The rock and roll is a classic ramp trick and one of the first “real” transition tricks most skaters learn after dropping in and kickturns. You ride up to the coping, set the middle of your board on it so the front wheels hang over the deck, then turn 180 degrees and roll back down forward. It teaches you balance on the coping and confidence on the lip, which you’ll use for many tricks later. Here’s how to do it.
What Is a Rock and Roll?
A rock and roll is a coping trick where you rock the board over the coping so the middle of the deck rests on it, with your front truck over the ramp’s deck (platform). Then you lift your front wheels, turn 180 degrees frontside, and roll back into the ramp riding forward.
It’s closely related to the rock to fakie, which uses the same “rock” but rolls back in backwards without turning. Most skaters learn the rock to fakie first because it’s less committing.
Before You Start
You should be comfortable with these basics:
- Riding up and down a mini ramp or quarter pipe with control.
- Dropping in confidently.
- Frontside kickturns on the transition.
- A rock to fakie.
Choose a mini ramp with smooth, rounded metal or concrete coping and a ramp height around three to four feet. Avoid sharp or sticky coping while learning.
Step 1: Pump for the Right Speed
Ride back and forth to build speed. You need just enough to get your front truck over the coping, not more. Too much speed sends you onto the deck; too little and your wheels won’t clear the coping. If you’re unsure how to generate speed on transition, our guide on how to pump on a skateboard helps.
Step 2: Set Your Feet
Place your back foot on the tail and your front foot just behind the front bolts. Keep your knees bent and your shoulders aligned with the board as you ride up the transition.
Step 3: Lift the Front Wheels Over the Coping
As you approach the top, put a little pressure on the tail to lift the front wheels slightly, just enough to clear the coping. Push the board forward so the front wheels land on the deck and the middle of the board rests on the coping. This is the “rock” position. Your front truck is on the deck, your back truck is still on the ramp side.
Step 4: Hold the Rock
Pause for a moment with your weight centered over the middle of the board. Keep your knees bent and look back down into the ramp. Don’t lean forward onto the deck or the board will roll onto the platform.
Step 5: Turn 180 Frontside
Put pressure on the tail to lift the front wheels off the deck and back over the coping. As they lift, turn your shoulders and hips frontside (opening your chest toward the ramp) and pivot the board 180 degrees on the back wheels. Your shoulders lead the turn; your feet follow.
Step 6: Roll Back In
As you complete the turn, set the front wheels back down on the transition and lean slightly forward, into the ramp. Keep your weight over your front foot so you ride down smoothly. The most common reason for falling is leaning back at this moment.
Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them
- Front wheels hang up on the coping: Lift the front a little more before reaching the top, and make sure you have enough speed.
- Rolling onto the deck: Too much speed or leaning forward during the rock. Reduce speed and keep weight centered.
- Back wheels catch the coping on the way in: Lift the front wheels fully before turning so the board pivots cleanly.
- Slipping out on the way down: You’re leaning back. Commit your weight forward as you re-enter.
- Not turning far enough: Lead the turn with your shoulders, not your feet.
Rock and Roll vs. Rock to Fakie
Both tricks start the same way with the board rocked over the coping. In a rock to fakie, you lift the front wheels and roll straight back in backwards. In a rock and roll, you add a 180-degree turn so you roll back in forward. If you can already rock to fakie, the rock and roll is a natural next step.
Drills to Build Confidence on the Coping
If committing to the rock and roll feels scary, these drills break it down into smaller steps:
- Stationary rocks: Stand on the deck of the ramp, place your board in the rock position with the middle on the coping, step on it, and practice lifting the front wheels and turning 180 back into the ramp while a friend steadies you.
- Rock to fakie repetitions: Do ten rock to fakies in a row to get used to the feeling of the board resting on the coping.
- Frontside kickturns near the lip: Gradually do your kickturns higher on the transition until your front wheels are almost touching the coping. This builds the turning motion you’ll use in the rock and roll.
- Rock and roll on a lower ramp: If your local park has a smaller mini ramp, learn there first. Less height means less speed and less fear.
Most skaters find that once they land their first rock and roll, it becomes consistent quickly because the motion is so similar to a kickturn.
Variations to Try Next
- Rock and roll slide: Instead of lifting the front wheels to turn, slide the board across the coping as you turn.
- Backside rock and roll: Turn backside instead of frontside, which is usually harder.
- Disaster: A frontside 180 onto the coping that lands in the rock position, a stepping stone to more advanced coping tricks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a rock and roll a beginner trick?
It’s a beginner-to-intermediate ramp trick. Most skaters learn it after dropping in, kickturns, and the rock to fakie.
What is the difference between a rock and roll and a rock to fakie?
A rock to fakie rolls back into the ramp backwards, while a rock and roll adds a 180-degree turn so you roll back in forward.
Can you do a rock and roll on a quarter pipe?
Yes. Any ramp with coping and a deck can work, but mini ramps are best for learning because they’re forgiving and easy to pump.
Why do my wheels get stuck on the coping?
You’re either not lifting the front wheels enough or not carrying enough speed. Add a little more speed and lift the front slightly earlier.
Should I wear pads to learn a rock and roll?
Yes. Knee pads and a helmet are highly recommended for ramp tricks, as falls on transition are common while learning.
