Basic Fundamentals of Skateboarding

Introduction

• Instructor: Tim from Tactics Board Shop
• Topics Covered:
  • Determining stance
  • Riding and pushing
  • Turning and stopping
  • Throwing down the board to ride without setting it down first

Determining Your Stance

• Stance Types:
  • Regular Footed: Left foot in front, right foot in back, body facing right
  • Goofy Footed: Right foot in front, left foot in back, body facing left
• Determining Stance Methods:
  • Shove test
  • Jump test
  • Slide Test:
    • Run and slide on ice/hardwood, note which foot leads.
• Foot Placement:
  • Front foot provides stability; the foot you stand on comfortably is usually the front foot.

Best Learning Environment

• Find a smooth area with minimal traffic:
  • Smooth sidewalk
  • Bike path
  • Empty street/parking lot
• Avoid crowded skate parks for initial learning.

Getting Familiar with the Board

• Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, body parallel to the board.
• Posture:
  • Upright with slightly bent knees, weight evenly distributed.

Pushing and Riding

• Pushing Technique:
  • Angle front foot about 30 degrees near hardware bolts.
  • Keep center of gravity above front foot while pushing with back foot.
  • Place back foot on rear bolts or tail after pushing.
  • Transition comfortably between pushing and riding positions.
• Commitment:
  • Avoid keeping weight on the back foot to maintain momentum.

Stopping Techniques

• Keep front foot on board, step off with back foot.
• For braking:
  • Drag back foot on the ground, keeping it rigid with steady pressure.

Turning Techniques

• Leaning to Turn:
  • Lean to initiate a turn.
  • If necessary, loosen kingpin nut for better turning.
• Types of Turns:
  • Carving Turns: Leaning turns.
  • Kick Turns: Lift front wheels and pivot for sharp turns.
• Kick Turn Steps:
  • Weight on back foot, press down on tail to lift front wheels, twist shoulders in the turn direction.

Navigating Obstacles

• Avoiding Debris: Scan ground for obstructions (cracks, sticks, etc.).
• Rolling Over Cracks:
  • Position feet on nose and tail, lift front wheels, then back.
  • Push technique: shove board while approaching the crack.
  • Light-footed approach for curbs.

Throwing Down the Board

• Hold the nose with the hand on the same side as the front foot.
• Step forward with the pushing foot, lower the board under the front foot.
• Transition into first push smoothly.

Conclusion

• Skateboarding takes practice; falling is part of learning.
• With determination, you'll be cruising soon!
• Encourage questions and sharing tips in the comments.