How To Do a Frontside 180 Ollie

  • January 8, 2009
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The Frontside 180 Ollie is a skateboarding maneuver where the rider pops their board into the air and then does a 180-degree turn in mid-flight. Exclaiming “Gnarly!” afterward is totally optional.

You Will Need

  • A skateboard
  • A flat, dry surface
  • Lots of practice
  • Courage and stamina

Always wear protective clothing, including a helmet, wrist guards, elbow pads, kneepads, and appropriate footwear. Skateboarding is not recommended for children under the age of 6, and children between the ages of 6 and 10 should only be allowed to ride with adult supervision.

How To Do a Frontside 180 Ollie: Push forward

Step 1: Push forward

The easiest way to perform this trick is by using a rolling start. Begin by pushing the board forward at a comfortable speed – but the faster you go, the higher the board will lift off of the ground.

How To Do a Frontside 180 Ollie: Position front foot

Step 2: Position front foot

As you roll, place your front foot about halfway up the board, at a slight forward angle. Your toes should be near the outside edge of the skateboard.

How To Do a Frontside 180 Ollie: Position back foot

Step 3: Position back foot

Put the ball of your back foot on the center of the tail.

How To Do a Frontside 180 Ollie: Lift back heel

Step 4: Lift back heel

With both of your feet on the skateboard, lift the heel of your back foot so your weight is on the ball of your foot and your toes.

How To Do a Frontside 180 Ollie: Squat

Step 5: Squat

In preparation to spring upward, squat down in a crouched position.

The lower you bend down, the higher your board will fly into the air.

How To Do a Frontside 180 Ollie: Twist your torso

Step 6: Twist your torso

As you bend your knees, twist the top half of your body by turning your torso around toward the tail of the board in the opposite direction you are heading.

How To Do a Frontside 180 Ollie: Straighten legs and unwind

Step 7: Straighten legs and unwind

Straighten out your legs to start your jump, and quickly unwind your body by spinning your torso back toward the front of your board. Try not to lower your head.

How To Do a Frontside 180 Ollie: Stomp back foot

Step 8: Stomp back foot

Stomp your back foot down so you smack the tail of your board to the ground, lifting the front of the board into the air.

How To Do a Frontside 180 Ollie: Jump

Step 9: Jump

Jump off of your back foot into the air, and slide your front foot up toward the nose of the board.

How To Do a Frontside 180 Ollie: Tuck

Step 10: Tuck

While jumping up, tuck your knees into your chest, which will pull the back of the skateboard with you into the air. Be sure to pick up your back foot as well, because that levels out the board horizontally.

How To Do a Frontside 180 Ollie: Complete turn

Step 11: Complete turn

At this point you should be halfway around. To complete the 180-degree turn in the air, pull the board with your back foot, using your toes to swing it the rest of the way around.

How To Do a Frontside 180 Ollie: Land

Step 12: Land

When you’ve turned all the way around and the board is heading back down to the ground, extend your legs and land. Bend your knees as you touch down, making sure both feet are squarely on the board.

Be sure to check your board regularly for any faults, cracked or broken wheels, or chipped parts. Tricks like these put a lot of wear on a skateboard.

How To Do a Frontside 180 Ollie: Practice looking over your shoulder

Step 13: Practice looking over your shoulder

You will now be rolling backward, so practice looking over your shoulder before trying this trick!

The world’s longest skateboard measures 30 feet 1 inch long, 9.8 inches wide, and two inches thick, and was completed in Newton, Massachusetts, in 2005.

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Comments (2)

sinisterj11

these are helpful keep em coming

over 4 years ago by sinisterj11

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HeatherM

Despite my complete clutziness I almost think I can skateboard now. Almost. Great video!

over 3 years ago by HeatherM

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mexican2000

always wear protective clothing, or make sure you have protective clothing on the ground near where you are skateboarding.

over 2 years ago by mexican2000

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