The ollie, a foundational skateboarding trick, involves lifting the entire board into the air while remaining attached to it. Mastering this maneuver on a Tech Deck, a miniature fingerboard, requires precision, coordination, and patience. Whether you aspire to impress your friends or simply relish the challenge of fingerboarding, this guide will empower you with the knowledge and techniques necessary to execute a flawless ollie on your Tech Deck.
To initiate the ollie, position your thumb and middle finger on the outer edges of the board, directly behind the front trucks. Place your index finger on the tail, ensuring it rests on the grip tape. Start by practicing the motion without the board, simply moving your fingers as if you were performing the trick. Once you’re comfortable, place the board on a flat surface and repeat the movement, focusing on pushing down on the tail with your index finger. As you do, simultaneously flick your wrist forward, using your thumb and middle finger to lift the nose of the board. If executed correctly, the board should pop into the air and level out beneath your fingers.
Perfecting the ollie requires repetition and refinement. Start slowly, breaking down the motion into its component parts. Focus on developing a smooth and coordinated finger movement. Once you can consistently pop the board, concentrate on leveling it out and keeping it balanced beneath your fingers. With practice, you’ll be able to execute the ollie with ease, opening up a world of possibilities for your fingerboarding adventures.
The Foundation: Understanding the Basic Stance
The stance serves as the bedrock for all successful ollies. It lays the groundwork for the fluid motion and proper leverage required for this iconic trick. To master the art of ollie, it’s crucial to establish a solid foundation by refining your stance.
Begin by placing your dominant foot slightly ahead of the other, aligning your toes with the rear truck bolts. This positioning will provide stability and balance. Your non-dominant foot should rest just behind the front truck bolts, providing the necessary control and leverage for the subsequent flick motion.
Maintain a relaxed and slightly crouched posture, with your knees bent and your core engaged. Distribute your weight evenly across both feet, ensuring proper balance and stability. This position will enable you to transition smoothly into the ollie motion without compromising your balance.
Remember, the stance is not merely a starting position but an integral part of the ollie technique. Mastering this foundation will empower you to execute ollies with greater ease and finesse, allowing you to soar over obstacles and unlock the full potential of your tech deck.
| Foot Position | Key Benefit |
|---|---|
| Front Foot: Rear Truck Bolts | Stability and Balance |
| Rear Foot: Front Truck Bolts | Control and Leverage for Flick |
It’s All in the Flick: Timing and Precision
The key to mastering the ollie lies in the flicking motion of your finger. This motion should be both precisely timed and executed with the correct technique. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the flicking process:
Timing: The Perfect Moment
The timing of your flick is crucial. It must coincide with the moment when the tail of the deck touches the ground. If you flick too early, the deck will not pop as high, and if you flick too late, it will not have enough momentum to level out. Practice repeatedly to develop the intuitive timing required for a successful ollie.
Technique: Flicking with Precision
To flick the deck effectively, use your index finger and position it just above the tail. As the tail hits the ground, quickly flick your finger downward, slightly angled towards the nose. This motion will create the pop and send the deck into the air. The force and angle of your flick will determine the height and trajectory of the ollie.
To further improve your flicking technique, consider the following tips:
| Tip | Description |
|---|---|
| Use a stiff finger | A firmer finger will provide more control and power to your flick. |
| Flick in a straight line | Avoid flicking sideways, as this can cause the deck to spin or wobble. |
| Keep your finger on the board | Don’t lift your finger prematurely; maintain contact with the deck until it reaches its peak height. |
| Practice, practice, practice | The more you practice, the more refined your flicking technique will become. |
Pop and Slide: The Art of Tail Contact
Mastering the ollie is all about getting the right pop and slide. Here’s how to do it like a pro:
1. Position your thumb on the tail: Place your thumb just behind the tail’s bolts, with your index finger extended along the board’s side.
2. Snap the tail: Use your thumb to push down and towards the nose, giving the tail a flick. The harder you flick, the more pop you’ll get.
3. Slide your index finger: As the tail flicks up, slide your index finger along the board’s edge. Aim for the center of the grip tape. This sliding motion will help level out the board and give it momentum.
4. Level out: Once the board is in the air, use your front foot to level it out by moving it towards the nose. Adjust your back foot to keep the board balanced.
5. Land softly: As you land, bend your knees and roll through the impact to absorb the shock. This will prevent the board from flipping forward or backward.
| Pop | Slide |
|---|---|
| Harder flick = more pop | Sliding motion levels the board and gives momentum |
Leveling Up: The Importance of Foot Placement
In addition to proper flicking and timing, strategic foot placement is crucial for executing a successful ollie on a Tech Deck. Here’s a detailed breakdown of where your feet should be positioned:
Front Foot:
– Place your front foot slightly behind the front bolts of the board, with your toes hanging over the edge.
– Angle your toes approximately 45 degrees towards the nose of the board.
– Keep your foot relaxed and ready to flick the tail.
Back Foot:
– Position your back foot on the tail of the board, with your toes slightly curled over the edge.
