Now that you have learned how to drop in on a skateboard you will need to learn how to maintain your momentum as you move from coping to coping in the pipe. You initial drop will give you enough speed to hit the first couple transitions but after that you need to learn how to pump.
Pumping is the best way to get your speed back up. If you try to put your foot down to push you will be met with a nasty surprise. Pumping is the same thing that you do on a swing set to maintain your momentum. When you are a kid you figure out pretty quick when to pump AKA the sweet spot. The pipe is no different.
How To Pump On A Skateboard
Step 1
As you roll up to the top of the pipe you will need to straighten out your legs from your squatted position.
Step 2
As you reach maximum height and your momentum start to switch downward you will want to start squatting again.
Step 3
When you roll down to the lower part of the transition you will feel the sweet spot where you will want to straighten out your legs quickly. This quick motion from squatting to standing will help to push your momentum towards the next transition.
Step 4
Rinse and repeat on the next transition.
Congratulations! You are now one step closer to mastering pipes and quarter pipes.
Filed under Transitions by on Feb 8th, 2012. 
The 360 flip or Tre flip is one of the most challenging flip tricks that you can do. It’s basically a pop shove-it, kick flip and varial flip all wrapped into one. The board actually rotates 360 degrees below your feet instead of 180 degrees as in the varial flip and pop shove-it. You will land on the board the exact same way that you did when you took off.
This is a really tough trick to get down but if you stay positive and keep working on it you can master a trick that many advanced skaters have problems with.
How To 360 Flip On A Skateboard
Step 1
Get yourself up to a decent amount of speed.
Step 2
Use your back foot to pop the board up behind you as you would in the pop shove-it. Scoop the board up with your back foot instead of slapping the tail down. Scrape the tail in a fast half circle movement that has enough power to spin the board 360 degrees.
Step 3
Right after you scoop the tail the nose of the board will rise up, like a you do in a varial flip, quickly kick it out with your front foot. The board should flip end over end while it spins.
Step 4
Make sure your feet stay up and your eyes stay on the board to line up the touchdown.
Step 5
Use your front foot to grab the board and bring it beneath both your feet ready for landing.
Step 6
Aim for the bolts with both feet while keeping your knees bent and ready for landing.
Step 7
Stomp the landing and roll away.
Congratulations! You now know how to 360 flip on a skateboard.
Filed under Flip Tricks by on Jun 28th, 2011.
When you first learn how to set up a skateboard the feeling of putting it all together by yourself is awesome. At first, the task can seem daunting but its really not that hard once you learn how and plus you get the satisfaction of doing it yourself. As a beginner you may buy complete decks already pre-assembled but as you progress you will want to be able to customize your board to your riding style. This page and video will help to break down and explain how you can go about setting up your own skateboard after you get your new gear.
Before you can learn how to set up a skateboard you will need to have a few things:
- deck
- grip tape
- trucks
- bolts
- wheels
- bearings
You will also need to have a few tools handy:
- file
- utility knife
- allen key
- t-tool
How To Set Up A Skateboard
Step 1 – Deck and Grip Tape
(0:50 in the video) Take your grip tape and peel off the wax paper. Start at the tail and put the grip sticky side down and firmly and evenly push the air out as you travel towards the nose. Be sure you have enough to cover the entire length of the board. Don’t rush it!
(1:47 in the video) Once the grip is stuck on the entire board take the file and rub it around the edges to outline the board. The outline makes it easy for you to cut around the board.
(2:10 in the video) Slide the knife along the edge of the board at a sharp angle so that there is no grip tape hanging over the edge of the board. Rub the rough side of the excess grip tape along the edge of the board to smooth out the edges.
(3:35 in the video) Poke holes through the grip tape using the allen key where the bolt holes are.
Step 2 – Trucks and Bolts
(4:02 in the video) Take the bolts and push them through the four holes from the top of the board.
(4:30 in the video) Turn the board on its side and place one truck (with the kingpin facing the center) over the bolts. Take your allen key and place it in on the bolt, take your t-tool and tighten the bolt from the other side until the bolt is flush with the deck on the top. Repeat for the other bolts and truck.
Step 3 – Wheels and Bearings
(6:22 in the video) Take off the nut from one axle, place a bearing on the axle, then take a wheel and push firmly down on the bearing so that the bearing is pushed in flush with the wheel. Take off the wheel and repeat for the other side. Simply repeat for all the other wheels.
