10 Best Skateboard Tricks for Beginners

Written by Rex Anthony

Skateboarding is an exciting and challenging sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels. Whether you're just starting out or you're an experienced skateboarder looking to improve your skills, learning new tricks is a fun and rewarding way to push your limits and have fun on your board.

In this post, we'll be sharing the 10 best skateboard tricks for beginners. These tricks are perfect for those who are new to skateboarding and are looking to build a solid foundation of skills. From basic ollies and pop shuvits to more advanced tricks like kickflips and heelflips, we've got you covered.

So if you're ready to start learning some new skateboard tricks and want to take your skills to the next level, read on!

Overview of the top 10 beginner skateboard tricks

Here are 10 of the best skateboard tricks for beginners:

Ollie: The ollie is a staple trick for any skateboarder, beginner or pro. It involves popping the tail of the skateboard off the ground and allowing the rider to jump into the air.
Kickflip: The kickflip is a popular trick that involves flipping the skateboard over while jumping into the air. It's a great trick to learn as a beginner because it helps improve your balance and coordination.
Shove it: The shove it is a simple trick that involves spinning the skateboard 180 degrees under your feet while rolling. It's a great trick to practice to help improve your balance and coordination.
Pop shove it: The pop shove it is a variation of the shove it, but involves popping the skateboard off the ground before spinning it. It's a great trick to practice to help improve your balance and coordination.
Grind: A grind is when you ride along an edge or rail and slide your trucks against it. There are many different variations of grinds, such as 50 50, 5 0, and nose grind.
Lip trick: A lip trick is when you ride up and perform a trick on a skateboard ramp or rail. There are many different lip tricks, such as a frontside grind, backside grind, and nollie grind.
Fakie: Fakie is when you ride your skateboard backwards. It's a great trick to practice to help improve your balance and coordination.
Heelflip: The heelflip is a trick that involves flipping the skateboard over while jumping into the air. It's a great trick to learn as a beginner because it helps improve your balance and coordination.
360 flip: The 360 flip is a trick that involves flipping the skateboard 360 degrees while jumping into the air. It's a challenging trick to learn, but it's a great one to work towards as a beginner.
Handplant: A handplant is a trick where you ride up to a wall or rail, grab the skateboard with one hand, and place it on the edge or rail while jumping into the air. It's a challenging trick to learn, but it's a great one to work towards as a beginner.

Ollie

An ollie is a fundamental skateboard trick that is used as the basis for many other tricks. It involves popping the tail of the skateboard off the ground and allowing the skateboard to lift into the air, while the rider stays balanced on top of the board. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to perform an ollie:

Start by setting up your skateboard on a flat surface with the wheels facing forward. Place your back foot on the tail of the skateboard and your front foot in the middle of the deck, just behind the front trucks.
Bend your knees slightly and shift your weight onto your back foot.
Quickly push down on the tail of the skateboard with your back foot and simultaneously jump off the ground with your front foot.
As you jump, use your front foot to lift the nose of the skateboard up into the air, while keeping your back foot on the tail.
Once the skateboard is in the air, try to balance on top of the board and ride it out until it touches back down on the ground.
Land softly on the ground and roll away smoothly.

It may take some practice to get the timing and technique right, but with patience and persistence, you'll be ollying like a pro in no time!

Kickflip

A kickflip is a skateboard trick that involves flipping the skateboard with your feet while it is in the air. It can be a challenging trick to learn, but with practice and patience, you'll be kickflipping like a pro in no time. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to perform a kickflip:

Start by setting up your skateboard on a flat surface with the wheels facing forward. Place your back foot on the tail of the skateboard and your front foot in the middle of the deck, just behind the front trucks.
Bend your knees slightly and shift your weight onto your back foot.
Quickly push down on the tail of the skateboard with your back foot and simultaneously jump off the ground with your front foot.
As you jump, use your front foot to lift the nose of the skateboard up into the air.
While the skateboard is in the air, use your back foot to kick the heel of the skateboard towards your front foot. This will cause the skateboard to flip over and rotate around the axis of the trucks.
As the skateboard begins to flip, use your front foot to guide the skateboard back down to the ground.
Land softly on the ground and roll away smoothly.

Remember to keep your feet close to the skateboard as it flips, and try to land softly on the ground to avoid any accidental falls. It may take some practice to get the timing and technique right, but with patience and persistence, you'll be kickflipping like a pro in no time!

Shove it

A shove-it is a skateboard trick that involves using your back foot to flip the skateboard around while it is in the air. It's a great trick to have in your toolkit and can be used as the basis for many other tricks. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to perform a shove-it:

Start by setting up your skateboard on a flat surface with the wheels facing forward. Place your back foot on the tail of the skateboard and your front foot in the middle of the deck, just behind the front trucks.
Bend your knees slightly and shift your weight onto your back foot.
Quickly push down on the tail of the skateboard with your back foot and simultaneously jump off the ground with your front foot.
As you jump, use your front foot to lift the nose of the skateboard up into the air.
While the skateboard is in the air, use your back foot to shove the tail of the skateboard towards your front foot. This will cause the skateboard to rotate around the axis of the trucks.
As the skateboard begins to rotate, use your front foot to guide the skateboard back down to the ground.
Land softly on the ground and roll away smoothly.

