Learning to ollie is a milestone for any skateboarder, but it’s a skill that can be frustrating to master. Some people pick it up quickly, while others struggle for months. The average time to learn an ollie ranges from a couple of weeks to six months, depending on your practice habits and foundational skills. This guide will break down the process, common mistakes, and how to speed up your learning curve.
The key to mastering an ollie isn’t just about jumping; it’s about understanding the mechanics and building a solid foundation. Before even attempting the ollie, you should be comfortable cruising, performing kickturns, and doing basic manuals. Rushing into ollies without these fundamentals can lead to frustration and slow progress.
Common Pitfalls When Learning to Ollie
Many beginners make common mistakes that hinder their progress. Here are some of the most frequent issues and how to fix them:
- Leaning Too Far Forward: If you’re consistently landing in front of your board, you’re likely leaning too much forward. Try shifting your weight slightly backward to stay centered above your deck.
- Lack of Height: Not getting enough air? Make sure you’re actually jumping and popping the tail of your board with enough force. It’s a combination of both actions that generates lift.
- Board Goes Vertical: If your board is popping straight up, you’re not sliding your front foot far enough. Remember, the slide is crucial for leveling the board.
- Board Shoots Out: If your board shoots forward, you might not be fully committed. Leaning forward slightly will help keep the board under you.
- Fear of Falling: This is a common hurdle. Embrace the falls as part of the learning process. You’ll quickly realize they aren’t so bad and gain more confidence.
skateboarder ollies over 5 decks
Accelerating Your Ollie Learning
To learn the ollie faster, it’s helpful to practice some related tricks that will give you better board control and confidence:
- Hippie Jump: This trick will help you get used to jumping on and off your board while moving, improving your balance and coordination.
- Ollie Pick Up: It’s a simple trick that gets you comfortable with the basic popping motion required for an ollie.
- Acid Drop: Practice popping and landing, giving you a better feel for how the board reacts to your movements.
- Caveman: This trick is about jumping on your board while holding it, further developing your board awareness and balance.
- Bean Plant: Jumping onto your board while holding the tail will help with coordination and board control
Incorporating these tricks into your training will help you develop a better understanding of board control and balance, both crucial for a solid ollie.
Steps to Mastering the Ollie
Let’s break down the mechanics of a proper ollie: It’s essentially a combination of a pop, a slide, leveling the board, and landing on the bolts. It might feel overwhelming at first, but breaking it down into stages will simplify the process.
Before attempting an ollie, make sure you are in a safe environment and inspect the ground for any obstacles like pebbles, twigs, or glass.
Where to Begin
Start by simply standing on your board and jumping up and landing back on it. This will acclimate you to the feeling of jumping with your skateboard. Try this while moving to get comfortable with the “Hippie Jump.” Only move on to the next step once you feel comfortable and in control.
Popping the Tail
Now, it’s time to learn how to pop the tail. Place your back foot on the edge of the tail and your front foot in the middle of the board or near the front bolts. Make sure your back foot can hang off slightly; this provides a better pop. Start rolling at a comfortable speed and jump off your back foot, committing fully to the pop. A hesitant pop will result in a failed attempt, so make sure you are ready to commit.
Leveling Your Board
After the pop, it’s essential to level the board by sliding your front foot forward. This slide action pulls the board up. As you slide your front foot, lift your back foot to even out the board in mid-air. Pushing your front foot towards the nose during the slide will raise the tail, and contribute to higher ollies.
Landing Properly
Proper landing prevents board damage and injuries. Make sure you are balanced and centered above the board. When you land, absorb the impact by extending your legs and bending your knees. Aim to land on or near the bolts. It’s normal to bail out a few times while learning, so be ready to commit and keep trying. Remember, reading about it is not enough; you need to put in the work to master it.
skateboarder doing an ollie
The Difference Between Ollieing While Moving and Stationary
Many beginners might prefer learning to ollie while stationary because it feels easier initially. However, learning to ollie while moving is ultimately the best way to progress faster and more safely.
Ollieing while moving will give you a much more fluid motion, and when you fall, you are much more likely to roll out of the impact. It is much more common to hurt your ankles and knees when learning stationary. It can feel scary initially, but it becomes much easier once you develop some fundamental board control.
In the long run, learning to ollie while moving allows your muscles to adapt to the movement of the board, contributing to more confidence and style.
How Often Should You Practice?
Practice makes perfect, but you also need to give your body and mind time to process and adapt to the new movements you’re learning. Don’t over train, and take regular breaks.
If you’re feeling frustrated, try practicing other skateboarding tricks, like shove-its or manuals. Sometimes, a fresh perspective can work wonders, and you might find you’ve made progress without even realizing it. If your ollies aren’t coming together, try other tricks that will ultimately contribute to the development of the muscle memory and board control you need.
Consistent practice is essential. You will fail and fall, but it builds character. Remember, it’s a marathon, not a sprint, and the rewards of persistent effort are worth it.
Is Learning to Ollie Difficult?
Yes, learning to ollie can be challenging, but it’s a fundamental trick that unlocks so many others. At first, it will feel unnatural and uncomfortable. Popping the board and sliding your foot requires a significant amount of coordination and practice. Some people might pick it up faster than others, but dedication, perseverance, and consistent effort will get you there eventually.
Don’t compare yourself to others, just keep working at it. Check out what other skaters are doing, ask for tips, and keep practicing.
Conclusion
The time it takes to learn an ollie depends on your dedication, practice frequency, environment, and existing skills. Those who skate for 2-3 hours a day will typically progress faster than those who only skate for an hour.
If you’re struggling, focus on mastering some basic tricks first. Learning the fundamentals will set you up for advanced tricks and make learning the ollie much easier. Don’t get discouraged if you see others progressing faster. Everyone learns at their own pace. Keep practicing, ask for advice, and remember that consistent effort will ultimately help you achieve your goals. Embrace the challenge, and you’ll be popping ollies with confidence in no time.
Remember, there are always exceptions to the rule and some skaters do progress faster than others. Don’t get hung up on how others are doing, just keep working on your own skills.
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