==So, you’ve just bought your first skateboard and you’re ready to figure the thing out. By this time, you should be familiar with all of the pieces of a skate setup (trucks, wheels, bearings and deck) and the other gear that will keep you safe while riding (pads, helmet and proper clothes). If not, check out these articles before you get ready to go skate for the first time.
Ready to ride? Let’s take a look at some of the basics.
Ready to ride? Let’s take a look at some of the basics.
GETTING COMFORTABLE
No brand new mountain climber would, in his right mind, attempt to scale K2 as a first ascent. Nor would a first-year medical student be asked to perform a cutting-edge heart transplant. Part of becoming an expert in something is working your way up – starting with the basics and progressing into the tougher stuff only when you’re ready.
The same is true with skating: lay a good foundation and you’ll see the results as you become a better and better skater over time. These steps may seem elementary, but take your time with them and get a solid grip on the basics – these are the tools that will eventually take you to the next level.
No brand new mountain climber would, in his right mind, attempt to scale K2 as a first ascent. Nor would a first-year medical student be asked to perform a cutting-edge heart transplant. Part of becoming an expert in something is working your way up – starting with the basics and progressing into the tougher stuff only when you’re ready.
The same is true with skating: lay a good foundation and you’ll see the results as you become a better and better skater over time. These steps may seem elementary, but take your time with them and get a solid grip on the basics – these are the tools that will eventually take you to the next level.
FINDING YOUR STANCE
Skateboarding, like all board sports, requires that one foot be in front while another goes in back. Your front foot provides balance, while the back one steers and powers the board. Before you do anything on your skate, you need to nail down your stance. If you have surfed or snowboarded in the past, you may already know which position is more comfortable.
Still unsure? Try this trick to figure it out: ask a friend to push you gently from behind and then note which foot you step on to catch your fall. You’ll probably find that this foot is the most comfortable front foot when skating. If it’s your left foot, you’ve got a “regular” stance. If it’s your right, you ride “goofy.”
START SOFT
In the spirit of progression, the first step in learning to skate is getting used to the feel of the board. To do this, set your board on a soft, cushy surface (think a grassy lawn or a patch of carpet). Stand on your board and become comfortable with your stance. Make sure that your front foot is over the front truck bolts and your back foot is over the back truck bolts. This will provide balance and is the way you’ll place your feet under most circumstances (of course, several tricks require shifting your stance).
Try bending your knees and jumping around a little. Rock back and forth, from your toe edge to your heel edge and back, getting a feel for stiffness of the trucks and the general motions of skating. You might even try balancing on just the back wheels, then just the front wheels. Once you have an idea of the way the board moves, you’ll be prepared to ride on a harder surface.
Read Full Article Here: Learning To Skateboard
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