Switch Ollie
Information:
Naturally, this should be the first trick that you learn while riding switch.
Description:
While riding using their opposite stance the skateboarder jumps and the skateboard comes off the ground as well. It seems to stick to his/her feet, and does not flip or turn while in the air.
Technique:
1. Push a few times to get rolling at a comfortable speed. Just because you are going switch, that doesn’t make it a good reason to pump mongo. Try to pump as if you always rode that stance.
2. Put your back foot flat across the tail, and put your front foot in the middle of the board. The farther back you put your foot, the higher you will be able to ollie, but you will also have less control. Setting up will probably take longer then it does when riding regular, and you might lose your balance at first, so try increasing the amount of time that you ride around switch to develop better riding skills.
3. Bend your knees. Push down as hard as you can on your back foot so that your tail hits the ground. At the same time slide your front foot up towards the nose of the board, and jump high. I mean jump high! Make your knees hit you in the chest. If your tail isn’t hitting the ground, you obviously need to try harder. You will probably feel very uncoordinated, but that is normal. Just think through the actions you need to follow before trying to ollie.
4. Don’t let your back foot drag you down. Bring it up too. Again, this will probably feel awkward and exaggerated, but it’s a must if you want to get any height.
5. Keep your shoulders and legs parallel with the direction you are going. It will make it easier to land.
6. Land on all four wheels and bend you knees to take the impact. Ride away.
Additional Help:
Problem: This feels really weird. It’s like I’m a beginner again!
Reason: You’re naturally more coordinated with one leg then the other, especially now that you have developed you skateboarding skills based on that one leg.
Solution: Think about this for a second: you already now how to ollie. That means that anytime you are having trouble with your switch ollie you can just turn your body the other way, try a normal ollie, and figure out what you are doing different.
