How to Ollie on a Skateboard?

The ollie is the foundational trick in skateboarding, allowing you to get your board airborne without using your hands. To ollie, you'll need to coordinate a pop from your tail, a slide of your front foot, and a jump to lift the board into the air.

Mastering the ollie takes practice and patience, but breaking it down into steps makes it achievable for any skater. It's the gateway to countless other tricks, so getting this one solid is a huge step in your skateboarding journey.

What's the Best Foot Placement for an Ollie?

Proper foot placement is key for a consistent ollie. Start by standing on your board with your feet in a comfortable, balanced position. Your front foot should be placed roughly in the middle of your board, or slightly behind the front truck bolts, with the ball of your foot centered. This foot will be responsible for sliding up the board. Your back foot should be positioned on the very tip of the tail, typically with your toes hanging off slightly. This allows you to get maximum leverage when popping the tail down.

Ensure your weight is centered over the board, not leaning too far forward or backward. You want to feel stable and ready to spring into action. Many skaters find it helpful to practice this stance while rolling slowly before attempting a full ollie.

How Do You Pop the Tail and Slide Your Foot?

The ollie essentially combines three movements: the pop, the slide, and the jump. They happen almost simultaneously but are distinct actions. First, as you prepare to jump, you'll snap your back foot down hard onto the tail, hitting it against the ground. This quick, firm pop is what sends the board up into the air. Think of it like a seesaw: as your tail hits the ground, the nose of the board begins to rise.

Immediately after the pop, you need to slide your front foot. As the board starts to lift, drag the side of your front shoe (the outside edge, typically) up the grip tape towards the nose of the board. This motion levels out the board in the air and guides it upwards with your body. The timing here is crucial; the slide needs to happen as the board is rising from the pop, not before or too long after.

What Does the Jump Look Like During an Ollie?

While the pop and slide are essential for getting the board airborne, your jump is equally important for getting yourself and the board high off the ground. As you pop the tail, you need to simultaneously jump upwards with your entire body. It's not just your legs; you're bringing your knees up towards your chest, almost like a bunny hop.

As your front foot slides up the board, your back foot also needs to lift. Don't leave your back foot dragging on the ground after the pop. Bring it up with the board. The goal is to stay connected to the board throughout the entire motion. The higher you bring your knees, the more space you create for the board to rise beneath you, leading to a higher ollie.

How Do You Land an Ollie Smoothly?

Landing an ollie smoothly is all about absorbing the impact and maintaining balance. As you reach the peak of your ollie and the board begins to descend, you want to bring your feet back over the trucks. Try to land with your feet roughly over the bolts of your front and back trucks. This distributes your weight evenly over the strongest points of the board.

Bend your knees significantly as you land. This acts as a shock absorber, cushioning the impact and preventing you from losing balance or falling. Look where you're going and stay relaxed. A stiff body is more likely to lose balance upon landing. Practice landing on different surfaces, starting with smoother, flatter ground before moving to rougher terrain or trying to ollie over small obstacles.

FAQ

How long does it take to learn an ollie?

Learning an ollie varies for everyone; some skaters get the basic motion in a few hours, while others might take weeks of consistent practice. The key is regular dedication and breaking down the steps.

Should I learn to ollie while moving or stationary?

Many skaters find it easier to start practicing stationary to get the footwork and timing down. However, don't stay stationary for too long; practicing while slowly rolling helps you develop balance and prepares you for real-world skating.

What if my board doesn't level out in the air?

If your board isn't leveling out, it's usually because your front foot isn't sliding up the board enough or with the right force. Focus on really dragging your front foot up the grip tape towards the nose after the pop.

Why does my back foot hit the ground after the pop?

This often happens if you're not lifting your back foot high enough after the pop. Remember to bring your knees up to your chest as you jump, allowing the board to rise with you.

Ready to try your first ollie? Find the right complete setup to get started here.