Stomping it! How to Ollie

We’ve got a ton of awesome pro tips on how to land an ollie on your board. Plus, if you’re already down with this neat trick, grab some advice on how to ollie even higher.

What is an Ollie?

Ever watched someone skateboarding and seen them effortlessly jump onto curbs or rails without grabbing their board? Then you've seen an ollie. But what exactly is an ollie on a skateboard?

The ollie skateboard trick is one of skateboarding's most basic skills. It lays the foundations for almost every trick you will learn afterwards. Invented by Alan "Ollie" Gelfand in the late 1970s, an ollie is when a skater pops the tail of the skateboard against the ground and leaps into the air. That causes the board to follow along, no need for hands. It’s a simple yet crucial trick that opens the door to almost endless creativity on the board.

How to Ollie on a Skateboard

Learning how to ollie can be tricky at first. But breaking it down into clear steps can make it far easier to land your first one.

Step 1: Make sure your feet are in the right place
Position your back foot on the tail of the skateboard, with the ball of your foot squarely in the centre. Your front foot should sit just behind the front bolts, slightly angled. That’ll give you enough room to slide it upward. Your shoes should be grippy but flexible. A great pair of skate shoes can make a big difference to your ollies.

Step 2: Crouch and get ready
Bend your knees and crouch slightly, shifting your weight toward your back foot. This position stores energy for a strong and explosive pop.

Step 3: Pop and Jump
Quickly press down on the tail with your back foot (the pop), while jumping upwards at the same time. Your goal is to snap the tail to the ground sharply, which will start the board's upward movement.

Step 4: Slide Your Front Foot
As you pop, slide your front foot upward toward the nose of your skateboard. This sliding motion levels the board out in the air, giving the ollie its distinctive horizontal shape.

Step 5: Level the Board and Land
While airborne, ensure your shoulders stay parallel to the board. Keep your knees bent slightly to absorb impact upon landing. Aim to land with your feet over the bolts.
 

How to Ollie While Moving

Once you've gotten the hang of the stationary ollie, the next big step is learning how to ollie while moving. 

Tip 1: Start Slow
Begin practising your moving ollies at a slow speed. This will let you build up your confidence without the risk that comes from extra speed. Push off gently, keep your balance, and get ready for the ollie using the same steps as you would if your board isn't moving.

Tip 2: Timing Is Everything
Timing is everything if you’re learning how to ollie while moving. Pop and slide your front foot just as you would when stationary, but factor in the movement under your feet. It’ll be trickier than when you weren’t moving, so take things slow to start.

Tip 3: Gradually Increase Speed
As you get more comfortable with the trick, gradually increase your speed. Faster ollies require quicker footwork and better timing, but they also allow you to clear larger obstacles, and they’re awesome for your overall skating flow.

Tip 4: Commitment
Fully commit to landing each ollie. Confidence and commitment stop you from hesitating, which can get you off balance. Trust your practice and go for it each time, even when you fall—it's all part of skateboarding progression.

How to Ollie Higher

Once you've dialled in your basic ollies and mastered popping up onto curbs and smaller obstacles, pushing your ollies even higher is the next challenge. A higher ollie doesn’t just look cool, it opens up new, more advanced tricks on the board too.

Tip 1: Stronger Pop
Improving the strength and speed of your pop is key to getting more height. So, practice snapping the tail down quickly and forcefully, creating maximum upward momentum.

Tip 2: Refine your foot slide technique
A smooth, fast foot slide can be the key to getting higher ollies – especially if you’ve already got a strong pop. Work on sliding your front foot up and forward quickly but with precision, helping to lift the board higher off the ground.

Tip 3: Knee tuck
Bring your knees closer to your chest as you jump, pulling the board higher into the air. The tighter your tuck, the higher your board will follow.

Tip 4: Practice!
Making the time to practice will naturally boost your strength, timing, and confidence — all key factors for getting those higher ollies.

Tip 5: Good posture
When it comes to boosting your ollie height, many people overlook their upper body. The key is to keep your shoulders aligned squarely over your skateboard at all times. The right alignment helps keep your pop stable and keeps the board under control in mid-air. Also, don’t underestimate the value of flexibility. Regular stretching can really boost your jumps and the smoothness of your knee tuck.

Tip 6: The right follow-through
The final element is follow-through. Just like a jump in basketball, follow through by extending your body upward and fully straightening your legs at the peak of the ollie. This will help maximise height and give you more air time.