• September 26, 2025

Easy Skateboarding Tricks for Beginners: Safe Fundamentals Step-by-Step (Start Safely)

Alright, let's get real. When I first stepped on a skateboard, I thought kickflips looked as easy as walking. Spoiler: I was wrong. Really wrong. My first month looked like a blooper reel with more bruises than actual tricks. But here's what I wish someone had told me - start with the stupid simple stuff. Those easy skateboarding tricks everyone skips? They're your golden ticket.

Look, I get it. You want to impress your friends or just feel that rush of landing something cool. But trying advanced moves without fundamentals is like building a house on quicksand. I learned this the hard way when I attempted a heelflip before mastering my ollie. Let's just say the sidewalk won that round.

Why Bother with Beginner Skateboarding Tricks?

You know what's wild? Most skaters bail on the basics too fast. They see Tony Hawk videos and think "how hard can it be?" Then reality hits. Those simple skateboard tricks everyone ignores? They're your foundation. They build:

  • Board control (trust me, you'll stop wobbling like a newborn deer)
  • Proper foot positioning (no more accidental board missiles)
  • Balance and coordination (so you don't faceplant when turning)
  • Confidence to progress (small wins keep you motivated)

I'll never forget my buddy Jake. Dude skipped straight to grinds. Broke his wrist week one. Meanwhile, I stuck with easy skateboarding tricks for two months. When I finally hit that first clean ollie? Felt like winning gold at the X Games.

Essential Gear That Actually Matters

Don't waste money on pro-level gear yet. Seriously. My first setup? A cheap complete board from Walmart. Worked fine for learning easy skate tricks. Here's what you actually need:

Item What to Look For Price Range My Hot Take
Skateboard 7.5" to 8.0" width deck, medium concave $40-$70 Don't obsess over brands. Cheap completes work great for starters
Helmet CPSC certified, proper fit $30-$50 Yes, you look dorky. No, concussions aren't cool
Wrist Guards Dual splint support $15-$25 Saved my palms countless times. Worth every penny
Shoes Flat-soled skate shoes (Vans, Etnies) $50-$80 Regular sneakers suck for board feel. Don't cheap out here

Biggest beginner mistake I see? People spending $200 on a pro deck then skating in running shoes. Your fancy board won't help when your foot slips off during an ollie attempt.

Stupid Simple Tricks to Build Your Foundation

Okay, let's cut to the chase. These easy skateboarding tricks are where you should start. I've ranked them by actual difficulty - not some idealized version.

1. The Manual (Way Harder Than It Looks)

Basically a wheelie on your skateboard. Sounds simple? Try balancing on two wheels without eating pavement. When I first tried manuals, I lasted maybe half a second. Here's how to actually get it:

  • Positioning: Back foot on tail, front foot near front bolts
  • The Motion: Shift weight to back foot while lifting front wheels JUST enough
  • Balance Point: Use your arms like tightrope walkers do (subtle movements)

Pro tip: Bend your knees more than you think you need to. Straight legs = guaranteed bail. Start on grass or carpet if balance feels impossible.

Common screw-ups? Leaning too far back (bye-bye board) or bending at the waist instead of knees. Took me three weeks before I could manual the length of a sidewalk square. Don't rush it.

2. Tic-Tac Turns (Your Secret Weapon)

This changed everything for me. Tic-tacs are those little wiggle turns that help you gain speed and steer. Most tutorials gloss over them, but they're essential for easy skate tricks progression.

How it works:

  1. Push normally to get moving
  2. Shift weight to tail and lift front wheels slightly
  3. Twist shoulders in direction you want to turn
  4. Set front wheels down at an angle
  5. Repeat to build momentum

First time I tried this? Looked like I was having a seizure on wheels. But once it clicks, you'll weave through parking lots like a pro. Perfect for navigating around cracks and pebbles too.

3. The Humble Ollie (Where Real Tricks Begin)

The gateway drug to skate tricks. Everyone wants it, most struggle with it. My first hundred attempts? Pathetic little hops where the board barely left the ground. Here's what finally worked:

Step Key Action Visual Cue
Foot Placement Back foot center of tail, front foot behind bolts Feet positioned like you're about to jump
The Pop SMACK tail down with ankle snap (not leg muscles) Imagine stepping on a soda can
Slide & Level Drag front foot up toward nose while jumping Like kicking a soccer ball diagonally
Landing Bend knees to absorb impact, weight centered Think cat landing from a jump

Brutal truth time: Your first 50 ollies will suck. Mine looked like sad little bunny hops. Common failure points? Not dragging front foot enough (board won't level) or leaning too far forward (board shoots out).

What made it click for me? Practicing the foot slide motion while holding onto a fence. Removed the fear of falling so I could focus on muscle memory. Give it a shot.

4. Shuvits (The Spin Move)

Once ollies feel somewhat consistent, shuvits are a logical next step for easy skateboarding tricks. The board spins 180 degrees beneath you. Looks flashy, surprisingly achievable.

  • Backfoot Only: Place back foot in tail pocket, front foot near bolts
  • The Scoop: Kick back foot straight back (like scraping mud off shoe)
  • Jump Lightly: Just enough to let board spin
  • Land: Aim for bolts with both feet

Different variations for different results:

Type Foot Position Rotation Difficulty
Frontside Shuvit Toes hanging off heelside Board spins frontside ★☆☆☆☆ (easiest)
Pop Shuvit Back foot in pocket Board spins with pop ★★☆☆☆
Bigspin Same as pop shuv 360 spin + body varial ★★★★☆ (not beginner!)

