If you’re new to skateboarding, you’re probably excited about the world of opportunities it opens up. Seeing professional skaters pull gnarly tricks and aerial moves probably gets you riled up to get out there and start skateboarding. However, as a beginner there are a few fundamentals you need to cover and crush before you start transitioning into the crazier stuff.
What’s one fundamental every beginner skater must master before anything else? Yes, you read that right. As simple as it sounds (and it does end up being relatively simple), it’s important to get acquainted with proper skateboarding stance before you start riding. Once you perfect the art of standing on a skateboard, you’ll have a solid foundation to build upon.
So, how do you stand on a skateboard? Keep reading below to find out.
How to Stand on a Skateboard: Before You Start
- You need a quality skateboard. Don’t start out with a cheap toy skateboard. We don’t recommend spending too much on your first skateboard either, but you do need something durable. Complete boards make great pre-assembled options for beginners.
- You need skate shoes. Although you won’t be riding just yet, wearing the right skate shoes is an important part of being able to feel the board. You don’t need to splurge for the latest pair of skate shoes, but make sure to wear something with a flat sole that can absorb impact.
- Inspect your board. Check to make sure your board is in good shape before you trust it to support your bodyweight. Be on the lookout for any anomalies such as loose bolts, sharp edges, or worn-out bearings. Add the grip tape if it isn’t applied already.
Decide (or Discover) Your Stance
In skateboarding, there are two basic stances while standing on your skateboard: regular and goofy. In the regular stance, you place your left food forward while the right foot does the pushing off. In the goofy-footed stance, the right foot is placed forward. Neither stance is better than the other, and it really comes down to which one is more comfortable for you!
A good place to start is considering whether you’re left or right-handed. Most people find that their dominant hand is often the same side as their “dominant foot,” but this isn’t always the case. Play around with both stances and see how they feel.
Practice Proper Stance Before Standing on Your Skateboard
You might feel a little silly, but it’s all part of the learning process.
On a flat surface, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Position both feet in the direction of the shoulder on the side of your lead foot (your left shoulder for regular stance, right shoulder for goofy stance). Make sure that your body weight is evenly distributed and that you’re not leaning in one direction or another.
Practice slightly adjusting the pressure back and forth between your front and back legs while keeping your head upright. Relax your knees into a slight bend. This will lower your center of gravity so you’re less likely to get off balance. Try to remain “loose” as in, try not to tense up too much.
Angle your head in the direction you’ll be skating.
Step onto the Board
Place both of your feet directly over the trucks. The position of the trucks can be identified by the bolts in the deck. Position your front foot in a 45-degree angle, making sure not to twist your knee.
Remember to keep your feet roughly shoulder-width apart and keep your weight on the balls of your feet. Distributing your bodyweight this way allows your body to absorb shock more easily.
Avoid stepping onto the nose or tail of the skateboard. Concentrating any weight in these areas will cause the board to lift, which can lead to falls or other accidents. As a beginner who’s still perfecting the art of proper skateboard stance, it’s best to stay away from these areas for now.
Make Your Adjustments
Without pushing off and moving, try making small movements while maintaining your balance and standing on your skateboard. Take what you practiced off the skateboard and start doing the same on the board. Start out with small tilts and leans.
Try to maintain contact between your entire foot and the board. Lifting your heels or shifting onto your tiptoes can compromise balance. Despite this, it’s important to keep your weight shifted towards the front of your foot.
While it might seem a little overemphasized, mastering how to stand on a skateboard early on equips you with a solid base to start crushing the rest of your technical abilities, like turning and stopping! Taking a little extra time to perfect the process can making learning to push, ride, and practicing proper safety that much easier.
Where are you at in your skateboarding journey? Let us know!