Bob's Trick Tips - skateboard trick archive -- the Ollie

the Ollie

I really almost didn't put up the basic ollie. It is the first thing new skaters learn these days -- even before they can turn their board or do a kickturn -- so I'm not sure this tip is needed. However, since it is so basic for modern riding, I decided it belongs on BTT.

Believe it or not, skateboarding did just fine before Rodney Mullen invented the flat-ground ollie. I say "flat-ground" because it was first done on vert. The no-handed "Ollie Air" was done by Allan "Ollie" Gelfand. It really isn't that much like the flat-ground ollie, but retains the name out of tribute to it's inventor.

First, a few notes:

The flat ground ollie is simply a timing trick, in which you jump into the air and snap the tail of your board on the ground at the same time. The tail-snap bounces the board up into the air under your feet, making it possible to get airborn. Your front foot is used to 1)control the board and 2)to drag it up further into the air.
I recommend learning this move stationary first -- probably on carpet. This will help you get the timing down.
Finally, the ollie is not that easy! While it is considered the basis of modern street skating, it is a fairly complicated and amazing feat. If you aren't great at it at first that's OK. It takes a lot of practice.

OK. As always, here's Fletcher. I can ollie pretty well, but hey -- someone has to do the taping!

Check out the video clip here.


Fletcher heads toward a slider bar at our local public skatepark. If you don't have such a thing, don't worry. Any obstacle will do. I recommend you begin trying to ollie very small objects -- like a pencil -- and then work your way up. As he approaches the bar, his knees are bent and he is ready to jump up. His front foot is slightly in front of the middle of the board, and his rear foot is on the tip of the tail. He's on the balls of his feet, ready to jump and pop. In frame 2, he leaps upward, while simultaneously smacking the tail of the board on the ground. This is important. It's that snap that really gets you started. It takes practice to get the jump/snap timing right. The front foot begins to drag up the grip tape.

As he continues to climb upward, Fletcher uses his front foot to level the board out. As I noted before, but using friction between your shoe and the grip tape, you can actually pull the board further into the air. Notice where his center of gravity (right below his navel) is. It's right above the middle of his board, where it should be! In frame 4, he has reached the apex of his ollie. The board is perfectly level and he's in control. He is about 15 inches up. Your first ollies will be about 1 inch up, which is just fine. The important thing is control.

Coming down is easy. Gravity -- one of the fundamental forces of the universe -- will make sure you come down. If you don't come down, then email me immediately. Fletcher extends his legs to keep his feet in contact with the board. As the board touches down, he bends his knees and absorbs the impact for a great, solid landing. Good job, punk!