Learning to longboard can be an exciting experience, but it’s essential to grasp the fundamentals first. Many beginners struggle with balance and pushing, which are the building blocks for more advanced skills. This guide will walk you through the crucial aspects of foot positioning, weight distribution, turning, and stopping, ensuring you’ll be comfortably rolling in no time. With practice, you’ll be confidently navigating on your longboard.
Essential Longboarding Techniques: Balancing and Pushing
How to Stand on Your Longboard and Maintain Balance
The Importance of Foot Positioning
Correct foot positioning is paramount for balance and turning. Incorrect placement can make longboarding feel awkward and difficult. Here’s how to position your feet for optimal performance.
Proper Foot Placement for Standing
Aim for a 50- to 90-degree angle off the centerline of your board. Imagine the centerline as a line running from the nose to the tail. Your toes should touch one rail, your heel the other, with the middle of your foot over the centerline. This stance gives you the best leverage for turning and balancing. The center of your foot naturally bears most of your weight, so aligning it with the centerline enhances balance. Avoid common beginner mistakes such as having your front foot straight or off-center, as this can hinder balance and control.
Foot Positioning for Pushing
When pushing, your front foot should be straight, pointing towards the nose, and positioned over the centerline of the board. This provides stability and control. Having your foot to the left or right of the centerline will cause the board to turn and make pushing feel unstable. Keep your front foot aligned with the centerline for a smooth push.
how to push a longboard
Optimal Stance on Your Longboard
Your stance is also crucial for balance. Start with your feet shoulder-width apart, though this may vary depending on your board’s length. Your front foot should be on or slightly behind the front mounting bolts. On longer boards, position both feet between the mounting bolts, closer to the front. Shorter boards like skateboards require your front foot over the front bolts and your back foot on or over the back trucks. Avoid placing your back foot on the kicktails, especially as a beginner, as this can lift the board and throw you off balance. Standing too far back on the deck can also lead to instability and poor control, as turning is most effective from the front. Always ensure the middle of your foot is over the centerline.
longboard stance
skateboard stance
Weight Distribution: Focus on Your Front Foot
Many beginners mistakenly place too much weight on their back foot, which often results in the board moving forward and leaving them behind. Instead, focus your weight on your front foot or lead leg. Lean slightly into your front leg, or even bend it slightly to ensure proper weight distribution. This is similar to the stance that e-skaters use when starting off. Leaning back may feel natural, but it’s a bad habit.
longboard battle stance
Mastering the Push: A Step-by-Step Guide
Pushing properly is fundamental to longboarding. Always push with your back leg while your front leg stays on the deck. Pushing with your front leg, known as mongo pushing, is less stable. When pushing, keep your front leg straight and centered on the board, with your weight focused on the middle of your front foot.
longboard pushing technique
Your pushing leg should move freely without bearing too much weight. After each push, bring your back foot back onto the board, placing it at a 50- to 90-degree angle, then shift your front foot into a similar, comfortable position. Momentarily place more weight on your back foot as you shift your front foot, ensuring a smooth transition. With practice, this motion will become natural and fluid.
How to Slow Down and Stop
Carving: The Gentle Slow-Down
Carving involves turning deeply left and right, increasing the board’s travel distance and reducing speed. To carve, apply pressure to your toes or heels to turn in the respective direction. Bending into the motion increases the depth of the turn. Carving helps to reduce speed but won’t bring you to a complete stop.
Air Braking: Using Wind Resistance
Air braking uses the wind resistance to decrease speed. It’s more effective at higher speeds, and less so at lower speeds.
Sliding: Advanced Technique
Sliding, also known as power-sliding, is an advanced method that involves drifting your wheels to slow down. It’s difficult to master and not recommended for beginners.
Foot Braking: The Controlled Stop
Foot braking is generally the best method for slowing down safely. Shift your weight to your front foot, keeping it straight. Lower your back foot to the ground, making contact with your heel first. Apply gentle pressure to the ground and slowly increase the friction to slow down. Avoid putting too much weight on your braking foot, as this can cause issues when stepping back on the board. Once slowed, shift the weight back to your front leg, and return your back foot to the board.
longboard footbrake
Improving Your Foot Braking Skills: Off-Board Exercises
To improve your foot braking, start by building strength and balance in your lead leg. Try the following exercise off your board:
- Find a raised platform and balance on one leg (your lead leg).
- Bend your lead leg, lowering your back leg towards the ground.
- Bring your back leg close to the ground, keeping it as flat as possible.
- Hold the position for five seconds, then lift your leg back up.
- Repeat ten times.
Doing this exercise, including practicing on your stationary board, can significantly improve your balancing skills and your ability to foot brake effectively. Regular practice at low speeds will help you master this skill.
Troubleshooting Common Longboarding Issues
Why Does My Board Turn on Its Own?
Sometimes, skateboard trucks may turn on their own due to a manufacturer defect or another issue. This usually resolves once you step onto the board. If the issue persists, consider upgrading your bushings or the trucks themselves. Trucks that don’t respond to input may indicate worn bushings or low-quality equipment. New bushings can greatly improve performance.
Why Does My Board Turn Too Easily?
If your board turns too much, the bushings may be too soft for your weight. Upgrading to aftermarket bushings with a higher durometer (hardness) can give you a stiffer, more stable feel. The harder the bushing, the stiffer the truck. Your weight will determine what durometer is best for you. Tightening your trucks is an option, but may affect the life of the bushings, so it isn’t recommended.
For more on how to make your board more stable, consider reading this article: How to set up your longboard for stability
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Check out our other relevant posts:
- How to tuck: Downhill skating basics
- The guide to safe downhill skating
- How to setup your trucks for downhill
- Best wheels for learning to slide
- How to pick your first skateboard for downhill skating