Step 4 – Wheels and Trucks
(7:02 in the video) Take off the nut from the axle. Remember that there are two washers and one goes between the axle and the wheel and the other between the bearing and the nut! Put the wheel on the axle, put the other washer on and then the axle nut. Tighten using the t-tool. You don’t want the wheel to move from side to side on the axle. Repeat for all the wheels.
Step 5 – Adjusting the Trucks
(7:55 in the video) Take your t-tool and adjust the trucks by either tightening or loosening the kingpin to your personal feel.
Congratulations! Now you know how to set up a skateboard.
Filed under Hard Goods by on Jun 19th, 2011.
By now you have progressed in your riding and want to improve by hitting up some skateboard ramps and rails. Many riders these days want to advance their street and park riding skills but for that you need to travel to the skate park. The problem is that with no car (or gas money) you will have a hard time getting to the busy skate park and when you finally get there you will probably find yourself spending a lot of time waiting for your next line.
A possible solution is to build your own ramps. That’s all fine but trying to build heavy wood ramps can cost and weigh a lot. That means you can’t move them around where you want and if you don’t like where it is you probably won’t use it. Speaking from experience you really don’t want to throw your money away this way.
A guy named Roger Hickey invented a simple, affordable, folding Street Park Kit that easily rolls into the corner of your garage after every use. He spent three years researching and built countless prototypes that have been tried and tested by pro skaters. The result is FreshPark’s complete line up of skateboard ramp kits. The best part is that if you really want to improve, these ramps are perfect for aspiring and dedicated skateboarders.
Who uses them?
Used at many of the interactive villages of top pro skate tours (X Games, AST Dew Tour, Etnies GvR), by recreation departments, community organizations, schools, summer camps, churches and military bases. Freshpark has established itself as the leading portable ramp brand. Developed by pro skaters, Freshpark’s durable line of weatherproof, foldable ramps are easy to assemble, easy to move, and easy to store.
Why should I get one?
When going to the skate park is not an option you can easily set up your own adjustable mini park anywhere in minutes. Its awesome because its easy to assemble, easy to move and easy to store.
- foldable and portable quarter pipes, launch ramps rails and more
- made of weatherproof urethane and ABS so no more rotting, warping or splitting
- thick 10 gauge steel tubing for legs that attach to other ramps and pads
- supports all the thrashing you can ever think to give it
What do other skaters have to say about them?
This is what one reviewer had to say about the products from FreshPark.
“I love the ramp. I looked for a LONG time for a ramp that would allow me to skate whenever I wanted, but would not require me to rebuild every year. A good quarterpipe costs about $200 to make. You have to relaminate every year and paint etc… This was by far the best solution once I rationalized I would skate it for many years. Those plastic ramps are total garbage…I never even considered them.”
If your serious about riding skateboard ramps and rails then you should seriously consider picking up one of these bad ass kits.
Click here for the best portable skate ramps and rails on the market!
Filed under Skateboard Ramps and Rails by on Jun 17th, 2011.
The first time I saw a lipslide done I actually thought it was a boardslide. Nope, I was dead wrong. The rotation is what gives the trick away.
The rotation comes when you ollie up over the rail and turn 45 degrees before the slide starts. That’s it, that’s all.
Remember that this trick is all based off of having a solid ollie that will let you have a chance at landing this trick.
For the backside lipslide simply approach the obstacle you want to slide with your heels facing it.
How To Lipslide on A Skateboard
Step 1
For the frontside lipslide you want to start with your toes facing the object you want to slide. Get up to a good speed and line up to hit it.
Step 2
Ollie over it and twist your body and board so that your facing the rest of the obstacle. Your tail should be over the other side and you should be ready to land.
Step 3
Center your board as best you can over the middle. Have your feet evenly balanced over the bolts.
Step 4
Have both your knees bent and ready to face the way you are sliding.
Step 5
When you land be sure to keep your arms up for balance. Look for the ground where you want to land.
Step 6
At the end of the rail or curb prepare to straighten out. Do this by twisting your leading side in air as you come off the end of the hit.
Step 7
Land on both sets of wheels to ensure a solid landing.
Congrats! You now know how to lipslide on a skateboard.
Filed under Slides by on Jun 12th, 2011.
The 5-0 grind (pronounced “5″ “0″ like the TV show) is similar in regards to the 50-50 grind except that a 5-0 is done with the front truck held up off of whatever obstacle your riding.
Start on something low enough to ollie up on or you might end up really hurting yourself. If you drag your tail on your first tries to stop yourself from bailing know that it is alright. Just remember that the trick is only done properly when you are not dragging your tail behind you. Think of the trick like a manual grind. Remember that you always get points in skating for style!
