You start skateboarding ?
We already gave you in our guide"Starting skateboarding" some tips to start the sport: start by riding a lot, everywhere and all the time!
Skateboarding is above all an urban sliding activity, so go sliding!
In this guide, we give you tips to progress even faster. A summary of tips gathered from our skateboarders and the local community. Let's go !
1. Drive, drive and then drive
And yes, we've talked about this before, but it's the basis of everything. Ride as much as possible to gain experience and to feel as comfortable on your skateboard as you do on your feet, that's the goal. Don't dream, if our favorite pro skateboarders are so reckless on their boards, it's because they feel comfortable enough to try impossible tricks.
What are you still doing here! Go, go, go !
2. Make a training plan for yourself
Let's be clear, we don't all have the same goals. There are those who just want to learn to ride to get around, and those who want to become the next Vincent Milou. No problem.
On the other hand, whatever the objective, and whatever the discipline, organizing a training plan always helps to progress.
But what is a training plan?
The first thing to do is to determine what your immediate goals are. And when you're first starting out, it can be a few things.
Rodney's example...
Let's imagine for example that Rodney wants to progress quickly in skateboarding. He has two main goals: to be comfortable on his board and to learn the ollie. In this case, Rodney's training plan will focus on these two points, and his sessions will be mainly oriented towards that. Mostly because there will always be a part of the plan dedicated to fun: you should never forget to have fun.
If Rodney has 1 hour a day to skate, we could say that he will spend 30 minutes just riding, 15 minutes to improve his ollie and 15 minutes to do what he wants.
... to be adapted according to the level and the desires
Then, it is necessary to modulate its training program according to its level, and especially of its desires. If you only want to do park, maybe devote a part of your time to dropping the ramp, another to taking the Rail and always keep a little training at Ollie until you master the gesture at 100%
To know: The objective of the plan is to concentrate on a few points so as not to spread yourself too thin and, above all, to repeat the same things every day, so as to better assimilate them. It's better to train for 15 minutes a day every day, than for 4 hours at a time, then nothing for a week. Skate as often as possible.
3. Master the Ollie
Does it seem obvious? Yet, we all got lost trying to learn everything at the same time. It's the best way to get nowhere.
If you try to master the Ollie, at the same time as you learn the Kickflip and practice the Boardslide, it will take a long time to master all the tricks.
To begin with, concentrate on the Ollie, it is the basis of everything.
To do this, start by watching videos and asking for advice and set a training routine. It's important to break up this routine with other things so you don't get discouraged.
Practice jumping, first on the spot, then rolling, then jumping on something (over an object, or on a pod). Add difficulty as you master each step.
For the first few training sessions, you can "cheat" and use skateboard wheel blocks. You can also start jumping by stacking a few cardboard boxes (flattened) on the ground, so that you don't slip when you fall, and to absorb the shock if you fall. This is also valid for tricks like Shuv-it for example.
Tip: It is often easier to learn to jump while riding than while standing still. It's easier to keep your balance while riding. Start by mastering the perfect gesture while stopped, and then practice doing Ollies while driving slowly, it will be even easier!
4. Analyze your movements
Once you know how to ride well, and that you can move easily in the skatepark, you will want to move on to the serious stuff.
It's time to learn the technical tricks: Kickflips, Varials, etc.
Now that we all have cell phones capable of making great videos: film yourself! Or have a friend film you.
This is a technique adopted by many top athletes who systematically watch their training sessions on video to identify and correct bad moves. With a sport as technical as skateboarding, foot and body placement is so important that good habits can save you a lot of time!
To adopt these good habits, start by chasing bad ones by identifying them on images.
5. Skate in good conditions
Another obvious advice? And yet, how many young skateboarders we have already seen struggling with a board not adapted, on an unsuitable spot.
Start by putting yourself in good conditions, it is essential to progress quickly. If there is no exhaustive list of good conditions to meet, we can still quote some that we think are mandatory:
- Choose an adapted skateboard ! The right size, the right wheels... Ask your skateshop for advice.
- Choose an adapted spot ! Not too technical. Not on the damaged road in front of the house. Do not increase the risk of discouragement!
- Surround yourself well. Not only is it much more fun to share skateboarding with friends, but the experience is shared and allows you to progress more quickly.
- Vary the pleasures. By changing your routine so you don't stick to the same bar for months. Simply by going for a ride to have a drink in town.
- Ride protected. An injury hurts and is very inconvenient for the rest of your daily activities. Plus, it takes weeks off your training. Use protective gear.