I prefer frontside shuvits for beginners. Why? The rotation naturally follows your body momentum. Took me two weeks landing these consistently. Key is committing to the jump - hesitation equals slipped boards flying at shins. Ouch.

Practice Strategy That Actually Works

Here's where most tutorials drop the ball. They show the trick but not how to practice. After coaching dozens of beginners, here's the routine I swear by:

Daily Skate Session Formula

Time Activity Purpose
0-5 mins Dynamic stretching (leg swings, arm circles) Warm up muscles, prevent injury
5-15 mins Just riding around (curves, pushing, stopping) Build board comfort
15-30 mins Focus on ONE trick (e.g., ollies) Deep practice
30-40 mins Practice previous trick (e.g., manuals) Reinforce muscle memory
Last 5 mins Just have fun riding Keep it enjoyable

Critical: Film yourself! I avoided this for months. When I finally did, I saw my ollies looked nothing like I imagined. Fixed my form in days once I saw the problems.

How often? Aim for 4-5 short sessions (30-45 mins) weekly rather than one marathon weekend session. Muscle memory builds faster with frequent repetition.

Progress Tracking That Keeps You Motivated

Skating gets frustrating when you don't see progress. Try this simple tracker:

Trick Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4
Manual Balance 1 sec Manual 3 ft Consistent 10 ft Combine with turns
Ollie Board leaves ground Level out in air Land both feet Ollie over crack
Shuvit Board spins 180° Catch with back foot Land one foot Land both feet

See how it builds gradually? I update mine on my phone's notes app every Sunday. Those small wins stack up.

Real Talk: Pain Management & Safety

Let's not sugarcoat - you will fall learning easy skateboarding tricks. My elbows looked like abstract art for months. Minimize damage with these unglamorous tips:

Falling Techniques That Save Bones

  • Roll Out: When falling forward, tuck and roll sideways over shoulder (not straight onto wrists)
  • Knee Slides: If wearing knee pads, aim to slide on them
  • Relax: Stiffening guarantees injury. Easier said than done, I know

Essential first aid kit items every skater should have:

  1. Disinfectant spray (that stinging sensation means it's working)
  2. Hydrocolloid bandages (they actually stay on sweaty skin)
  3. Instant ice packs (the "oh crap" moments)
  4. Arnica gel (for those deep bone bruises)

Confession time: I once skated with wrist pain for weeks thinking it was normal. Turned out to be a minor fracture. Don't be me. If something hurts consistently, get it checked.

When Should You Move Beyond Simple Skateboarding Tricks?

That moment when ollies feel automatic? When manuals become something you do without thinking while waiting at intersections? That's your green light.

Here's my personal progression path after mastering easy skate tricks:

  1. Frontside 180s (natural ollie extension)
  2. Pop Shuvits (adds pop to basic shuv)
  3. Boardslides on low curbs (start waxed and angled)
  4. Kickflips (the classic)

Notice what's missing? Grinds on high rails. Vert ramps. Stair sets. Those come much later. Rushing to advanced tricks without foundational easy skateboarding tricks is how injuries happen.

Massive Time-Saver: Practice Surfaces

Where you practice matters way more than people admit. Here's the breakdown:

Surface Type Best For Worst For My Rating
Tennis Courts Manual practice, ollies Anything requiring slide 9/10 (if allowed!)
Basketball Courts All beginner tricks Wet conditions 8/10
Smooth Asphalt Riding, tic-tacs Precise trick practice 7/10
Concrete Skateparks All skating Overcrowding 10/10 off-peak
Driveways Quick sessions Anything needing space 6/10

My secret weapon? Empty parking garages on weekends. Smooth concrete, sheltered from weather, and typically deserted Sunday mornings. Just watch for security guards.

FAQs: Easy Skateboarding Tricks Answered

How long until I land my first ollie?

Anywhere from 2 weeks to 3 months. Depends entirely on practice consistency. Daily 20-minute sessions beat one weekly marathon. Average is about 3-4 weeks with proper practice.

Should I learn stationary or rolling?

Start stationary to understand mechanics, but transition to rolling ASAP. Tricks done while moving require different balance. Plus, stationary ollies don't help you clear obstacles.

Why does my board keep flying away?

Classic sign of leaning too far forward or backward. Your shoulders should align with bolts. Film yourself - often your posture differs from what you feel.

Are skate trainers worth it?

Those rubber things that stop wheels? Mixed feelings. Great for absolute day-one ollie practice. But wean off them fast - they create false stability. I stopped using after week two.

How do I overcome fear of falling?

Start on grass or carpet. Wear full pads (no shame). Practice falling deliberately from low heights. Fear diminishes with exposure - your first ten falls scare you most.

Parting Reality Check

Skipping easy skateboarding tricks to chase kickflips is like trying calculus before learning addition. It might feel slow, but building that fundamental control pays off massively later. I've seen countless skaters plateau because their basic board control sucks.

The magic happens when these easy skate tricks become automatic. That's when you start combining them - ollie into manual, shuvit off a curb, tic-tac line through obstacles. That effortless flow is what makes skating addictive.

My last advice? Have fun with it. Some days you'll land everything. Other days you'll feel like you've forgotten how to stand. Both are normal. Stick with the easy skateboarding tricks until they feel like extensions of your body. The rest follows naturally.

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