Longboarding is becoming more and more popular with each passing day. It’s a great way to get around town, stay fit, and have fun! But did you know that longboards don’t just provide transportation?
If you want to take your longboard skills to the next level, then why not learn some tricks with it? With the right equipment, practice, and know-how, you can learn anything from simple tricks to complex stunts.
In this article, I’ll explain what types of tricks are possible on a longboard and I’ll give you the key tips for doing tricks safely too.
Can You Do Tricks on a Longboard
Trick-loving skaters have had an eye on longboards since their debut in the late 1900s. It’s true that longboards are usually made for cruising and their length may cause some difficulty while performing tricks. But with a little bit of practice, advanced tricks can be done even on a longboard!
There are several types of longboards available and each type can perform certain kinds of tricks. Drop-through boards, for instance, offer more stability at higher speeds, making them great for advanced tricks. Pintail Longboards are perfect for speed boarding and tricking, and they prevent wheel bite too!
Lastly, the Cruiser Longboard is the ideal choice if you want to keep things simpler with just basics and mid-level tricks.
So if you’re looking to learn some skateboarding skills that don’t require a specialized trick board – a longboard can definitely do the job! With enough practice and patience, you might even be able to perform some really advanced tricks!
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
If you’re a beginner when it comes to longboarding and wants to try out some tricks, then the Ollie is the perfect one to start with.
To do an Ollie, you need to first start by positioning your feet correctly. Position your front foot in the middle of the board and your back foot at its tail. Once that’s done, use your back foot to lift up the board, pushing it into the air.
As you kick down on the back end, jump along with it and slide your front foot towards the front of the board. When you can feel that the front has reached its highest point, kick onto it so as to level out your board in mid-air. Keep both legs straight and make sure your feet are over the wheel area for a perfect landing!
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.
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.
FAQs
Can You Jump on a Longboard?
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.
Can You Kick Turn 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.
Are Tricks Harder on Longboards?
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.
Can You Do Skateboard Tricks on a Longboard?
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.
Can You Do a Strawberry Milkshake on a Longboard?
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!
What is Sliding in Longboarding?
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.
Can You Slide on Any Longboard?
On any longboard, you can slide, however, for optimal performance, you will need to ensure you have the best deck, trucks, and wheels.
What Makes a Longboard Turn Easier?
Installing new bushings on your longboard can enhance its responsiveness and allow for greater turning capability.
Can You Do Tricks on a Mini Longboard?
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
In 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!
