Every flip trick, every grind, every way of getting up a curb starts with the ollie. It looks like magic the first time you see it — the board seems to stick to your feet as you jump — but it’s really just physics and repetition. Here’s the movement broken into pieces you can actually practice.
Before You Start: Check Your Stance
Make sure you already know whether you ride regular or goofy — see our Regular vs. Goofy Stance guide if you’re not sure. Getting comfortable standing and rolling on your board before attempting an ollie will save you a lot of frustration.
The Ollie, Broken Into 4 Parts
1. The Crouch
Bend your knees and get low, with your back foot on the tail and front foot roughly in the middle of the board. This loaded position is where your pop comes from.
2. The Pop
Snap your back foot down onto the tail sharply, hitting the ground and popping the board up. This is the part beginners rush — a slow, weak pop won’t get the board off the ground.
3. The Slide
As the tail pops, slide your front foot up toward the nose, dragging the side of your foot along the grip tape. This is what levels the board out in the air instead of leaving the nose pointed down.
4. The Level-Out and Landing
Once the board is airborne and leveled, pull your knees up to bring the board with you, then extend your legs to absorb the landing with bent knees, feet over the bolts.
How to Practice It
- Practice the pop and slide standing still, off the board, to build muscle memory for the foot motion.
- Try it on the board while stationary on grass or carpet, where the board won’t roll away.
- Move to pavement once the motion feels natural, starting from a stopped position before trying it while rolling.
Common Mistakes and Fixes
The Nose Stays Down
Usually means your front foot slide is too slow or too far back. Focus on dragging your foot all the way up toward the nose.
The Board Flies Out Sideways
Your pop is likely off-center. Make sure your back foot is landing straight down on the tail, not at an angle.
You’re Not Getting Any Height
Height comes from a sharp, committed pop combined with pulling your knees up — not from jumping harder with your legs alone.
Gear Up Before You Start Falling
You will fall while learning this — it’s part of the process. A properly fitted helmet matters here more than almost any other stage of skating; see our Best Skateboard Helmets guide before you start.
FAQ
How long does it take to learn an ollie?
Most beginners take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks of regular practice — it’s one of those tricks that clicks suddenly after many repetitions that felt the same.
Why can’t I get my board off the ground?
Usually a weak or hesitant pop. Practice the tail-snap motion on its own, off the board, until it’s sharp and confident.
Should I learn to ollie while stationary or rolling?
Start stationary to build the motion, then move to rolling once it feels consistent — rolling actually makes the ollie easier once you’re comfortable, since momentum helps you level out.
What board setup is easiest to ollie on?
A mid-width deck (around 7.75″-8.25″) with grip tape in good condition makes the pop and slide easier to execute cleanly.
Final Thoughts
The ollie rewards repetition more than natural talent — almost everyone who sticks with it gets there. Once you’ve landed it consistently, check out our Skateboard Tricks for Beginners guide for the next moves to build on it.
