When you’re starting out on a snowboard, one of the first and most important tricks you’ll want to learn is the ollie. It’s a fundamental skill that not only helps with balance but also lays the foundation for almost every other maneuver you’ll perform on the mountain. In this article, we’ll dive into the details of the ollie, from what it is to how to perform it, and why it’s such an essential trick for snowboarders of all levels.
What Is The Ollie?
The ollie is a trick where the rider uses their back foot to pop the board off the snow, allowing them to jump into the air. Unlike tricks like jumps or spins, the ollie doesn’t require a ramp or an obstacle. It’s purely a skill-based move that relies on timing, body control, and a strong, explosive pop from the back foot. The ollie is one of the first tricks you’ll want to master because it’s essential for progressing in snowboarding. Once you have the ollie down, you can begin to work on other skills like grabs, spins, and even jumping over obstacles.
While the ollie might seem simple, there are key techniques and principles you need to understand to execute it properly. Mastering the ollie will not only give you confidence on your board but also provide you with the skills necessary to perform more complex tricks as you continue to progress in the sport.
Why The Ollie Is The First Trick
The ollie is often the first trick recommended to beginners for several reasons:
Foundation for Other Tricks: Almost every trick that involves jumping, spinning, or hopping off obstacles begins with the ollie. Learning this move early on gives you the necessary foundation to progress.
Improves Control: When you learn to ollie, you’re also learning better control of your snowboard. This includes mastering the ability to shift your weight, use your back foot, and engage your knees to pop the board into the air.
Low Impact: Since you can practice the ollie on flat terrain without the need for jumps or ramps, it’s a great trick to start with. You won’t need to worry about the high impact of landing on an obstacle, which makes it a low-risk move to practice when you’re just starting out.
Boosts Confidence: Mastering the ollie gives you confidence on the board. Once you know how to lift yourself off the snow, you’ll be more comfortable tackling steeper terrain and other tricks that require air time.
How to Perform the Ollie
1. Get into the Right Stance
The first step to performing an ollie is ensuring that you’re in the correct stance. Stand with your feet roughly shoulder-width apart, centered over the snowboard. Make sure your knees are slightly bent, and your weight is evenly distributed. Keep your body relaxed but engaged, with your arms at your sides for balance. Whether you’re regular (left foot forward) or goofy (right foot forward) doesn’t affect the ollie itself, but you should make sure you’re comfortable with your stance.
2. Bend Your Knees and Prepare to Pop
Next, you’ll need to prepare to “pop” the board into the air. Start by bending your knees and crouching down. This will help load your legs with energy, similar to a spring, which you’ll release as you begin the ollie. Make sure your weight is over the center of your snowboard, but you’ll want to keep your knees flexed and slightly ahead of your back foot.
3. The Pop (Back Foot Action)
The key to the ollie is the pop, which happens when you push down with your back foot. Here’s how to do it:
With your knees bent, quickly extend your back leg, pushing down on the tail of the board. This action will make the tail of the board hit the snow and spring you up into the air. The more force you use to press down with your back foot, the higher you’ll go.
While this happens, your front leg should be pulling up slightly as the board is launched upward. Keep your body compact, with your knees slightly tucked, and focus on lifting both feet off the snow at the same time.
4. Level the Board Mid-Air
Once you’ve popped the board into the air, it’s time to level it out. This is done by dragging your front foot upward along the edge of the board. As you pull your front foot up, you’ll create a level, smooth flight path for the board. The goal here is to prevent the board from nosediving (hitting the snow with the front end), which can lead to a rough landing.
5. Prepare for the Landing
As you start to descend, get ready to land by preparing your knees. Keep your body in a low, controlled position as you approach the snow, with your knees slightly bent and your arms out for balance. The key to a smooth landing is to land softly, absorbing the impact with your knees rather than letting them lock up. This will help prevent falls and give you a clean landing.
6. Land and Ride Away
When you land, make sure your snowboard is flat and level with the snow. If you land with the board tilted too far forward or backward, you risk catching an edge and falling. Try to ride away smoothly by keeping your knees bent and your body balanced. Practice will help you gain confidence in your landings and improve your ability to keep control when you land.
Common Mistakes And How to Avoid Them
When learning the ollie, beginners often make a few common mistakes. Here are some of them, along with tips on how to correct them:
Not Bending Your Knees Enough: If you don’t bend your knees deeply enough before popping, you won’t have the power to lift yourself off the ground. Make sure you load your legs by bending deeply and giving yourself enough spring to pop the board into the air.
Popping Too Slowly: The ollie requires a fast, explosive pop. If you pop too slowly, the board won’t leave the ground, and you’ll end up in an awkward, unbalanced position. Practice quick and powerful movements with your back foot.
Dragging Your Front Foot Too Early: The front foot should be used to level the board in the air, not to lift it. If you try to drag your front foot too early, you’ll lose control of the board and may even land on your face.
Focus on popping the board with the back foot first, and then drag your front foot once the board is in the air.
Leaning Too Far Forward: If you lean too far forward, the nose of the board may hit the snow, and you’ll fall. Instead, try to keep your weight centered over the snowboard and use your knees to absorb the landing.
Tips for Mastering The Ollie
Practice on Flat Ground: When learning the ollie, start on flat terrain. This gives you a chance to focus solely on the trick without worrying about jumps or obstacles.
Use Your Arms for Balance: Your arms play a vital role in maintaining balance. Keep them out for stability as you pop the board into the air.
Keep Your Head Up: Keep your eyes forward, not down at your feet. This will help maintain better posture and balance.
Be Patient: Like any snowboard trick, mastering the ollie takes time and practice. Don’t rush it—start small and work your way up to bigger, more powerful ollies.
Conclusion
The ollie is one of the most important tricks in snowboarding. While it may seem simple at first, it is a skill that forms the basis for all other jumps, spins, and aerial maneuvers. By mastering the ollie, you’ll improve your balance, timing, and control on your snowboard, which will make it easier to tackle more advanced tricks. Take your time practicing the ollie on flat terrain, focus on technique, and soon you’ll be able to perform this trick with confidence, laying the groundwork for your snowboarding progression.
Related topics:
