A Step-By-Step to Improving the Ollies on Your Skateboard

Low ollies are a problem for most new skaters. Actually, ollies, in general, are a problem. There is a lot going on with this trick, and it has quite a steep learning curve. Plus, the ollie is one of the first tricks skaters need to learn -- so it makes sense that a lot of skateboarders out there get frustrated with it. To learn the basics of the ollie, read "Learn How to Ollie." 

Get in the Right Position

Almost all problems with low ollies are a result of not picking your feet up high enough. When you are executing an ollie, you should have your shoulders centered -- pull those shoulders back a little. Some hunching over is OK, but you need to be relaxed, with your weight centered over the board, and when you snap that back foot, pull those feet up into the air. Slam your knees into your chest if you can. Practice a lot.

Focus on Pulling Your Feet Up

If you are still having problems, here's the next step. Go out and try to ollie, pulling those feet up, and don't even worry about what your front foot does. You likely know that you should be sliding it up the board, right? Well, for now, just don't think about it. Focus on getting those feet up high and let the board figure itself out. Try this a few times and see what happens. Go outside, do this a few times, and then come back and finish reading this article. You might fall. That's OK.

Some skaters get so focused on sliding that front foot that they are actually pushing the board down with it. If you found your ollie was higher after trying what's described above, then you are one of these people. Now you see what's going on, and you can focus more on letting everything happen with your ollies instead of forcing it to happen. Go out and practice some more.

Figuring Out the Front Foot

You are still going to have to figure out how to slide that front foot -- not doing so can also keep your ollies low. And without sliding that front foot, you aren't really doing an ollie. Here's the foot sliding section of the How to Ollie instructions.

Get Real-Time Advice

It helps to have a skilled skater watching you as you try to do ollies to give you advice on how to up your game. Or videotape yourself and watch it. Try different strategies -- move your feet around on the board, try doing an ollie while rolling or while standing still. Read the how to ollie article linked above for some detailed explanations and take a look at the "Troubleshooting" section at the end.