Skateboarding is one of the hardest sports to master and if you want to get better at it you will need to dedicate yourself and a substantial amount of time to it. Like they say “practice makes perfect” although skateboarding is something that is never perfected, but you can get pretty damn good at it! Skateboarding is not like a team sport where you can rely on others to pick up your slack. Nope, skateboarding is something you can only rely on yourself to improve at and have any type of outcome from it.
If you are struggling to progress in skateboarding there is likely some things you can do that will help you improve on your skills on your skateboard. If you’re new to skateboarding you might be having trouble with balance or committing to tricks. More advanced skateboarders might feel as though they have got to a point where they don’t feel like they are getting any better. Whatever your situation is, these eight tips on how to get better at skateboarding will definitely help you.
But first, if you’re a beginner you will need to make sure you have the right skateboard for your size to ensure your progression is not hindered by having the wrong equipment. Let’s also take a closer look at what is going to help you get better and improve your skateboarding skills.
How To Get Better At Skateboarding
1. Practice Regularly
Skateboarding requires consistent practice to improve your skills. Make time whenever you can whether it is at the skatepark or in the streets. Making a commitment is key, and you should make a promise to yourself to set aside certain days or an amount of time to practice no matter what. It needs to become part of your weekly routine.
Choose a day that works best for you and commit to at least thirty minutes on your deck. The driveway, sidewalk, or any concrete slab will do. Just stay as active on your skateboard as possible so it becomes second nature.
You could even build your own grind box or other skate obstacles to master tricks at home like a 50/50 ledge grind.
2. Focus On The Basics

Mastering the basic skateboarding skills such as balancing, pushing, turning, and stopping will give you a strong foundation to build upon. Once you have these basic fundamentals down you can start to focus on learning basic tricks like the ollie, pop shove-it, and kickflip. Visualizing your tricks is also another great tip that will help with progressing your skateboarding. Before you attempt a trick take a few minutes and visualize yourself performing the trick perfectly. For example, see yourself jumping high, flipping the board, and landing the trick. The more you visualize your tricks, the more likely you will land them.
3. Experiment On Different Terrain
Riding your skateboard on different terrain will help you develop much needed skills. Riding in the street will help with mastering rough, un-even, and unpredictable terrain. By learning how to ride on rough pavement will help with balance and maneuvering skills. When you go to the skatepark it is highly recommended to ride all the different types of terrain such as ramps, bowls, and street obstacles that include ledges, rails, and manual pads. By learning how to ride both street and transition you will become a much more accomplished skateboarder.
4. Get Out Of Your Comfort Zone
Pushing yourself out of your comfort zone is difficult but it will pay-off immensely. Don’t be afraid to try new tricks or challenges, even if they seem difficult. This is a great way to progress and become a better skateboarder. Just remember to take calculated risks and slowly work your way up to more challenging or higher risk skateboarding.
5. Wear Protective Equipment

Wearing a helmet and other protective equipment will reduce the risk of injuries. Not only will it reduce injuries but it also helps with feeling more confident on your skateboard. If you are padded up you are more likely to take risks and progress much faster.
6. Don’t Be Afraid To Fall By Learning How To Fall
One of the biggest mistakes people make when learning to skateboard is fear of falling. It’s important to remember that everyone falls when they first start skateboarding. The key is to learn how to fall. I know that sounds weird but knowing how to fall is a legitimate skill that skateboarders learn.
The first falling technique is try not to put your arms out in front of you but keep them tucked in close to your body. This will hopefully reduce the risk of a broken wrist or arm. Now if you combine keeping your hands and arms close to your body the next important falling technique is to learn how to roll. Rolling is a great way to reduce the force and helps with keeping your momentum so you don’t hit the ground so abruptly after a failed trick. Another falling tip is to run out of a trick which is exactly what it sounds like. If you are learning something new and realize mid try it is not going well, bail out and run out of the trick. This will most of the time prevent a fall and will give you a chance to try it again.
If you are afraid of falling, you’ll be less likely to try new tricks and progress in skateboarding more slowly. So learning how to fall properly is the beast way to overcome any of your falling fears and advance in skateboarding.
If you do fall badly, make sure to check for injuries and seek medical attention if necessary.
7. Watch Skateboarding Videos And Tutorials
Watching skateboarding videos is a good way to understand skateboarding and see how the tricks look and are done correctly. There are countless trick tutorials online these days whether you prefer to read articles or watch them on YouTube.
8. Have Fun
Skateboarding is about enjoying the process and having fun. Don’t be too hard on yourself, don’t worry about what others think, and remember to enjoy the ride!
You Might Also Like:
- How To Ollie On A Skateboard
- How To Pop Shove-It On A Skateboard
- How To Manual On A Skateboard
- How To Kickflip On A Skateboard
- How To 50/50 Grind On A Ledge
- 5 Beginner Skateboard Tricks That Are Easy To Learn
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