One key moment in skateboarding history was in 1959, when a surfer named Jake Phelps attached clay wheels to his plank, allowing for smoother rides on the pavement. From there, the sport took off, with riders constantly pushing for new tricks and styles. And one of the most impressive feats? Standing on the board without holding onto anything else is freestyle standing.
Skateboarding has evolved into a high-speed, extreme sport, with professional athletes flipping and spinning their way to gold medals in the X Games and beyond. But before you can nail those tricks, you must master the basics: starting with how to stand on a skateboard.
How do these skilled skaters manage to balance on such a small area? Believe it or not, it all comes down to practice and muscle memory. Skateboarders train their bodies to adjust and shift their body weight at just the right moments, even while performing aerial stunts or grinds on rails. And speaking of grinding, did you know that this popular trick was discovered by accident? Read on!
Skateboarding Styles History
Despite its humble beginnings, skateboarding quickly grew in popularity. Soon, enthusiasts took it to the streets and sidewalks, attempting daring tricks and turns. The street-riding style quickly eclipsed the original surf-inspired moves, bringing new challenges and obstacles.
Skate parks began popping up all over the country, providing concrete playgrounds for these skilled athletes to perfect their craft.
Despite its rough start as a backyard toy, skateboarding has evolved into a highly respected sport boasting some of the most impressive athletic feats in modern history. And who knows what innovative tricks are still to come?
What You Will Need to Stand on a Skateboard
If you’re ready to start skateboarding, you’ll need a few things.
- First and foremost, of course, is a skateboard. When choosing one, consider the size and shape – different boards are better suited for different tricks and styles of riding.
- Next, you’ll want a helmet to protect your head from falls. Knee pads and wrist guards can also help prevent injury – and trust me, learning how to skate won’t be fun if you’re constantly nursing bruises or sprains.
- Finding the right shoes is also important for traction on the board and comfort while standing and performing tricks. As you progress, you may also want to invest in ramps or other structures for practicing specific stunts.
How To Stand on A Skateboard
Before jumping onto a skateboard, it’s important to understand how to stand on it properly.
One way is to place one foot, right foot, or left near the middle of the board and then evenly distribute your weight by placing the other foot at the back end of the board.
Another common way to do this is by placing your back right foot at a 45-degree angle on the tail of the board and your front foot slightly in front of the center of the board. This stance, known as a regular foot stance, is often considered the go-to stance for beginners. However, some skaters prefer to have their dominant foot at the back, leading to a “goofy” stance.
Additionally, there are variations of these stances, such as frontside and backsides, where one or both feet are rotated towards or away from the direction of travel.
Another common technique is to place one foot in front near the nose of the board and balance on that foot while pushing off with your back foot. It’s also important to consider the type of skateboarding you’ll be doing when deciding on your natural stance – for instance; street skateboarders typically prefer a narrower stance for greater control.
In comparison, long-boarders often use a wider comfortable stance for stability during high speeds. Experiment with different stances to find what feels most comfortable and allows for smooth movement on your skateboard on a flat surface.
How to Position Your Body on the Skateboard
Your body position is just as important as your foot placement when learning to stand on a skateboard.
For starters, always keep your knees slightly bent and your back straight. This will help you maintain balance and avoid injury if you fall.
As you gain more experience, you can experiment with different positions. For instance, some skateboarders like to crouch low to the ground for greater stability, while others stand up tall to perform tricks.
How to Push off and Start Moving
Starting on a skateboard may seem intimidating, but it’s quite simple once you understand the basics. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to push off.
- First, ensure your skateboard is properly set up for your regular stance and style of riding.
- Place your front right or left foot on the middle of the board near the bolts and your back foot slightly angled behind near the tail.
- Next, bend your knees and lean forward to begin getting some momentum.
- Once you feel comfortable and stable, push off with your back foot to start rolling forward.
- Gradually shift your weight onto your front foot or whichever foot you glide forward and continue practicing until you feel confident in pushing off effectively.
Tips for Staying Upright and Avoiding Falls
As a skateboarder, staying upright and avoiding falls can be the difference between having a good session or ending up bruised and battered.
Here are some tips for keeping your balance while on a skateboard:
1. Make sure you understand the basics, including pushing, turning, and stopping. Once you have mastered these basics, you can plan and execute tricks with greater control and stability. Start with the basics, like keeping your feet shoulder-width apart.
2. Keep your feet positioned correctly and evenly distributed on the board. Placing too much weight on one first foot can throw off your balance and lead to falls even on soft terrain.
3. Practice regularly to improve coordination and muscle memory. The more comfortable you are with riding, the easier it will be to maintain control of the board.
4. Be aware of your surroundings at all times and skate in areas with little to no traffic. This will give you more time to react if someone or something enters your path unexpectedly.
5. Listen to your body – pay attention to fatigue or discomfort that may affect your ability to stay balanced on your skateboard. Take breaks as needed and stop skating if necessary to prevent falls.
The Key Components of Freestyle Standing on a Skateboard
When it comes to freestyle standing on a skateboard, there are a few basics that every rider needs to know.
First and foremost, correct foot placement plays a crucial role in maintaining balance and control on the board. Most beginners start with their back foot on the tail of the board and their front foot near the middle, but every rider ultimately develops their preferred stance.
Next is pushing off and keeping momentum by continuously “flicking” or snapping the board’ with your back foot. And, of course, practicing tricks such as kickflips and pop shuvits helps to improve coordination and overall freestyle skills. However, it’s important not to forget about body positioning in all of this: keeping your weight centered and your knees bent will ensure better control while landing tricks and a proper balance.
The Importance of Muscle Memory in Skateboarding Tricks and Techniques
Muscle memory is an important aspect of skateboarding tricks and techniques, as it helps professional skaters perform complex moves without any worry or thinking about them.
For instance, when learning how to kickflip, muscle memory will help you to automatically place your feet in the correct position without having to think about it.
The same goes for other tricks, such as ollies and pop shuvits.
Developing muscle memory takes time and practice, but it is an important part of becoming a successful skateboarder.