Q&A for How to Ollie

Before practicing an Ollie, you should also watch slow motion videos of somebody performing the trick so you can study the details of how the trick is done and get a sense of what the timing will be.

One common mistake is to push down too hard on your tail, which prevents your board from going up in the air. Instead, do a light-footed flick down with your ankle to send your board to the floor instead of slamming it down.

Flick down with the ankle of your back foot, then lift later. This will send your tail to the ground just to be popped off the ground, because it won't be held down by your weight. Then, when it's ready to come up in the air, you can slide your front foot up so your board can come up.

Practice the steps in order. Put your feet in the correct placement and then do one step after another, then put them together. I always go by the sound of my tail hitting the ground. As soon as I hear that slap of my tail, I just jump and slide my foot.

Suede helps so that you don't burn a hole in your shoe, but to my knowledge they don't actually help your ollie

After a quick, strong pop on the tail using your foot and calf strength, it's more about lifting your feet rather than launching yourself, but yes.

Of course! Just make sure you're practicing somewhere where your board won't roll, like grass or carpet.

Your middle or core will feel wobbly or your butt might stick out past your waist.

Just get on your board, cruise around, and get comfortable again. Then just start popping tricks and your instincts should eventually come back to you, depending on how much you used to skate.

Check the level of grip on your board. If it's really high, then buy a new grip tap. Although if you slide your foot flat on the board rather than bending it forward, you're sliding it wrong.

The easiest way is to visualize yourself landing the Ollie properly and to practice in an area where you are not afraid of falling.

Continue. There are plenty of professional skaters who had trouble mastering the ollie. Don't ever let anyone make you feel bad or tell you that you can't do something. Don't get frustrated and keep trying. You'll get there.

No, but on a penny board it's harder since it's smaller than a regular skateboard and the angle of the pop is higher.

That is the only way to do a standard Ollie. Just keep at it, you'll get it eventually.

This is called chickenfoot. You just have to get comfortable with your board and you'll stop.

Practice the pop and slide your foot 90 degrees.

It may be difficult to land because you need to work on your balancing skills. It just takes practice. You may also want to tighten your trucks.

A "pop" is when you snap the tail (back end) or nose (front end) of your skateboard against the ground. It's called a pop because that's the sound it makes.

Your board won't jump by itself. You need to pop it. If you can launch the board by slamming the tail down, then you can ollie.

You don't have to be scared. Just trust yourself, and don't be scared to try and fail. You might hurt yourself, but every skater has to try and see what he/she can't do. Push yourself to the limits, and don't be afraid of failing in the beginning. Start with small and simple things, and you will improve.

It's possible, but only if you are an advanced skater and can ollie like a pro because it is hard.

You need to pop your tail first, but I think it's better to practice the moves one at a time, just to get the motion down right!

No.

Stop lifting your front door, just close it and focus on the ollie. If you're in focus your board won't slide up.

It is the same concept; however, it will be more difficult on a cruiser, depending on how broad the tail is.

Look at the animation at step 6 - when you jump, your front foot has to slide on the grip tape from the middle of the board towards the nose while your back foot stays near the rear trucks.

It might be that you are not dragging your foot up the nose of the board.

The higher your jump is, the higher your ollie will be. Just remember to have your front foot further back so you can slide more.

Since your feet are in the air (hopefully), when you slide, the back will come up to your back foot. Watching videos about ollies might help explain better.

Yes, try holding on to a fence or something sturdy while first attempting an Ollie.