How To 5-0 Grind On A Skateboard
Step 1
Line yourself up with your target after you get up to a good speed.
Step 2
Ollie on top of what you want to grind on.
Step 3
When you land you want to push your back foot down so you can feel the truck on the object. Focus on keeping the nose of the board up with your front foot lightly placed on it.
Step 4
As usual you want your arms to help you stay balanced and for keeping your shoulders straight, so put them to good use. Knees should both be bent.
Step 5
When you get to the end simply grind off the object and push your front foot down so it is level and your feet are balanced.
Step 6
As you are descending toward the ground try to focus on having all four wheels touch down at the same time.
Step 7
Stomp the landing and roll away.
Congratulations! You now know how to 5-0 grind on a skateboard.
Filed under Grinds by on Jun 11th, 2011.
The heel flip is a slight variation in foot movement from the kick flip yet becomes a completely new trick.
The method is relatively the same as the kick flip in that you will ollie into the move and have the board spin 360 degrees top over bottom.
The big difference is in the way you kick the board. The heel flip requires you to kick the board away from you with your heel to get it spinning.
How To Heel Flip On A Skateboard
Step 1
Get yourself up to a good level of speed. Position your feet like we showed you in our how to ollie page but this time you want to hang the toes of your front foot over the board by about an inch and have the back foot more on the heel edge of the tail. The idea is to counterbalance the spin with your feet in proper positioning.
Step 2
Ollie as high off of the ground as you can possibly get. The higher you can get the more rotation time the board has which means you will have an easier time catching and landing on the board.
Step 3
The key to this great trick is that as you drag your front foot towards the nose in your ollie simply kick your foot away from you to make the board flip. You want to focus on the board spinning below you.
Step 4
Make sure that to keep your feet up and away from the board as you focus on it spinning. Watch for the bottom of the board to prepare yourself for the landing.
Step 5
When you see grip tape again get your feet ready to catch the board. Aim for the bolts.
Step 6
Your feet should catch the board at approximately the same time. With bent knees absorb the landing, stomp it and roll away.
Congratulations! You now know how to heel flip on a skateboard.
Filed under Flip Tricks by on Jun 10th, 2011.
I am sure you have seen those great videos on the net of people doing face plants when they try dropping in for the first time. The reason that people of all ages, athletic ability and ego fail is because they do not know how to drop in on a skateboard properly.
Sure it is intimidating to stand on the edge and look down the ramp for the first time but once you commit there is no turning back. If you are part of the way through a flip trick you can easily move your feet to the side to avoid landing if it doesn’t look or feel right. On the other hand, when you drop in you have no choice once that front foot starts going down. You either go down on your board or on your ass.
So as you can guess, dropping in is all about committing. Lean forward and commit yourself to staying on your feet thereby eliminating any fears or hesitations that may enter your mind. People who hesitate end up in face planting videos on the internet. We recommend that you strap on a helmet and some pads to build your confidence for your first few drops.
How To Drop In On A Skateboard
Step 1
Place the tail of your board with your back truck resting against the coping. Your back foot should be holding it in place on the tail.
Step 2
Focus. Take a deep breath and think about what the perfect drop in looks like.
Step 3
When your ready to drop in place your front foot over the bolts on the front trucks.
Step 4
The motion you make when you place your front foot down should be swift. In essence you want to shift your weight off your back foot and toward the front so that your body is moving forward. Be careful here because if you push too hard either way you will bail. Find the sweet spot where you find balance with the shifting motion of the board. Remember hesitation equals trouble.
Step 5
After you feel yourself push through the initial downward motion and you are on the next transition you can officially say you know how to drop in. Congratulations!
Filed under Transitions by on Jun 8th, 2011.
The 50-50 grind is one of the easiest to learn on a skateboard. The secret to a good 50-50 grind is the mix of speed and balance. You want a good amount of speed to keep you from stalling out on the grind and you want to have your weight spread out evenly over both feet to keep you in a centered position on the board to prevent yourself from falling. You need to know how to ollie before you can do this trick!
Keep your shoulders parallel to the object you are grinding. Select a grind target that is easy enough for you to ollie on to. Avoid the pain when your learning and choose a smaller and easier target.
How To 50-50 Grind On A Skateboard
Step 1
Line yourself up with your target after you get up some speed.
Step 2
Ollie yourself on top of what you want to be grinding on.
Step 3
When you land you want to push both feet down together so you can feel the trucks lock onto the object. Focus on landing both trucks on the object at the same time.
