How To Do an Ollie

The easiest way to perform this trick is by using a rolling start, rather than standing still. Begin by pushing the board forward at a comfortable speed—the faster you go, the better the “pop.”

While moving forward, place your front foot about halfway up the board at a slight forward angle, and put the ball of your back foot on the center of the tail. Your toes on your front foot should be near the skateboard’s outer edge.

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

Squat your body down in a crouch in preparation to spring upward. The lower you bend your knees, the higher your board will fly into the air.

As you straighten your legs to start the jump, stomp your back foot down so you smack the tail of your board to the ground.

As the tail hits the ground, jump off your back foot into the air. Turn your front foot in until the side of your shoe rubs against your grip tape at the top of the skateboard. Lift your front leg, dragging it up the board toward the nose.

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

Now that you’ve leveled out, straighten your legs a little bit and let gravity bring you back down toward the ground.

To land the trick, bend your knees as you touch down, making sure both feet are squarely on the board and on your grip tape. Then roll away, leaving mouths agape with your new shredding skills!