How to Skate for Beginners: The Complete Guide (2023)

It doesn't matter if you are old. young, overweight, tall or skinny, skateboarding is a fun sport to master. Hardly anyone learns to skate the first day, it takes time, dedication and a bit of courage.

I've seen plenty of skateboarding guides that claim to explain skateboarding to beginners, but most of them just skip the basics and move on to advanced tricks that take years to master. In summary, you need to do the following to learn to skate.

1. Place your skateboard on a patch of grass.
2. Put your feet in the correct position.
3. Jump in and out, lean forward and back
4. Start learning to push.
5. Learn to spin.
6. Learn to ride a fakie.

Prepare before you start skating

The basics of skateboarding are keeping your balance and having fun. You must learn to control your board using your feet while keeping your core mass on the board. This comes with trial and error.

The first day, you do nothing but practice your balance and maybe a little walk. Find a smooth surface like a parking lot and avoid crowded places. Prepare yourself with the proper protection and try to befriend an experienced skater to guide you.

I'll cover the steps to get a skateboard, safety, and how to get through your first day on a skateboard without getting discouraged. If you don't have fun, you give up.

You should understand the basics before trying anything more advanced. If you can keep your balance, you'll avoid some of the most common injuries and continue to skate with confidence.

Now, before we go pro, there are a few things you need to know before you learn to skate.

Get a quality skateboard

There are a few different types of skateboards. Although many people don't know or see the difference, the type of skateboard you need depends on what you want to do with it. If you just want to cruise and use a hoverboard for transportation, you're probably better off getting one.crucero or a longboard.

Street skating obviously requires a different kind of skateboarding. You need something flexible and light, the same goes for mini ramps and skates.

Don't buy a toy skateboard. Visit your local skate shop for quality supplies. Still, you have to be careful these days, as a cheap imported board can easily break.

There are a few things to check for a quality tire. Be sure to check out the item before running to the store.

Don't spend too much on your first skateboard!

You can get a complete pro skateboard for around $90 to $130, less if you're lucky. Consider buying a complete deck and avoid toy stores. Toy tires break easily, are heavy, and have poor-quality parts.

Once you've made progress, you can consider assembling a skateboard using the components you want. i rode a bitComplete Beginner Tireswith a budget so you know what to look for.

get proper shoes

The most important thing here is probably to get good shoes. You should wear shoes that absorb shock and have flat soles. The shock absorption will prevent nasty heel injuries, which don't heal quickly and come back if you're unlucky.

It is also important that you feel your board, your shoes must be flexible. Be careful when buying shoes like the Nike SB series. Some are more fashionable than truly functional, and the truth is that these brands do nothing for the sport.

Here are some brands to look out for: Etnies, Vans, Emerica, Lakai, etc.

It is normal to feel pain in your feet, even more so when you are new to skateboarding. It still hurts a bit after not skating for a while, you have to get used to it. It will disappear when you skate more often. Make sure you wear shoes that aren't too tight!

Consider wearing running socks

Your feet will be sweaty and your socks will be soaked. Well mine does anyway. I just received my running socks, which absorb most of the sweat. It also helps prevent blisters!

I'm sure there are skate socks out there, but some running socks will do just fine. I just checked, yeah, a lot of skate socks, they look great. Don't expect them to help absorb shock or protect your ankles.

Stay safe and wear protective gear.

A somewhat unpopular topic with skaters, but it's important to wear protection when you're just starting out. Depending on where you live, ending up in the hospital can also take its toll. For older beginners, taking care of the family and being able to work the next day is worth more than looking good.

I think it's more of a thing when you're younger. You often see skaters without protection (except vet skaters), mainly because they are experienced and know how to fall.

If you're a beginner, taking precautions will not only prevent injury, but also give you more confidence. you can go to oneprotective equipmentTo save some money, at least buy a helmet and knee pads.

examine your skateboard

Sharp edges, worn bearings, broken kingpins, and loose bolts are all accidents waiting to happen. This isn't a problem since your board just came out of the shop, but inspecting your equipment before you ride can prevent damage.

You don't have to do this every time, just be sure to inspect your board from time to time.