– Keep your foot perpendicular to the board, with your heel aligning with the tail.
– Apply slight pressure to the tail to prepare for the flick.
Table: Detailed Foot Placement Guide
| Foot | Position |
|---|---|
| Front | Slightly behind front bolts, toes at 45-degree angle towards nose |
| Back | On tail, toes curled over, heel at tail, perpendicular to board |
By following these guidelines precisely, you can optimize your foot placement and dramatically improve your ollie success rate on a Tech Deck.
One Step Further: The Back Foot Shuffle
Once you’ve mastered the basic ollie, it’s time to add some finesse. The back foot shuffle is an advanced technique that allows you to control the board’s rotation and land more cleanly.
To perform the back foot shuffle:
- Start with your back foot positioned over the tail.
- As you jump, slide your back foot along the tail, towards the front of the deck.
- This motion will help to level out the board and prevent it from flipping too much.
- Continue to keep your back foot on the board as it lands, to stabilize it.
- To control the rotation of the board, you can vary the angle and amount of pressure you apply with your back foot.
Tips for the Back Foot Shuffle:
- Practice the motion slowly and gradually increase your speed.
- Keep your back ankle flexible and relaxed.
- Experiment with different angles to find the one that gives you the best control.
Troubleshooting:
Problem Solution The board flips too much Apply less pressure with your back foot. The board doesn’t flip enough Apply more pressure with your back foot. The board lands crooked Adjust the angle of your back foot to correct the rotation. Rhythm and Flow: Combining Motions for Success
6. Completing the Ollie
Once you’ve mastered the flick and pop, it’s time to bring everything together. Here are the final steps of an ollie:
- Snap Your Ankle Backwards: As you push your front foot forward, simultaneously snap your back ankle backwards. This will level out the board and give it more height.
- Slide Your Front Foot Up: While snapping your ankle, slide your front foot up the deck towards the nose. This will help you control the board’s rotation.
- Level the Board: As you land, bend your knees and level out the board with your back foot. Aim for a smooth landing, avoiding any abrupt impacts that could damage your Tech Deck.
Motion Timing Flick Just before the board hits the ground Pop Simultaneously with the flick Snap Ankle Backwards As the board levels out Slide Foot Up Simultaneously with snapping ankle Level Board As board lands Practice Makes Perfect: Consistency and Repetition
The key to mastering any skill, including ollieing on a Tech Deck, is practice and repetition. Here are some tips to help you stay consistent and improve your technique:
Set a Regular Practice Schedule
Schedule regular practice sessions, even if it’s just for 15 minutes. Consistency helps build muscle memory and engrain the correct movements.
Divide the Ollie into Smaller Steps
Break down the ollie into smaller steps: foot placement, pop, and slide. Practice each step individually before putting it all together.
Use a Metronome or Playlist
Using a metronome or playlist can help you stay consistent with your popping and sliding motions. Experiment with different tempos to find a rhythm that works for you.
Practice on Different Surfaces
Don’t just practice on a smooth surface. Try different surfaces like carpet or wood to adjust to varying friction levels.
Record Yourself and Analyze
Record yourself performing ollies and analyze your technique. Identify areas for improvement, such as foot placement or body position.
Don’t Get Discouraged by Mistakes
Mistakes are an essential part of learning. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t land every ollie perfectly. Keep practicing and you’ll eventually see improvement.
Take Breaks and Exercise the Right Muscles
Take breaks when you need them to prevent burnout. Focus on exercising the muscles involved in ollieing, such as your ankles, calves, and thighs.
Set Realistic Goals
Don’t try to master the ollie overnight. Set realistic goals and break them down into smaller milestones. Celebrate your progress along the way.
Training Plan for 30 Days
Week Practice Time Focus 1 15 minutes daily Foot placement and popping 2 20 minutes daily Sliding and combining the steps 3 25 minutes daily Practice on different surfaces 4 30 minutes daily Refine technique and set realistic goals How to Ollie on a Tech Deck
The Ollie is a fundamental skateboarding trick that allows riders to jump over obstacles and perform various maneuvers. While mastering the Ollie on a Tech Deck, which is a miniature version of a skateboard, requires practice and coordination, it is achievable with the following steps:
1. Position your fingers on the Tech Deck. Place your thumb on the tail and your index finger on the nose.
2. Bend your thumb and apply pressure to the tail to pop the board into the air.
3. Simultaneously, flick your index finger forward to slide the board up and level it out.
4. As the board reaches its peak, slide your thumb back onto the tail to capture it and land smoothly.People Also Ask About How to Ollie on a Tech Deck
How to Ollie Higher?
Practice with a slightly wider stance and a faster flick. You can also adjust the angle of your flick to generate more upward momentum.
How to Fix a Popped Ollie?
Ensure your finger placement is correct and that you are flicking straight forward. Avoid flicking too early or too late, as it can cause the board to pop without leveling out.
How to Avoid Over-rotating my Ollie?
Keep your flick in a straight line and focus on sliding your thumb back onto the tail quickly. If you over-rotate, try flicking the nose slightly less.