Remember to keep your feet close to the skateboard as it rotates, and try to land softly on the ground to avoid any accidental falls. It may take some practice to get the timing and technique right, but with patience and persistence, you'll be shoving-it like a pro in no time!

Pop shove it

A pop shove-it is a skateboard trick that involves using your back foot to flip the skateboard around while it is in the air and popping the tail of the skateboard off the ground to get more height and speed. It's a more advanced version of the basic shove-it trick and can be used as the basis for many other tricks. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to perform a pop shove-it:

Start by setting up your skateboard on a flat surface with the wheels facing forward. Place your back foot on the tail of the skateboard and your front foot in the middle of the deck, just behind the front trucks.
Bend your knees slightly and shift your weight onto your back foot.
Quickly push down on the tail of the skateboard with your back foot and simultaneously jump off the ground with your front foot.
As you jump, use your front foot to lift the nose of the skateboard up into the air.
While the skateboard is in the air, use your back foot to shove the tail of the skateboard towards your front foot and simultaneously pop the tail off the ground. This will cause the skateboard to rotate around the axis of the trucks.
As the skateboard begins to rotate, use your front foot to guide the skateboard back down to the ground.
Land softly on the ground and roll away smoothly.

Grind

Grinding a skateboard is a skateboarding trick where the skateboarder slides along a rail or edge, using the trucks of the skateboard to create sparks. To grind a skateboard, you will need to find a suitable rail or edge, such as a handrail, bench, or ledge. You will also need to make sure that your skateboard is in good condition, with properly tightened trucks and good grip tape.

Here are the steps for how to grind a skateboard:

Approach the rail or edge at a moderate speed. You don't want to be going too fast or too slow.
Ollie onto the rail or edge. To do this, you will need to pop the tail of your skateboard down onto the ground while simultaneously jumping into the air.
Shift your weight onto your back foot as you land on the rail or edge. This will help you balance and maintain control of your skateboard.
Lean back slightly and use your back foot to steer the skateboard along the rail or edge.
Keep your front foot on the deck of the skateboard and use it to balance. You may also need to use your front foot to adjust the angle of your skateboard as you grind.
When you are ready to dismount the rail or edge, simply push off with your back foot and land back on the ground.

It's important to practice this trick in a safe and controlled environment, such as a skatepark, and to wear proper protective gear, such as a helmet, elbow pads, and knee pads. Grinding can be a fun and challenging trick to learn, but it can also be risky if you are not careful.

Lip trick

A lip trick on a skateboard is a type of trick where the skateboarder rides up and over the edge of an obstacle, such as a quarter pipe or half pipe, and performs a maneuver while in the air. Lip tricks are often performed on ramps or other skatepark features and can be a challenging and rewarding element of skateboarding.

To perform a lip trick on a skateboard, you will need to find a suitable obstacle, such as a quarter pipe or half pipe, and make sure that your skateboard is in good condition. You should also wear proper protective gear, such as a helmet, elbow pads, and knee pads.

Here are the steps for how to do a lip trick on a skateboard:

Approach the obstacle at a moderate speed. You don't want to be going too fast or too slow.
Ollie onto the lip of the obstacle. To do this, you will need to pop the tail of your skateboard down onto the ground while simultaneously jumping into the air.
Shift your weight onto your back foot as you land on the lip of the obstacle. This will help you balance and maintain control of your skateboard.
Use your front foot to steer the skateboard up and over the edge of the obstacle. You may also need to use your front foot to adjust the angle of your skateboard as you ride up the lip.
Once you are in the air, you can perform a variety of tricks, such as a kickflip, heelflip, or shuvit.
When you are ready to dismount the obstacle, simply push off with your back foot and land back on the ground.

It's important to practice this trick in a safe and controlled environment, such as a skatepark, and to be mindful of your surroundings. Lip tricks can be a fun and challenging element of skateboarding, but they can also be risky if you are not careful.

Fakie

A fakie on a skateboard is a skateboarding trick where the skateboarder rides backwards, with their front foot facing the opposite direction of their intended travel. To do a fakie on a skateboard, you will need to be able to ride comfortably in both directions, as well as have good balance and control.

Here are the steps for how to do a fakie on a skateboard:

Begin by riding forward on your skateboard.
When you are ready to transition into a fakie, push off with your back foot and spin the skateboard 180 degrees so that your front foot is facing the opposite direction.
As you land, shift your weight onto your back foot and use it to steer the skateboard in the opposite direction.
Use your front foot to balance and control the skateboard as you ride backwards.
When you are ready to stop or transition back to riding forward, simply push off with your back foot and spin the skateboard 180 degrees again so that your front foot is facing the direction you want to go.

It's important to practice this trick in a safe and controlled environment, such as a skatepark, and to wear proper protective gear, such as a helmet, elbow pads, and knee pads. Fakies can be a fun and challenging element of skateboarding, but they can also be risky if you are not careful.

Heelflip

A heelflip on a skateboard is a skateboarding trick where the skateboarder flips the board over with their heel while in the air. To do a heelflip on a skateboard, you will need to have a good understanding of how to flip the board and have good balance and control.

