Have you ever fallen off a skateboard for the first time? Suddenly, the skateboard flew like the wind at the neighbor’s house.
There is no doubt that this will happen if you have no idea how to stand on a skateboard, which is also called a blade.
Skating is one of the most popular activities and sports that kids, teens, and young people enjoy doing because it is a fun activity to perform.
For beginners, here’s the most important thing to know before you can successfully skate on the street, in the park, or on the road.
That is how to properly stand on a skateboard!
How can a perfect skateboard stance benefit you?
The game of skateboarding is all about the player being able balance both his or her feet on a reasonably slim flat surface that is not going to let them fall off even on uneven surfaces.
Hence, skateboarding is primarily focused on acquiring the perfect stance, as doing so makes the sport better with each experience.
In order to maintain the perfect balance on the skateboard, the feet should be positioned perfectly on the board and in the right position.
This step-by-step guide will show you how to start practicing standing on a skateboard so that you can become a perfectionist in no time.
Step-by-Step How To Stand On A Skateboard
The first thing you need to do is decide which stance suits you best. After that, you may practice our step by step guide on how to stand on a skateboard.
1. Getting the Right Stance
Make a decision about whether regular riding or goofy riding would be more comfortable for you
There are two basic skateboarding stances: goofy and regular.
In the goofy position, you should place your right foot forward, whereas in the regular stance, you should place your left foot forward.
To find out which one is more comfortable for you, consider whether you’re right-handed or left-handed. Even though most skaters cruise with a regular stance, but you may choose your own.
- You can try both stances and see which works best for you.
- When you are not sure which stance to choose, imagine you are cruising on a skateboard. As you visualized this idea, which foot did you place forward first?
Video Explaining The Differences Between Riding Regular vs Goofy
Your feet should be shoulder-width apart
To begin, you will need a flat surface. At this point, you don’t need to worry about skating. A natural movement should be achieved with both feet positioned in the direction of your shoulders.
In this position, your body weight should be evenly distributed. As you stand on the board, it will help you gain sufficient balance and control.
Be sure to adjust your pressure backwards and forwards in between your legs while keeping your head upright while positioning your body correctly. In this way, you’ll be able to maintain a stable position.
Sink your weight and bend your knees
In this step, you will need to lower your butt a bit and slant both knees forward a little bit. In this way, your body weight will be centered within your hips instead of the upper part of your body. As long as your body is your center of gravity, you’re less likely to get off balance.
- Free yourself. In the case of rigid bodies, correcting your posture can be quite challenging.
- Make sure you don’t sink or crouch too deeply. It is all about creating enough base while you’re moving by maintaining a lower position.
Look in the direction you’re going
You should turn your head in the direction of the skateboard. If you prefer the regular stance, then you simply need to face in the direction of the movement that you are taking.
It is normal to face downwards whenever you are trying to strike a balance. However, one thing you should always keep in mind is that your body will only move in the direction your head is facing.
2. Keeping yourself balanced
Be careful when you step onto the board
Make sure you place one leg firmly on the board. After that, lift the other leg and place it closer to the first foot. Please make sure your feet are about the same width as your shoulders.
Well done, you have successfully mounted the board. You’ve now made it through the hardest part of skating sticks and stunts.
Another thing to take note is, If you are in movement, keep your speed at the optimum; this means that you don’t move too slowly or too quickly while you are in motion.
If you’re just starting, you might fall once or twice. Don’t give up, keep trying!
Remember this, there is no such thing as an easy way to success. When you take a spill successfully, you will notice that your fears gradually fade away.
Place your feet over the trucks
For beginners, standing at the center of both trucks can be the golden rule. A truck is a metal shaft attached to a deck that is positioned underneath a board. It is fitted with wheels.
- Each foot should be placed on the bolt reflected over the skateboard.
- As far as your feet are concerned, the distance between them should be approximately the width of your shoulders.
You should keep your weight on the balls of your feet
If you are uncomfortable, simply lean forward a little bit and place a foot behind your toes until you become confident.
The most important thing you need to know when skating is to get your feet used to all kinds of repositioning and shifting; this will help you maintain enough balance whenever you maneuver an obstacle.
By maintaining yourself directly above the ball, you will be able to make a slide, a lift, or a pivot, as well as allow your body to absorb shock in the lower part of the leg.
- If you are standing on a flat foot, this formula is most likely going to make you feel very uncomfortable because agility is left out of it.
- The other way you can compromise your balance is to allow your heels to slip off the skateboard or to raise on tiptoe while you are skating. It is very important that you maintain direct contact with the whole foot at the top of the skateboard, but most importantly, where you are placing your body weight is very important also.
Make small adjustments
Your body movement on the board can be regulated by slitting your ankles, hips, knees, and feet.
In order to maintain a balance, tilt, lean, and pump your legs in the right direction.
In most cases, waving your hands can also ensure stability. Also, in order for your movement to be as smooth as possible, you should make all the necessary adjustments.
As you practice overtime, you will become better at what you do.
- Make sure not to sway too much forward or backward. This could result in a fall or even tipping you overboard.
- Maintaining balance on a skateboard is similar to maintaining balance on a rocking boat; therefore, light feet balance is crucial.
3. Getting A Feel For The Board
A soft surface is the best place to start
Place your board on grass or use a thick carpet, make sure the wheels do not roll, and then you can learn all the steps, tricks, and techniques needed to stand on the board.
But why on a soft surface? Well, When using a smooth surface, you are very likely to have the board roll out. So, In order to make any progress on asphalt, you need to achieve a bit of stability while maintaining a stationary balance.
Put your weight over the wheels with caution
One foot should be stepped up one after another in a controlled, quick, and smooth manner. Be careful not to rock the board in both directions at the same time. If you do this, you can lose your center of gravity and the board will fly off.
- Avoid leaning in a direction when you’re stepping up.
The grip tape can be used for traction
- Get the basic off your skate, which is over the layer of tape used on the board. A skateboard uses grip tape for its adhesive; it has a similar surface to sandpaper, which helps increase friction between the deck and the foot.
- The traction keeps you in control while moving. Consequently, you are able to move at a faster pace without losing your foot.
- Alternatively, if your skate does not have a grip tape, you can improvise by wearing grippy shoes.
Keep your foot distance from the board’s tail and nose
Most skateboards have a slanting edge called the “Nose” or the “Tail.” You will need to stay away from this for now.
For beginners, placing additional weight on the nose of the board or the tail of the board will only cause the board to lift in the air.
Therefore, you are more likely to experience serious accidents, especially if you’re not quite experienced yet.
- The best way to prevent drifting is to place both feet over the bolt that reflects overboard.
- The tail and nose are used by professional performers for stunts and other mind-blowing tricks.
Conclusion
Standing on a skateboard is not as difficult as it may seem. By following the simple tips mentioned in this article, anyone can learn how to do it.
So what are you waiting for? Get out there and start skating!
