How To Stand On A Skateboard

Skateboarding is an extreme sport that requires balance, control, and dexterity. Skaters can perform complex moves and stunts that are hard to believe.

If you have a beginner, however, it’s crucial to stick to the basics of skateboarding before you venture out onto the streets, ramps, and rails.

Here’s the question for parents: what are the basics of skateboarding a beginner needs to learn?

It may sound simple, but knowing how to stand on a skateboard is considered to be one of the most essential things every beginner needs to know before continuing.

Whether its a classic skateboard, cruiser or a longboard, as soon as your child grasps the fundamentals of this major maneuver on a skateboard, standing planted on their board becomes as easy as A, B, C . Before you know it, they’ll be doing more complex stunts and skills that are technically demanding and impressive.

If you’ll be teaching your child how to stand and get going on their skateboard, you’ll need to follow these instructions step by step instructions for success!

Learning How To Stand On A Skateboard

The first thing you need to do is determine what stance works best for them. In the next step, they can practice standing on a skateboard and perfecting their balance.

Step 1: Getting Their Stance Right

The first step in learning to stand on a skateboard is deciding whether they would prefer to ride regular or goofy.

There are two basic skateboarding stances: goofy and regular. In the goofy stance, they should place their right foot forward, whereas, in the regular stance, they should put their left foot forward.

To determine which of these stances make them feel more comfortable, consider if they’re left-handed or right-handed. Although most skaters cruise with the regular stance, every skater will have to choose what works best for them.

Get them trying the board out trying both stances in turn.
If they’re not sure what stance to take, ask them to imagine themselves on the skateboard as they approach a ramp. Which foot would they natural feel needs to go forward first?

Step 2: Keep feet shoulder-width apart.

To begin, they will need a flat surface. At this point, don’t worry too much about skating.

Position both feet in the direction of your shoulders and move naturally. Make sure their weight is evenly distributed while in this position. The technique will help them gain sufficient balance and control while standing on the board.

Be sure they adjust pressure forward and backwards in between their legs. At the same time, place their body correctly while keeping their head upright. They will be able to align themselves properly this way.

Step 3: Bend Knees And Sink Weight

Ask them to take their butt down a bit and slant both knees forward a little bit.

As a result, their body weight will be centered with their hips. This is rather than being centered on their upper body. When their body is at the center of gravity, they are less likely to lose balance.

If their body is rigid, it is harder to correct their posture.
Avoid crouching or sinking too far. While in motion, all they need to do is maintain a lower position to create enough base.

Step 4: Point Their Head In The Direction They’ll Be Moving

Turn their head in the direction of their skateboard. This just means they’re facing the direction where they’ll moving. Instruct them to keep their eyes directly on the ground; this will help them spot any obstacles.

When they want to strike a balance, it is normal to face downwards. However, it is essential to keep in mind that their body will only travel in the direction of their head.

Step 5: Balancing on a Skateboard

Have them step carefully onto the board. You can use a hand to support them or a low wall.

Ensure that the leg they place on the board is firmly anchored. Have them lift the other leg cautiously and put it down a bit closer to their first foot. Ensure their feet are at a similar distance apart from their shoulders.

Congratulations, they should have mounted the board successfully!

They have now conquered the hardest part of all the tricks and stunts you will need while skating.

Have them maintain an optimum speed once moving; that is, don’t move too fast or too slow!

When starting it is, of course, possible they will fall once or twice – or more. Just like learning anything new, encourage them to keep going! Good things don’t come easy. Once they are able to recover from a spill successfully, their fears will gradually fade away.

Foot Placement on a Skateboard

So now their up on their skateboard, let’s get them positioned right.

Position Their Feet Over The Trucks

As a beginner, standing in the middle of both trucks is the golden rule. The truck is a metal shaft attached to the board’s deck that has wheels.

Make sure that their feet are on the bolts that are reflected over the skateboard.
Their feet should be separated by a distance that is roughly equal to the width of their shoulders.

Keep Their Weight on The Balls of Their Feet

As they gain confidence, have them lean forward slightly and place their foot behind their toes. It’s important they get used to all kinds of repositioning and shifting before skating. This will help them keep their balance whenever they encounter obstacles.

If they maintain themselves directly over the ball of their foot, they can slide, lift, or pivot while also allowing their body to absorb and reduce shock using the muscles in the lower leg.

When standing on a flat foot, it will most likely feel very awkward, since the formula removes agility from the equation.
Their balance can also be compromised if they let their heels fall off the skateboard or raise on tiptoe. At the top of the skateboard, it’s essential to maintain direct contact with the whole foot, but most importantly, where their weight is positioned matters a lot.

Make small adjustments

Have them regulate their body movement on the board by moving ankles, hips, knees, and feet. To maintain their balance, tilt, lean, and pump their legs in the right direction. Another way to ensure stability is to wave their hands in front of them. As they are in motion, it is vital to make all the necessary adjustments to keep themselves moving smoothly. As they practice, they will undoubtedly become better at it.

Try not to sway too far back or forward. If they do this, they could fall or even tip overboard.
Maintaining balance on a skateboard can be quite similar to maintaining balance on a rocking boat, so maintaining a light foot balance is essential.

Getting A Feel For The Board – Perfecting Their Standing Position

Make sure you start on a soft surface.

Place the board on grass, or a thick carpet can be used in its place as well. Be sure the wheels are not rolling, then they can further advance and learn all the necessary steps, tricks, and techniques they can use to stay on the board. If they use a smooth surface, the board will likely roll out from under them.

Therefore, they should gain some stability while maintaining a stationary balance before advancing to asphalt.

Be Careful When Putting Their Weight Over The Wheels

Stepping up should be done smoothly, quickly, and with control. Watch for both directions and avoid rocking the board. This can cause them to lose their center of gravity, which can send them, and the board flying.

Use The Grip Tape For Traction

Take off the basic grip tape from the skate, which is over the layer of tape used on the board. This type of adhesive is used on skateboards; it has a surface similar to sandpaper and is designed to help increase friction between your foot and the board.
The traction allows them to maintain control while riding. They’ll be able to move at a faster pace without losing their footing.
Skateboards without grip tape can be improvised by wearing grippy shoes and taking extreme precaution when moving.

Avoid The Tail And Nose Of The Board.

Skateboards typically have a slanted edge, referred to as “Nose” or “Tail”. They should stay away from these, for now. As a beginner, the additional weight on the nose or tail will cause the board to lift. In other words, if they are not very experienced, they run the risk of lots of accidents.

Be sure both feet are placed over the bolt that reflects overboard; this will prevent them from drifting from end to end.
Tricks and stunts are performed on the tail and nose by professionals.

Final Thoughts on Learning to Stand on a Skateboard

After reading through the above step-by-step guide, you should be all set to get your beginner skateboarder on the move independently.

The golden rule of skateboarding is to practice! Accept that there will be some adjustments compared to scooting and bike riding which your skater may already be familiar with.