Here are the steps for how to do a heelflip on a skateboard:

Begin by riding forward on your skateboard.
When you are ready to do the heelflip, pop the tail of the skateboard down onto the ground with your back foot while simultaneously jumping into the air.
As you are in the air, use your front foot to flip the board over by pressing down on the heel of your shoe.
As the board flips over, rotate your body in the opposite direction of the flip.
As you land, shift your weight onto your back foot and use it to steer the skateboard back onto the ground.
Use your front foot to balance and control the skateboard as you ride away.

It's important to practice this trick in a safe and controlled environment, such as a skatepark, and to wear proper protective gear, such as a helmet, elbow pads, and knee pads. Heelflips can be a challenging trick to learn, but they can also be a lot of fun once you get the hang of it.

360 flip

A 360 flip on a skateboard, also known as a tre flip, is a skateboarding trick where the skateboarder flips the board over and spins it around 360 degrees while in the air. To do a 360 flip on a skateboard, you will need to have a good understanding of how to flip the board and have good balance and control.

Here are the steps for how to do a 360 flip on a skateboard:

Begin by riding forward on your skateboard.
When you are ready to do the 360 flip, pop the tail of the skateboard down onto the ground with your back foot while simultaneously jumping into the air.
As you are in the air, use your front foot to flip the board over by pressing down on the heel of your shoe.
As the board flips over, rotate your body in the opposite direction of the flip.
As the board completes its flip, rotate your body back in the direction of the flip to help the board spin around 360 degrees.
As you land, shift your weight onto your back foot and use it to steer the skateboard back onto the ground.
Use your front foot to balance and control the skateboard as you ride away.

It's important to practice this trick in a safe and controlled environment, such as a skatepark, and to wear proper protective gear, such as a helmet, elbow pads, and knee pads. 360 flips can be a challenging trick to learn, but they can also be a lot of fun once you get the hang of it.

Handplant

A handplant on a skateboard is a skateboarding trick where the skateboarder rides up and over an obstacle, such as a quarter pipe or half pipe, and plants one or both hands on the coping or lip of the obstacle while in the air. Handplants are often performed on ramps or other skatepark features and can be a challenging and rewarding element of skateboarding.

To do a handplant on a skateboard, you will need to find a suitable obstacle, such as a quarter pipe or half pipe, and make sure that your skateboard is in good condition. You should also wear proper protective gear, such as a helmet, elbow pads, and knee pads.

Here are the steps for how to do a handplant on a skateboard:

Approach the obstacle at a moderate speed. You don't want to be going too fast or too slow.
Ollie onto the lip of the obstacle. To do this, you will need to pop the tail of your skateboard down onto the ground while simultaneously jumping into the air.
As you are in the air, reach out with one or both hands and plant them on the coping or lip of the obstacle.
Shift your weight onto your hands as you balance on the lip of the obstacle.
When you are ready to dismount the obstacle, simply push off with your hands and land back on the ground.

It's important to practice this trick in a safe and controlled environment, such as a skatepark, and to be mindful of your surroundings. Handplants can be a fun and challenging element of skateboarding, but they can also be risky if you are not careful.

Tips for practicing and improving your skateboarding skills

Here are a few tips for practicing and improving your skateboarding skills:

Practice regularly: The more you skate, the better you will become. Set aside time each week to practice your skateboarding skills.
Start small: Begin by practicing basic tricks and techniques on small obstacles or flat ground. As you improve, you can gradually move on to larger and more challenging obstacles.
Wear protective gear: It's important to protect yourself while skateboarding. Wear a helmet, elbow pads, and knee pads to help prevent injury.
Watch and learn from others: Observing experienced skateboarders can be a great way to learn new tricks and techniques. Watch skateboarding videos online or visit a skatepark to watch skilled skateboarders in person.
Don't be afraid to ask for help: If you are struggling with a particular trick or technique, don't be afraid to ask a more experienced skateboarder or a skateboarding instructor for help.
Stay patient: Skateboarding takes time and practice to master. Don't get discouraged if you struggle at first. Keep practicing and you will improve.
Stay safe: Always skate in a safe and controlled environment, and be mindful of your surroundings. Skateboarding can be a lot of fun, but it can also be risky if you are not careful.

Wrapping up

Skateboarding is a fun and exciting activity that offers endless possibilities for creativity and self-expression. Whether you are just starting out or have been skateboarding for years, there is always room to improve and learn new tricks.

Learning skateboard tricks takes time and practice, but it can be a rewarding and enjoyable process. By setting aside time to practice, watching and learning from others, and staying patient and persistent, you can improve your skateboarding skills and have a lot of fun in the process.

So don't be afraid to get out there and give skateboarding a try. Whether you are just cruising around or learning to grind and flip, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Just remember to stay safe, wear protective gear, and above all, have fun!

Rex Anthony

Rex is one of the guys behind Skateboard Authority. He has been Skateboarding for more than 10 years now. During his free time, you will find him grinding some rails at the skate park. He write articles that help you level up your skateboarding skill to give you the confidence to take on more challenges like the pros.