• Check your bearings as a broken one can block the movement of the wheel.
• Make sure the wheels are secure.
• Make sure the bottom plates cannot move (screws at the top of the clip).
• The sharp edges of your tire can cause nasty cuts.
• Worn duct tape will reduce your grip.

do not be ashamed

It happens to every new skater. What will the neighbors think? I look like an idiot. People will laugh at me because I have no idea what I'm doing. Don't worry, it's completely normal. I'm a grown man, I'm not bad at skating, but sometimes when I'm in a new park, I get the same feeling.

Everyone has had to learn to skate at some point. We all suck once. No skater will laugh at you, in fact you can ask for help and people are willing to help you. It's okay, people on the street can make comments, but who cares. Skates by yourself, to learn a new skill, to have fun.

If it's really important to you, try to find a quiet place, like an empty parking lot or using your driveway. Keep going, it won't be long before you can push and pedal. I still get comments from old ladies that I'm too old to skate. "It is for children!" I just laugh and go on my way and give a witty answer 5 minutes later.

Fear is normal, baby with confidence

It is something that is part of skateboarding. Fear is what keeps you from getting hurt, but sometimes it does. If you're just starting out, don't do anything you're not ready for.

About 33% of skaters who end up in the hospital are beginners. To be fair, overcoming fear is not easy. You know you can do something, you have the ability, but there is still the fear of falling.

Just get some protective gear, it will give you confidence and you won't strain your muscles too much because you are afraid. Build slowly, don't plan to hit the trick, just try to feel it.

You don't have to think too much. If you want to take the first step and stay there for 5 minutes, walk away. Do something else and come back. If you think too much, you will get hurt.

Don't skate in the rain

Skating in the rain isn't just bad for your bearings and tires. It's just dangerous. Your wheels will lose grip and you will fall. Your grip will have less resistance and your tire will soften and lose its pop, or worse, delaminate.

If it's a bit wet outside, you can give it a try, but it's still bad for your hardware. Some skaters have a rain cover for rainy days. Usually this just means an old tire, old wheels, bearings, etc. Just make sure you always take good care of your equipment.

Find a flat, smooth surface

I can't tell you how many times I've been stopped at a standstill caused by twigs and pebbles. That horrible sound just before you hit the ground, you'll eventually find it, and it happens to the best of us.

The worst part is that it almost always comes unexpectedly. You can avoid this by riding larger, softer wheels and not putting too much pressure on your front foot.

Worse still are the little pieces of glass, I don't think I need to explain what happens when you're unlucky. This is a bigger problem when the wheels are harder, softer and the larger wheels often found on longboards suffer less.

So before you decide to ride, scan the area for pebbles, twigs, and broken glass. A smooth surface helps you avoid nasty unexpected drops you can't prepare for.

Ideally you can practice in skateparks, it can be intense as there are a lot of skaters so going early in the morning is a good way to avoid them. It can also be less uncomfortable. Use the parking lots (preferably empty) or your driveway if there isn't a skate park nearby.

Take a few hours and be patient.

Maybe you know someone who can guide you, or consider doing somethingskating lessons(sponsored link to goskate.com). They can help you find a local instructor. You should try to practice a bit before taking the class to get the most out of it. Be sure to take the time to improve your skills.

It is better to practice 1 hour than a few hours with the wrong posture and the wrong techniques. I honestly wouldn't worry too much about it. In general, it's great to spend time skateboarding and getting into it.

Getting some guidance can be very beneficial, it will take you a long time to improve if you skip the basics. Having grown up before YouTube and having a hard time learning tricks, I bought VHS tapes (Rodney Mullen VS Daewon Song, yay!) for inspiration. I also made that mistakemongo style skating, I'm sorry.

Try to spend as much time as possible training your muscle memory. Do this by repeating small balance exercises several times. It may sound boring, but it will help you keep going and avoid nasty injuries.

Learning new tricks is a matter of repetition. When I skate with my friends, we have a rule. If you can't do a trick three times in a row, you haven't mastered it. It's more of a joke, but you get the point.

Respect the culture, the skate etiquette.

It is very important to be respectful of your fellow skaters. Skaters will be very supportive when you ask for directions, such as going down a mini-ramp for the first time. They'll help show you how to do it and even lend you protective gear.

In my personal experience, I've never seen skaters harass anyone who isn't already on their level. But in general, if you act like a jerk, you won't get anyone's support.

And to you parents out there. I've seen parents hijack mini ramps and fun boxes because their kids like to slide. The "my son has every right to be here" mentality will not go down well. Never do this, you risk hurting your child because it is an accident waiting to happen.

One more thing. If you see someone doing a cool trick, you can show respect by hitting your skateboard twice (or more) on the ground or copying it. This is how skaters clap. If you hear more than 2 hits, you've probably pulled a big trick, but it could just as well be the other guy.

Don't expect to learn in one day

in theory you couldskate in a day, probably not very nice, but it depends. If you're already good at other sports, you'll probably pick up skating pretty quickly. This doesn't mean you can do kickflips or other advanced tricks, but you can pedal.

If you're not very good at sports, it may be more difficult, but don't let that discourage you. It's all about having fun and like any sport you have to train to be good at it. There are a few things you can do to speed up the process.

• Try balancing on a skateboard to improve your footwork strength and precision.
• Build your core strength by doing core exercises
• Improve mobility/flexibility and suppress reflexes so your body can autonomously return to a state of balance.
• Practical journal!

Out of shape? try to exercise first

People who practice regularly will learn to skate much faster. You are also more prone to injury when you are out of shape. I'm not saying you have to be a fit athlete, but if you're exhausted after walking a mile, you need to work on that first.

Skateboarding or as much as I can

Skate whenever you can, preferably every day. Take your skateboard to work, school, friends, etc. Starting out with a passenger-only skateboard is a great way to get used to riding a skateboard. You will probably want softer wheels to make the ride more comfortable.

avoid crowded places

For your safety and the safety of others, avoid crowded places and traffic. You can seriously injure not only yourself, but also others. I have seen people seriously injured when a skateboard hits their ankles or Achilles tendon. The most serious accidents are caused by vehicles, so be careful.

learn to fall

You're going to fall, so you better know how to fall. You can start walking on the grass and fall on purpose. Try to roll if possible, but sliding on your knees and wrists will also reduce impact as long as you wear protection.

Falling down is part of the game and you have to be prepared for it. Some skaters roll to reduce impact and others slide on their knee and wrist pads. If you plan to wear protective gear, learn the proper techniques. If you're not wearing protective gear, try rolling.

limit your speed

Once you get the hang of it, or so you think, you'll gain more confidence. Remember to limit your speed, even more so when there is traffic around you. If you are going very fast and you don't know how to brake, you will have bad weather.

I learned this the hard way when going downhill in France, I gained so much speed that I couldn't brake anymore. The only option I had was to run away and of course I was stupid enough not to wear protective gear. That was over 20 years ago and I still have some scars to remind me of that.

bring some tools

Make sure everything is set up correctly. Your trucks should not be too loose or too tight. Bring some tools to adjust your dash until you feel it's just right. You need to be able to drive, so you need to find what works for you. You can buy a skateboard tool that has everything you need. Get a good one though, not the cheap $6 tools.

You are never too old!

Age problems can learn to skate at 30, 40, 50 or even 60.Skateboard, when you are an adultIt's not impossible, but you learn to skate faster when you're younger. If you are over 27, for example, it becomes more difficult.

After the age of 30, you really need to make sure you use the proper protection. You won't get up easily, you will fall more, and you will probably have responsibilities. Also, he agrees that you won't be the next Tony Hawk, it's just that skating is a rewarding activity.

mount the board

Okay, you get the point. Relax, breathe and don't be afraid. Skating for the first time is really weird. It will look unnatural and you will fall. To make this as easy as possible, there are a few things you can do to get used to a skateboard without falling flat on your face.

The most important thing to learn is to keep your balance. I have some tips to keep your balance without falling or hurting yourself. After this, it's time to step on the pedals for the first time and learn to push. Don't do anything you're not ready for, leave the ollies for now.

How to get on a skateboard and keep your balance

You need to get used to a skateboard and make sure you place your feet correctly. Your first attempt will be awkward and maybe a bit scary, don't step on a tire when it can be moved. To prevent the board from slipping under, you can place the deck on a piece of grass or rug.

That way you get a bit of the feel of balancing on a board, and your board won't take off without you. Of course you want to sit still, riding a board on grass is not exactly what you want, but you want to learn and feel the board.

