Ollieing Off A Kicker
Information:
A kicker is a transition (curved ramp). Before learning to skate kickers, learn how to ollie.
Description:
The skateboarder rides up the kicker and jumps. The board comes with him/her and he/she go off the end of the kicker, into the air, then lands on the ground.
Technique:
1. Try rolling up the kicker at a slow speed to get a feeling for it, and to check it there is any type of bump when you ride onto it.
2. You’ll need a fair amount of speed to hit the kicker, so push, push, push.
3. Stand in your normal ollie position. Bend like you would for a normal ollie. Get ready to do a normal ollie.
4. Wait until you are about half way up the kicker then start to ollie. Your tail should hit once you are about three quarters of the way up the ramp. Make sure not to lean back when you go off the kicker or else you legs will most likely be thrown out from under you and you will basically land on your shoulder, head, arm, or back.
5. Once you are in the air, level out and spot a landing.
6. You will begin to descend. When you hit the ground bend your knees to take the impact.
7. Land on all four wheels and ride away.
Additional Help:
Problem: My board flies out from under me when I’m in the air.
Reason: Unless there’s a hurricane nearby, you’re wrong. You are actually kicking the board away because you are scared. It happened to me when I first learned to skate kickers.
Solution: You just need to take a chance and force your self to land it. No guts, no glory.
Problem: I ollie, land on my board, then I immediately fall.
Reason: You’re are going to slow, or you’re landing with your feet in a bad position.
Solution: Go faster. Think about where your feet have to end up. Try and land with them over the trucks to reduce the chance of a snapped board.
Problem: I ollie at the right time, land properly, but I only land a few inches from the end of the kicker. I’m basically ollieing straight up.
Reason: You are going too slow.
Solution: Go faster. It will make you go farther.
