Introduction
Have you ever wanted to perform an ollie on a skateboard, but you are not sure how to do it? Don’t worry, we’re here to help. The purpose of this article is to provide you with a comprehensive guide to learning how to ollie. This skill is a crucial foundation for more advanced skateboard tricks. This article will cover the necessary steps required to learn the ollie, the mechanics of the skateboard and the skater’s body, common mistakes to avoid, the importance of practice and provide additional resources to assist you in your journey to mastering the ollie.
Step-by-Step Guide
As a beginner, it is essential to note that learning the ollie can be challenging. Here are the steps you need to know to learn the ollie successfully:
Step 1: Foot Placement
Place your back foot on the tail of the skateboard, and your front foot should be near the center bolts.
Step 2: Body Positioning
Bend your knees slightly, and your weight should be on your back foot. Keep your spine straight, and your shoulders parallel to the board.
Step 3: Timing
Pop the tail down with your back foot while simultaneously sliding your front foot forward. The timing is essential so try to jump at the same time your board hits the ground.
Step 4: Landing
As you’re about to land, keep your knees bent to cushion the landing. The landing impact must be absorbed, creating less pressure on your board.
Ollie Mechanics
Now that we have looked at the steps required to learn the ollie let’s dive deeper into the mechanics behind the skateboard and the skater’s body. The ollie is an example of the conservation of energy, and it works on a fundamental scientific principle.
When you pop the tail with your back foot, the board moves down and upward, thereby pressing down onto the ground, which brings about the equal and opposite reaction and produces an upward force.
As this happens, the top part of your foot, from the ball to the toes, slides up the griptape to the nose of the board creating a lifting motion from the front wheels. This motion is referred to as the ‘slide.’
As the front wheels lift off the ground, you drag your back foot up, which levels the board out in the air. This technique is the ‘leap.’
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When learning how to ollie, beginners often encounter several setbacks, which is normal. However, it is essential to avoid the following mistakes:
– Placing your front foot too close to the tail
– Failing to pop the tail hard enough
– Jumping off the skateboard
– Leaning too far forward or backward while landing
– Not keeping your shoulders straight
Importance of Practice
To perfect the ollie technique, it is crucial to practice continuously. Some tips to improve your ollie technique include:
– Starting slow and gradually increasing the speed
– Breaking down the steps and practicing each one individually
– Incorporating practice routines into your daily routine
– Finding inspiration from successful learners and professionals
Video Tutorial
Check out this illustrated video tutorial on how to ollie. This tutorial gives you practical steps to learn your first ollie.
The History of the Ollie
Originating in the late 1970s, the ollie was first performed by Alan “Ollie” Gelfand. Since then, the ollie has become a staple trick in modern skateboarding. It has opened the door for more complex and advanced tricks like the 360 flip and kickflip.
Skateboarding legend Tony Hawk has described the ollie as “…a magical maneuver.” Skateboarders worldwide celebrate June 21st as Go Skateboarding Day, a holiday that commemorates the joy and freedom of skateboarding that arguably would not exist without the ollie.
Ollie Variations
Once you’ve mastered the basics of the ollie, it’s time to advance to variations. Here are different variations of the ollie:
– Frontside Ollie (FS): In this variation, you rotate your body 90 degrees clockwise as you jump. This technique can help you to jump higher.
– Backside Ollie (BS): With this variation, rotate your body 90 degrees counterclockwise. This variation involves wrapping your back foot around the tail and then kicking your front foot forward.
– Nollie: The nollie is a variation in which you start with your front foot on the tail, and your back foot is on the nose of the skateboard. You then pop the nose down and slide your front foot to lift the board’s tail.
Conclusion
In conclusion, learning how to ollie takes time and patience. By practicing each step and avoiding common mistakes, you can successfully learn this foundational technique to further advance your skateboarding skills. Remember, practice is key! Don’t forget to check out the video tutorial and use it as a guide to help advance your skills.