The ollie is the foundation of almost every other skateboard trick, so once you’ve landed it consistently, it’s tempting to try to jump straight to the tricks you see in videos. Progressing in the right order will get you there faster and with a lot less frustration. Here are the five tricks worth learning next, in the order that builds on each other best.
1. Frontside and Backside 180
Before adding flips or spins to your ollie, learn to rotate your whole body 180 degrees while airborne. This teaches board control and commitment to rotation that every later trick depends on. Start on flat ground, use your shoulders to lead the turn, and land with your knees bent to absorb impact.
2. Pop Shove-It
Instead of rotating your whole body, the shove-it rotates just the board 180 degrees under your feet while you stay facing forward. It teaches the scoop motion with your back foot that becomes essential for flip tricks later. Practice the scoop separately at a standstill before adding the ollie pop.
3. Kickflip
The trick most beginners are chasing, and it’s genuinely easier once you’ve built shove-it muscle memory. The key is a controlled flick off the edge of your front foot combined with a clean, symmetric ollie pop — rushing the flick is the most common reason kickflips stay just out of reach.
4. Manual
Balancing on your back wheels for distance doesn’t get the same hype as flip tricks, but it directly improves the board control and balance every other trick relies on. Start by rolling at a comfortable speed and shifting weight to your back foot gradually rather than yanking the nose up.
5. Boneless or Drop-In
If you’re skating transitions at all, learning to drop into a mini ramp or bowl safely opens up a whole new category of terrain. Start on the smallest transition available, commit your weight forward as your back wheels touch down, and don’t lean back — that’s what causes slide-outs.
Tips for Faster Progression
- Master flat ground before adding trickier terrain — chasing tricks on ledges or rails before you’re ready just builds bad habits.
- Film yourself. It’s the fastest way to see what your body is actually doing versus what it feels like.
- Expect plateaus. Most tricks click suddenly after dozens of attempts that all felt identical — that’s normal, not a sign you’re doing something wrong.
Protecting Yourself While You Learn
Tricks mean more falls, and a properly fitted helmet matters more here than at any other stage of skating. Check our Best Skateboard Helmets guide before you start throwing yourself at new tricks, and make sure your shoes have enough grip and board feel — see our Best Skateboard Shoes picks.
FAQ
What trick should I learn after the ollie?
A frontside or backside 180 is the most natural next step — it builds rotation control that later flip tricks depend on.
How long does it take to learn a kickflip?
Most riders take anywhere from a few days to several weeks of regular practice, depending on how comfortable they already are with shove-its and ollies.
Do I need a specific deck width for tricks?
A narrower deck (7.75″-8.25″) is generally easier for flip tricks since it’s lighter to rotate in the air.
Is it normal to fall a lot while learning tricks?
Yes — falling is part of the learning process for every trick on this list. Protective gear makes the falls far less discouraging.
Final Thoughts
Trick progression isn’t about rushing to the hardest move you’ve seen online — it’s about stacking small skills that each make the next trick easier. Take these five in order, be patient with the plateaus, and you’ll be surprised how quickly your board control improves.
