Skateboard Tricks Overview
The skateboard trick list includes basic tricks, flip and shove-it tricks, grind and slide tricks, air, pool, ramp and grab tricks. Beginner tricks, intermediate maneuvers, and advanced/professional moves can be found in these categories.
The Ollie and Flip Tricks
Considered the trick of tricks, the ollie allowed flatland skateboarding to reach a vertical height and merge freestyle to street obstacles creating streetstyle skateboarding. Developed by Alan “Ollie” Gelfand on vert by scooping the board up into the air. Flip tricks are aerials based on the ollie, like the kickflip. Combining spins and flips is popular today.
Shredding the Gnar and Other Tricks
Shred the gnar refers to skating the park to your maximum ability. The ollie is leaping into the air without using your hands. After appearing in numerous skate videos and attracting a wide following, the Hubba Hideout gained popularity among skaters such that the term “hubba” became synonymous with any type of concrete ledge.
Types of Skateboard Tricks
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Longboarding and Street Skating: A longboard is used for downhill skating, commuting, and cruising. The baseplate is screwed to the deck, with the hanger lying beneath it. Street skating utilizes street furniture to perform tricks. Riding not using your natural stance is switch stance.
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Various Skateboard Maneuvers: The Caballerial was named after Steve Caballero, who invented it on vert in the early 1980s. To carve is to skate in a long, curving arc. A 50/50 handstand where the rider grabs the truck and flips the board is a TV stand. Balancing on your hand after skating up a halfpipe is a handplant.
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Advanced Tricks and Techniques: Gazelle flips are considered one of the hardest street tricks, taking months or years to master. Easiest beginner tricks include the Chinese nollie and ollies. To do a grind, you hold the nose and grind along the ground on one foot. For a 360 flip, you need to be able to ollie and heelflip. Flipping involves jumping off the ground, grabbing the board, and flipping it mid-air to land on its nose.
Honing Your Skills
Tricks and maneuvers have been created and improved since the early days. While some tricks seem daunting, with practice, you can land ones you thought you never could.