Step 4
Your arms are great for helping you stay balanced and for keeping your shoulders straight, so put them to good use.
Step 5
When you get to the end simply lift up the front truck and keep your feet balanced.
Step 6
As you are descending toward the ground try to focus on having all four wheels touch down at the same time.
Step 7
Stomp the landing and roll away.
Congratulations! You now know how to 50-50 grind on a skateboard.
Filed under Grinds by on Jun 7th, 2011.
Kick flips are a sexy looking trick that every skater wants to master. A well done kick flip looks great while a poorly performed one can make you look like an uncoordinated fool.
For those unaware a kick flip is when the board spins 360 degrees board top over bottom. Think what a barrel roll done by an airplane looks like. This means the nose and tail do not change direction. The board actually flips toward your toes when done properly.
To perform a kick flip properly you need to get some good height from your ollie so you have plenty of time to catch the board before you land. You will need to know how to ollie before you can master the kick flip.
How To Kick Flip On A Skateboard
Step 1
You need to hit a decent level of speed.
Step 2
Ollie so that you are as high as you possibly can get. Higher equals more board rotation time and therefore more time to catch it.
Step 3
The key to the trick is that as you drag your front foot towards the nose simply kick your foot toward the heel side of the nose to make the board flip. You want the board to spin below you and give yourself lots of height.
Step 4
Make sure that your feet stay up and away from the board as you watch it spin. Watch for the bottom of the board to prepare yourself for the landing.
Step 5
When you see grip tape again get your feet ready to catch the board. Aim for the bolts.
Step 6
Your feet should catch the board at approximately the same time. With bent knees absorb the landing, stomp it and roll away.
Congratulations! You now know how to kick flip on a skateboard.
Filed under Flip Tricks by on Jun 6th, 2011.
Skateboarding Tricks List
How To Stop A SkateboardNow that you have learned how to push a skateboard, you need to know how to stop a...
Skate ShoesSkate Shoes – Why Getting The Right Shoe Is Important You will find that shoes have a hard time...
How To Find Your StanceBefore you can actually ride a skateboard you have to know what your stance is. By stance I mean...
How To 50-50 Grind On A SkateboardThe 50-50 grind is one of the easiest to learn on a skateboard. The secret to a good 50-50 grind is...
How To 5-0 Grind On A SkateboardThe 5-0 grind (pronounced "5" "0" like the TV show) is similar in regards to the 50-50 grind except...
How To Ollie On A SkateboardWant to learn how to ollie on a skateboard? The ollie is the basis from which all of modern...
How To Lipslide On A SkateboardThe first time I saw a lipslide done I actually thought it was a boardslide. Nope, I was dead...
How To 360 Flip On A SkateboardThe 360 flip or Tre flip is one of the most challenging flip tricks that you can do. It's basically...
How To Heel Flip On A SkateboardThe heel flip is a slight variation in foot movement from the kick flip yet becomes a completely...
How To Push A SkateboardSo we already explained in how to find your stance the proper way to stand on your board and now...
How To Tic Tac On A SkateboardBack in the 60's the Tic Tac was a must do in any skate comp. Why? Because you were deducted points...
How To Checkerboard Your Skate Shoelaces So you what to checkerboard your skate shoelaces? In order to do this you will need the following...
How To Pump On A SkateboardNow that you have learned how to drop in on a skateboard you will need to learn how to maintain...
Hard GoodsThe skateboard is obviously the most important part of skateboarding. The skateboard consists of...
How To Nollie On A SkateboardThe nollie is merely a reflection of an ollie. What I mean is that instead of jumping from the tail...
How To Kick Up A SkateboardNow that you know how to stop a skateboard we can move along to the kick up. At the end of a long...
How To Fall SkateboardingSooner or later you will bite it and it will hurt. Are you scared now? For some, the fear of...
How To Manual On A SkateboardThe manual is where you balance on either the front or back set of wheels while moving. Now this...
How To Turn On A SkateboardSo now that you can stand and push yourself on your board the next logical thing to learn is...
How to Boardslide on a SkateboardWhen you first start to skateboard rails and do slides, the boardslide is going to be the easiest...
How To Set Up A SkateboardWhen you first learn how to set up a skateboard the feeling of putting it all together by yourself...
Skateboard Ramps and RailsBy now you have progressed in your riding and want to improve by hitting up some skateboard ramps...
How To Drop In On A SkateboardI am sure you have seen those great videos on the net of people doing face plants when they try...