must first feel more secure and confident with your board, as this trick is quite advanced and requires more practice.
It can be more difficult to do certain tricks with a longboard since they tend to be larger, heavier, and equipped with bigger, softer wheels that are best for cruising and achieving high speeds.
You can perform traditional skateboard tricks on a longboard, even though it’s bigger and has softer wheels. Longboards can still do some of the same tricks as skateboards.
It can be tricky to do a strawberry milkshake on a longboard, but with the right foot placement and consistent practice, you’ll have it down pat in no time. Don’t give up!
Sliding with a longboard is an advanced technology that makes use of powerslides and drifts. It’s the best way to slow down your board in a downhill cruise and involves maneuvering your weight to allow the wheels to move freely and lose traction on the pavement or surface.
On any longboard, you can slide, however, for optimal performance, you will need to ensure you have the best deck, trucks, and wheels.
Installing new bushings on your longboard can enhance its responsiveness and allow for greater turning capability.
Mini longboards are not designed for tricks like regular boards, however, many of them have Kicktails which make performing certain tricks easier than on a regular longboard.
Conclusion
You can absolutely do tricks on a longboard! With the right preparation and a little bit of practice, almost anyone can do it. Whether it’s Kickflip, Power Slides, or Ollies, there are tons of different tricks you can learn to become an expert longboarder in no time.
Just remember that safety always comes first. Make sure to wear the appropriate safety gear each time you hit the street and keep your eyes peeled for other obstacles. You’ll be hitting new tricks like a pro in no time!
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