How to Ollie on a Skateboard (2024)

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The ollie is the building block of most any trick in skateboarding and learning how to ollie is the natural progression of skating after you know how to ride a skateboard comfortably. In this guide, we will walk you through the fundamentals of an ollie so you can expand your skillset.

Here are the four main factors to keep in mind when learning how to ollie on a skateboard:

Foot Placement
Clean Snap

1. Foot Placement

Set your feet perpendicular to the board with the ball of your back foot on the tail and your front foot between the bolts, slightly closer to the front bolts. Keep your front foot toes near the edge of your board so your front heel isn’t hanging too far off the board. Keep your shoulders parallel with your board to stay centered and land straight.Turning your shoulders can cause the rest of your body and board to turn which makes landing difficult.

2. Clean Snap

First, bend your knees and crouch down as if you are preparing to jump because after all, that's exactly what an ollie is. To start the ollie motion, push down on your back foot to make the tail hit the ground. Be sure to pop off the ball of your foot and push straight down on the tail. Popping the tail when you are flat-footed will make the ollie much harder to do and popping the tail at an angle will make the board rotate.

3. Jump & Slide

After your tail hits the groundyousimultaneously suck up your back leg while sliding your front foot forward on the board. This will even out the board by pushing the nose forward and down to level out the back end. As you slide your front foot up toward the nose, turn your ankle so the side of the shoe is making contact with the grip tape as it slides.

4. Level Out & Land

After you have sucked your knees up and the board has leveled out, it’s time to let gravity do the work and bring you back to the ground. Land with your knees bent and body centered over the board.

Breaking down each part and practicing it slowly can help you better visualize the synchronized movements that go into an ollie. Another way to build up your confidence is to practice stationary ollies in the grass or on carpet so you don’t slip out. Once you get your ollies down you can start doing them at higher speeds and challenge yourself by ollieing over obstacles. Mastering the ollie opens the door to flip tricks and grinds since you will know how to pop your board properly.

If you have any questions on how to get started skateboarding or how to improve your ollie, let us know and we will do our best to help you out.

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FAQs

How to Ollie on a Skateboard? ›

The ollie is a skateboarding trick where the rider and board leap into the air without the use of the rider's hands.

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What is the ollie trick? ›

The ollie is a skateboarding trick where the rider and board leap into the air without the use of the rider's hands.

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Is ollie the hardest trick to learn? ›

There are so many other thing that go into doing this trick. This is where you learn pop, foot placement, foot movement, landing, timing, fear, falling, etc. This is the hardest trick to learn and if you end up being able to really ollie clean you will have accomplished something that most people neven will.

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Why can't i ollie straight? ›

Try to avoid a supine position and keep your back rather straight. If you tend to pull your front foot crooked or if you're not landing straight, try to concentrate on keeping your shoulders straight. Usually, if your shoulders are aligned correctly your Ollie will come out straight as well.

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Do I jump when I ollie? ›

Dont forget the ollie is basically a jump. Just pop hard and jump and don't forget to slide as hard as you can.

Why does my ollie flip? ›

Not only can you not accelerate the board's center of gravity to come up, but your back foot will lose contact with your board as it angles too much. Furthermore, trying to pull up your front foot too high could push your hip to the side and turn your Ollie. So, suspect this symptom if your Ollie rockets and turns.

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Which is harder kickflip or ollie? ›

The one you'll see in street skating, the ollie kickflip, is a very different beast. Neither one is really harder or easier than the other, but this is a lot more alien to most skaters today due to its unusual riding position and flipping technique.

How to ollie for beginners? ›

Stand in the proper position by setting your front foot in the middle of your skateboard and your back foot on the tail. Lift your board in the air by bending your knees, jumping in the air, and pressing on the back tail of your board. Shift your front foot to the top end of the board immediately after you jump.

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Do you ollie with the nose or tail? ›

Trick Tip Step By Step: Ollie

To get yourself and the board off the ground, press the back foot quickly down on the tail towards the ground making a pop like motion. 3. As soon as the tail hits the ground, jump upward and slide your front foot from the middle of the board towards the nose simultaneously.

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How long does it take to learn how to ollie? ›

Learning the ollie can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks or even months. It all depends on your dedication and practice. Don't get discouraged if you don't get it right away - keep practicing and you'll get there!

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