Longboarding is a great way to get around, and with the right skill set, you can perform all sorts of tricks on your longboard. This guide will discuss different types of tricks that you can do, from basic cruising maneuvers to more advanced stunts. We recommend beginning with the basics and progressing from there if you’re starting. With a little bit of practice, you’ll be performing kickflips and 360s like a pro!
Types of Longboard Tricks
There are two main types of longboard tricks: cruising and skating. Cruising tricks are those that can be acted while riding around on your board, and skating tricks are those that require you to get off your board and perform them on the ground. Both schemes have their own set of skills and techniques that you will need to learn to execute properly.
Cruising Tricks
There are several basic cruising tricks that every longboarder should know. These include the kick turn, the 180-degree turn, and the pivot turn. We’ll go over each of these tricks in more detail below.
The Kickturn: The kickturn is a basic maneuver that allows you to change directions quickly without having to stop or get off your board. To do a kickturn, place your front foot on the nose of the board and use your back foot to push off the ground. As you push off, twist your body so that you’re facing in the direction you want to go. You should then be able to ride away in a new order.
The 180-Degree Turn: The 180-degree turn is a basic trick that allows you to change directions quickly without having to get off your board. To do a 180, place one foot on either the front or back of the board and use your other foot to push off the ground. As you push off, twist your body so that you’re facing in the opposite direction. You should then be able to ride away in a new order.
The Pivot Turn: The pivot turn is another way to change directions without getting off your board quickly. To perform a pivot turn:
- Place your front foot on the nose of the board and your back foot in the middle.
- Lean slightly forward so that your weight is on your front foot, and then use your back foot to push off the ground.
- As you push off, twist your body so that you’re facing in the direction you want to go. You should then be able to ride away in a new order.
Skating Tricks
Once you have mastered the basic cruising tricks, it’s time to move on to skating tricks. We will go over a few of the most popular skating tricks below. These tricks are a bit more complex and require you to get off your longboard and perform them on the ground.
The Ollie: The ollie is one of the most basic skating tricks and is essential for doing other more advanced stunts. To do an ollie:
- Start by standing with your longboard in front of you.
- Place your dominant hand on the middle of the board, and then place your non-dominant hand near the nose of the board.
- Bend your knees and squat down slightly so that you’re in a low stance.
Next, use your dominant hand to pop the board off the ground. As soon as it pops up, quickly jump up into the air and extend your legs out straight. When you come back down to earth, land on your back foot first, followed by your front foot. You should then be able to ride away in the direction you were going.
The kickflip is a skating trick that can be performed after you’ve mastered the ollie. To do a kickflip:
- Start by standing with your longboard in front of you.
- Place your dominant hand on the middle of the board and your non-dominant hand near the nose.
- Bend your knees and squat down into a low stance.
The 360-Degree Flip: The 360-degree flip is a more advanced version of the kickflip that requires greater skill and talent. To do a 360-degree flip, start by standing with your longboard in front of you. Place your dominant hand on the middle of the board and your non-dominant hand near the nose.
3 Beginner Longboard Trick Tipss
Now that you know a little bit about the basics of longboard tricks, it’s time to learn how to do some simple maneuvers. In this section, we will provide three tips for beginner longboard tricksters.
Start Small
When starting out, it’s important to take things slow and start with small tricks. This will help you build up your skillset and confidence before moving on to more complex stunts. Remember, safety is always key when trying new tricks. So make sure you are aware of your surroundings and have a safe space to practice in.
Use Your Dominant Hand For Tricks
When doing tricks, it’s important to use your dominant hand for most of the maneuvers. This will help you to stay in control and perform the tricks more effectively.
Use Your Opposite Foot For Tricks
When doing tricks, it’s also important to use your opposite foot. This will help you maintain balance and stability while performing stunts. Experiment with different combinations to see what works best for you.
3 Expert Longboard Tricks
Now that you know the basics of longboard tricks, it’s time to move on to some more complex maneuvers. These tricks are best suited for those with a bit more experience under their belt. So if you’re feeling confident, give these a try.
The Superman Trick: The Superman trick is a more advanced version of the kickflip. To do this trick, start by standing with your longboard in front of you. Place your dominant hand on the middle of the board and your nondominant hand near the nose. Bend your knees and squat down into a low stance.
Next, use your dominant hand to pop the board off the ground. As soon as it pops up, quickly jump up into the air and extend your legs out straight. When you come back down to earth, land on your back foot first followed by your front foot. You should then be able to ride away in the direction you were going.
The 360-Degree Spin: The 360-degree spin is a more advanced version of the kickflip that requires greater skill and dexterity. To do a 360-degree flip, start by standing with your longboard in front of you. Place your dominant hand on the middle of the board and your nondominant hand near the nose.
Bend your knees and squat down into a low stance. Next, use your dominant hand to pop the board off the ground. As soon as it pops up, quickly jump up into the air and spin around in a 360-degree motion. When you come back down to earth, land on your longboard and ride away in the direction you were going.
The Handstand: The handstand is a more advanced trick that requires both balance and strength. To do a handstand on a longboard, start by riding your board in the direction you want to go. When you are ready, place your dominant hand on the ground and quickly lift your longboard into the air with your nondominant hand. Next, extend both of your legs straight into the air and hold the handstand position for as long as you can. When you are ready to come down, slowly lower your longboard back to the ground and place your feet on it. Ride away in the direction you were going.