Once you've done that, step out and stand with both feet on the board and slightly bend your knees. This will help you maintain your center of gravity and bring you closer to the ground. Practice going up and down steps using the 'push foot', once you are comfortable and not losing your balance all the time you should learn to push off.

How to skate for the first time

Now that we've covered the basics, it's time to assemble. Try to skate at least 3 times a week to progress. The first thing to do is figure out which foot you want to present. Is your stance regular (left foot forward) or silly (right foot forward)?

It's neither good nor bad, it's just your personal preference. If you use the wrong foot, things will be difficult and frustrating. Sometimes you see skaters pushing off with their front foot, the problem is that it takes longer to get back into a comfortable position. If you've snowboarded before, you'll probably have to lead the same foot; otherwise, follow these instructions:

• Run forward and imagine that you are going to a smooth surface that you want to slide on.
• Now jump and land without thinking too much and put one foot forward, that's probably the foot you want forward.
• Another method is to ask a friend to push you off while you are standing, the foot you use to step forward is likely to be your front foot.

learn to push

Now that you've figured out which foot to use on the front of the board, let's start pushing the board. Place your foot (facing forward) on the front bolts of the truck (bend your knees) and use the other foot to give it a little push, take it easy and don't step on the board.

You have to practice a few times first.

Then place your other foot on the platform and place your front foot on its side; rotating the foot will help maintain balance. So basically how you skate is like this:

1. Place your front foot on the front bolts of your skateboard.
2. Push off with the other foot.
3. Push off with your back foot and place it on the tail.
4. Place your front foot to the side.

Keep doing this until you feel comfortable, it may take a few days or weeks before you feel control depending on how much you practice. If you don't feel comfortable after practicing many times, try putting the other foot in front. Just take your board to school, work, or a friend's house to catch up on skating.

Like anything else in life, you have to practice before you can master a new skill.
Don't be arrogant when you think you have everything under control. Forget ollies and kickflips for now. The next thing you want to learn is how to flip.

Don't try to ollie or kickflip for a while.

You see it very often. People completely skip the basics and start ollying right away. Do not do this. If you don't understand the basics, it will take you longer to learn the tricks. You have to feel your skate.

It should look like a natural extension of your body. When you can safely push or steer like it's second nature, you're good to go. But you still shouldn't start kickflips or ollies before you can roll. At the end of this post, I have some really basic tricks that look great and aren't too hard to learn. Once you have that, do your ollies.

learn to spin

Begin by stepping on the board with both feet. Lean forward and use your feet as well when you do this. Your board will react to your movements and once you get used to it, experiment as you ride.

There are two types of curves that you can use to maneuver your board, a kick curve and a carving curve.

A kick turn is a bit more difficult, you'll need to lift the front wheels off the ground by gently pressing down on the tail with your rear foot. Carving is when you lean in and use your body weight to steer.

It's harder to turn if your axles are tight, you'll have to loosen them up a bit (not a lot!). Just lean in the direction you want to go and your table will follow.

learn to stop

Braking from the front is not recommended, so before you start power slides, the easiest way to stop the motion is to use your back foot. Just pull on the sole of the shoe to slow down. Just use the same stance you use to push up and slowly press down into the ground.

Lean your foot towards the front (nose) of your board, it's not that hard if you limit your speed. If you get into traffic and think you won't make it, run away! I just hope you haven't forgotten to wear protective gear.

More Basic Skate Skills

Welcome back to this article, I guess by now you've been practicing for days or even weeks and you're comfortable skating and you're still in one piece! Now that you're ready, let's learn some basic tricks.

Again, it's very basic, but it will help you get a feel for it even more before you start doing flips, spins, grinds, and slides. It's time to learn about different ways to stand on your skateboard.

• regular/fat attitude possible
• Fakie (riding backwards)
• Change position (totally opposite to your normal posture)
• Nose position (less relevant for now)

Try to go backwards (fakie)

Is what you ask really a trick? Well, not really, but if you get the hang of it, it will open up a bunch of easy to learn tricks that look amazing! Skating backwards is essential, I'm not even talking about changing positions yet. Since I don't recommend learning tricks if you're just starting out, this is a perfect way to get to know your board even better.

