How to Ollie on a Skateboard: Easy Beginner Tutorial with Joey Z

Want to learn how to ollie on a skateboard? You’re in the right place! The ollie is one of the most important skateboard tricks to learn. It also opens the door to hundreds of other tricks.

Whether you’re a beginner or returning to skateboarding after years away, learning the ollie is an exciting challenge.

At Shred District, we’re making skateboarding easier to learn with Joey Z! In this illustrated skateboarding comic, Joey breaks down the basics of performing an ollie. First, you’ll learn how to position your feet, find your balance, and prepare your skateboard.

Ready to get started? Grab your board and follow along!

What Is an Ollie in Skateboarding?

An ollie is a skateboard trick that allows you to jump into the air with your skateboard. The best part? You don’t need to grab the board with your hands!

Instead, you use your feet to pop the tail and guide the skateboard upward. Then, you slide your front foot forward to help level the board in the air.

The ollie is an essential skateboarding skill because it helps you learn more advanced tricks.

For example, mastering the ollie makes it easier to progress toward:

• Kickflips
• Heelflips
• Pop shuvits
• Ollies over obstacles
• Skatepark transitions and other tricks

That’s why learning how to ollie is such an important first step for beginner skateboarders.

Step 1: Learn the Correct Skateboard Foot Placement

Before attempting an ollie, you need to find the right foot position. Proper skateboard foot placement helps you maintain balance and control.

There are two important positions to understand.

Back Foot: Place It on the Skateboard Tail

First, position your back foot on the tail of your skateboard.

Place the ball of your foot near the end of the tail. This position allows you to press down quickly when it’s time to pop your skateboard.

Your back foot creates the snapping motion that starts an ollie.

Front Foot: Position It Near the Middle

Next, position your front foot near the middle of the skateboard.

Place it slightly behind the front truck bolts. Angle your foot slightly so you can comfortably slide it toward the nose.

Your front foot helps guide the skateboard upward and level it out during the trick.

Joey Z’s Tip: Don’t worry if your foot placement feels strange at first. Experiment with small adjustments until you find a comfortable position.

Regular vs. Goofy: Which Skateboard Stance Should You Use?

Every skateboarder has a natural riding stance. Most people ride either regular or goofy.

Here’s how to identify yours:

• Regular stance: Your left foot faces the front of the skateboard.
• Goofy stance: Your right foot faces the front of the skateboard.

Neither stance is better. Choose the one that feels most natural.

Once you’ve found your stance, practice standing comfortably on your skateboard. This will help you prepare for your first ollie.

Step 2: Practice Your Balance Before Learning to Ollie

Balance is an important part of skateboarding. Therefore, spend some time getting comfortable on your board before attempting tricks.

Start on a smooth, flat surface. Stand with your feet in the correct positions and bend your knees slightly.

Next, practice shifting your weight without losing control. Keep your shoulders aligned with your skateboard.

Remember, your upper body plays an important role in controlling your board. If your shoulders turn, your skateboard may turn with them.

For beginners, practicing balance first can make learning the ollie much easier.

Step 3: Understand How to Pop a Skateboard

Once your stance feels comfortable, it’s time to learn about the pop.

The pop is the snapping motion that happens when you press the skateboard tail against the ground with your back foot.

This movement helps launch the skateboard into the air.

However, popping alone isn’t enough. You also need to jump upward as the tail hits the ground.

The timing between your jump and the pop is important. Practice the movement slowly until you understand how your skateboard responds.

Step 4: Learn the Front Foot Slide

After popping the tail, your front foot helps guide the skateboard upward.

Slide your front foot toward the nose of the board. Use the side of your shoe against the grip tape to create this movement.

At the same time, lift your back foot to give the tail room to rise.

The combination of popping, jumping, and sliding helps the skateboard rise beneath your feet.

Don’t expect perfect results immediately. Learning the timing takes repetition and patience.

Step 5: Level the Skateboard and Prepare to Land

Now it’s time to bring everything together!

As you rise into the air, lift your knees and keep your body centered above the skateboard.

Your front foot helps level the board while your back foot lifts to allow the tail to come up.

Once the skateboard is level, prepare to land with both feet over the trucks.

Bend your knees as you land. This helps absorb the impact and maintain your balance.

Your first ollie might only lift a few inches off the ground. That’s still progress!

Focus on a controlled landing before worrying about getting more height.

5 Common Beginner Ollie Mistakes to Avoid

Learning how to ollie takes practice. Fortunately, understanding common mistakes can help you improve faster.

Here are five things to watch for.

1. Placing Your Feet Incorrectly

Poor foot placement can make it difficult to control your skateboard. Start with your back foot on the tail and your front foot near the middle.

2. Forgetting to Jump

An ollie requires more than pushing down on the tail. You must jump upward while coordinating the pop.

3. Not Sliding Your Front Foot

Your front foot helps guide and level the skateboard. Practice sliding it toward the nose during the jumping motion.

4. Turning Your Shoulders

Twisting your shoulders can cause your skateboard to turn sideways. Keep your upper body aligned with the board.

5. Giving Up Too Early

Your first ollie probably won’t be perfect. That’s completely normal!

Keep practicing, make small adjustments, and celebrate your progress.

Joey Z’s Beginner Skateboard Ollie Checklist

Before moving on to the next lesson, review these important fundamentals.

• Back foot positioned on the skateboard tail.
• Front foot positioned near the middle.
• Comfortable regular or goofy stance.
• Knees slightly bent.
• Shoulders aligned with the skateboard.
• Understanding of the pop and front foot slide.
• Comfortable practicing on a flat surface.

These basics will help prepare you for the next stages of learning how to ollie.

Skateboarding Tips: Practice Makes Progress!

Every skateboarder starts somewhere. Even professional skateboarders had to learn the basics before mastering difficult tricks.

The secret is consistency.

Practice your foot placement, work on your balance, and gradually develop your timing. Over time, these movements will begin to feel more natural.

Most importantly, don’t compare your progress to someone else’s. Everyone learns at a different pace.

Always wear appropriate protective gear, including a helmet. Beginners should also consider wrist guards, elbow pads, and knee pads. Practice in a safe area away from traffic and obstacles.

What’s Next? Joey Z Teaches Step 2: The Pop!

Congratulations! You’ve learned the first step toward performing an ollie.

You now understand the importance of skateboard stance, proper foot placement, and balance.

But we’re just getting started!

In the next Joey Z skateboarding comic, we’ll explore Step 2: The Pop!

Joey will explain how to snap the skateboard tail against the ground and begin lifting your board into the air.

Keep an eye out for the next installment as we continue breaking down the ollie one step at a time.

Discover More Skateboarding Guides at Shred District

Looking for more skateboard tutorials, equipment advice, and beginner skateboarding tips?

Visit Shred District and explore our growing collection of skateboarding content.

Check out the Shred District Skateboarding Guides for helpful tutorials covering skateboard tricks, equipment, maintenance, and riding techniques.

Whether you’re learning your first ollie or upgrading your skateboard setup, we’ve got more skateboarding adventures waiting for you.

You can also explore our skateboard gear recommendations to discover decks, wheels, trucks, shoes, and accessories.

Meet Joey Z: Your Skateboarding Comic Guide

Joey Z is the skateboarding-loving comic character from Shred District.

Through colorful illustrations, entertaining stories, and easy-to-follow instructions, Joey makes learning skateboarding more fun.

From beginner skateboard tricks to more advanced techniques, Joey is here to help you build confidence and improve your skills.

Follow the Joey Z comic series for more skateboarding lessons and adventures!

Find Your Line. Own Your Ride.

Welcome to Shred District!