2 Easy Skateboard Tricks

Two of the most basic skateboard tricks to learn are the No Comply and the Ollie, which are both very easy. Do you know who started doing the Ollie? Alan Gelfand began this amazing technique back in 1978, and this simple trick changed skateboarding forever.

A little background on how skateboarding became a worldwide hobby, you may already know that it was California surfers back in 1950 that came up with the idea of surfing on the streets; riding a flat board with wheels that simulated water surfing.

However, skateboarding has had its ups and downs just like any other beloved sport or hobby. In the early 60s, companies started the production of skateboards, or making wood decks that consisted of layers of pressed wood. It was a great idea, problem was the excitement and interest faded rather quickly; it only lasted about five to six years.

Skateboarding slowly began to come back to life in the early 70s, by 1972 the thrill of surfing on cement using pressed boards with wheels was gaining popularity, and in 1978 when Gelfand started doing his trick, the Ollie, skateboarding took off as a hobby and later became a competitive sport.

How to Perform an Ollie
Before trying any skateboard tricks, it is recommended that you wear a helmet, knee and elbow pads. To do the famous Ollie, one foot goes on the tail end of the board, the heel should be hanging off the tail curve and it should be slightly turned towards the middle of the skateboard.

Now, place the other foot behind the front wheel bolts with the heel hanging off and pushed towards the center; your feet should resemble a V shape. Bend the knees and at the same time kick down on the rear of the skateboard using the back foot and jump. This will make the board pop, so you have to simultaneously slide the front foot forward to the nose of the skateboard to level it out while you are off the ground.

Leveling the board is important; it assures a safer landing on all four wheels. Always bend the knees as you are coming down to control the board and maintain balance.

How to Perform a No Comply
To do a No Comply start with the rear foot across the tail of the board, and the other foot on the nose of the skateboard flush with the tip. As you squat apply pressure on your back foot, jump and slide the front foot off the nose and put it on the ground. The nose will pop, hit it with your knee to make the board bounce back downward and smash the front foot down onto the skateboard and lean forward.

If you do a No Comply properly while rolling on a flat surface, after landing you will roll away riding smoothly.
Practice the steps for the Ollie and No Comply on a soft surface like grass or carpet and master the movements before trying on cement or any other hard surface. Skateboard tricks can be a lot of fun if you keep safety first.

Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Gelfand