The best way to learn fakie is to go up a ramp or quarter pipe and back up. Just come up and turn your head and shoulders in the direction you need to (backwards). In this case, you do not need to move your feet, the back foot will be on the tail. This allows you to become familiar with the false position before proceeding with the contact.

Going up a hill or around a curve can be quite difficult, do not lean forward as you could fall. Try to lean back a bit and bend your knees.

We've talked a bit about regular and silly stance, to master a smooth ride you need to learn how to fakie or change stance. Skating backwards will help you learn more tricks, but it will also improve your style.

If you're comfortable rolling both ways, you're ready to pull tricks like going up a ramp and down a fakie on the cheap. It will feel uncomfortable and unnatural at first and is more difficult to master than the regular roller.

Return to normal position after fakie

It is important to learn how to return to the normal stance after mounting a fakie. As you progress, many of the tricks you learn require you to land in a false stance. So how do you do it? Turn 180 degrees!

Look in the direction you want to turn. Drive your curve with your shoulders and upper body and maintain your center of gravity. Put a little pressure on the tail (which is in front of you, under the back foot). Don't put too much pressure on your high when turning. You also want to turn inward, which is a bit more difficult.

Then turn your shoulders and upper body in, press the tail a little and twist. Do this slowly, if you position your body correctly your nose should be off the floor and your legs and hips will follow naturally. So just put your nose down and that's it.

real skateboard tricks for beginners

When I google basic skateboard tricks, I can't find basic tricks. I'm not considering kickflips and triple flip tricks for beginners, what are these guys thinking? Anyway, I came up with a few tricks you can focus on once you get the basics down. Some are harder than others, but they still look awesome! Update: added 23real tricks for beginnersthat makes you look good

Collection of your deck, elegant

From now on, you no longer have to bend down to pick up your skateboard. There are countless ways to choose your tire. Here are some.

Then the classic Tic Tac

I personally hate it, but it's great for more control over your framework. This isn't really difficult once you get the basics down.

pumping

It's time to pick up the pace and master the transition skate. Timing is everything and once you do, you'll have a blast at your local skatepark.

Learn Manuals (Ponytail)

It may not sound like much, but manuals are fun! You probably won't gain more than a few inches at first, but it will gradually improve. This is a great balance exercise and you will benefit from combining tricks with manuals later on.

The famous cave man

Ready to literally jump on your board? Do the caveman. You will have to hold the skateboard in your hand, jump into the air and land on the platform with your feet. Scary I know, but a great feeling when you do it right.

no spikes

This is a bit of a scary trick at first, but you just have to do it. You can start doing this on a piece of grass if you want. Once you know how to do it, it's time to take your bone to the next level.

Try a mini ramp

When you feel comfortable, get on a mini-ramp if possible. Simply walk back and forth while pushing slightly with both feet to maintain momentum. Bend your knees and lower your body near the bends. The amount of pressure also depends on the wheels and the bearing. Soft wheels require more power than hard wheels.

• Keep your body weight centered.
• Shoulders and upper body go first.
• Press down on the tail and twist your upper body if you're going for a kick spin.
• Turn your lower body and your skateboard will follow you

try mounting the switch

The drive switch is slightly different in that you'll have to put your back foot in front (forward) and use your front foot to turn. The best way to learn is to put your back foot on the front studs (where the front truck is attached) and push off with the other foot.

Push off just once and place your other foot near the tail of the board and place your front foot to the side for balance.

This shouldn't be difficult if you practice, it gets more difficult as you try to pick up speed and hit more shots. So take it easy, as always, and get used to it little by little.

Once you get the hang of it, try some driving. With your knees slightly bent, lean forward on your toes and heels, depending on which direction you want to go. Again, this will look awkward for a long time.

Also try changing skates all the time for a few days, repetition will help you get the hang of it. Just pretend it's your normal posture and force yourself to flip the switch. Do all the basic things that are challenging when you first learned to skate.

'Jumping' from small pavements, carving, manual production, etc. Ultimately this will help your body gain muscle memory and your brain will adjust accordingly.

Remember that skating is fun. Learning to ride a switch is one thing, learning tricks is another. If the latter is too frustrating, let it slide.