Power sliding is one of the most impressive and useful maneuvers in skateboarding. Whether you’re cruising downhill, racing your friends, or just want to show off some style, the power slide is a key skill to master. It’s a sliding technique that allows you to quickly slow down, stop, or change direction without putting your foot on the ground. In this article, we will break down the steps to learn how to power slide, along with tips and tricks to help you become a more confident skater.
What Is A Power Slide?
A power slide is a maneuver where the rider intentionally skids the skateboard’s wheels sideways to control speed or direction. Unlike a regular slide where you might just lose grip or slide for fun, a power slide is purposeful and involves controlling the slide to either slow down or quickly stop while maintaining balance. It’s often used in downhill riding, slalom courses, and technical skating to navigate sharp turns and steep inclines with ease.
Benefits of Learning the Power Slide
Before we get into the techniques, it’s important to understand why learning how to power slide can improve your skating. Here are some benefits of mastering this maneuver:
Speed Control: When you’re going fast downhill, being able to control your speed is essential. The power slide lets you slow down without having to use your foot or the terrain.
Quick Stops: Power slides are a great way to stop quickly, especially in situations where you might need to avoid an obstacle or make a sudden stop.
Improved Balance: As you learn how to power slide, you will improve your overall control and balance on the skateboard. This can make you a better skater in general, not just for slides.
Style Points: There’s a certain style and confidence that comes with being able to perform a clean power slide. It’s a great way to impress other skaters and show that you’ve got advanced skills.
Preparing to Power Slide: What You’ll Need
Before you even attempt to perform a power slide, make sure you have the right equipment and setup. The following things are essential for learning the power slide:
1. Skateboard Setup
A good skateboard setup is essential for performing a successful power slide. You want a setup that’s stable, but also responsive. Here’s what to focus on:
Wheels: Power sliding is easier if your wheels are made of a softer urethane compound. Softer wheels grip the road more easily, but will also slide when you put enough force on them. Wheels in the 50mm to 54mm size range are a good choice for beginners.
Trucks: Trucks play an important role in how easy it is to initiate a slide. If your trucks are too loose, you might slide too easily and lose control. If they’re too tight, it will be harder to break traction. A medium-tight setup is best for power slides.
Deck: A wider deck gives you more stability and control when you slide. Make sure your deck is sturdy enough to handle the force of the slide, especially if you’re doing it on downhill terrain.
2. Protective Gear
While learning to power slide, falls can happen. It’s a good idea to wear protective gear such as:
Helmet: Always wear a helmet to protect your head in case of a fall.
Pads: Elbow and knee pads will protect your joints during falls.
Gloves: Slide gloves can also help when performing more advanced slides.
3. The Right Terrain
To start practicing power slides, find a smooth, relatively flat surface.
Asphalt or concrete with a smooth texture is ideal. Avoid wet or loose gravel surfaces, as they can make sliding difficult or unsafe.
Step-by-Step Guide to Power Sliding
Now that you’re ready with the right equipment and preparation, let’s break down the step-by-step process of how to power slide.
Step 1: Master Your Stance
To execute a power slide effectively, you need to be comfortable with your stance on the skateboard. Here’s a breakdown of the two common stances:
Regular: Left foot forward.
Goofy: Right foot forward.
Make sure your feet are positioned properly on the skateboard before you attempt the power slide. The back foot will be the main one responsible for initiating the slide.
Step 2: Set Up Your Approach
Approaching the slide is a crucial part of the maneuver. Speed is important, but you don’t want to approach the slide too fast. A moderate speed is ideal for beginners. As you approach the spot where you want to slide, keep your knees slightly bent to maintain stability.
Step 3: Begin the Slide
Now that you’re in position and moving at a controlled speed, it’s time to initiate the power slide.
Commit to the Slide: The first thing you need to do is to commit. You’ll want to lean slightly into the direction you want to slide. In other words, if you want to slide to your right, lean towards the right.
Push with Your Back Foot: The back foot plays the most important role in the power slide. Start by pushing down with your back foot, applying pressure to the tail of the skateboard to initiate the slide. This will cause the wheels to lose traction and slide sideways.
Twist Your Hips and Shoulders: As you apply pressure with your back foot, twist your hips and shoulders in the direction you want to slide. Your body should rotate slightly to help break traction with the wheels.
Step 4: Control the Slide
Once you’ve initiated the slide, the key is to control it. This is where practice comes in. Focus on using your body weight to control the amount of sliding. Too much pressure and the board could spin out of control, too little, and you won’t get the slide you need.
Balance Your Weight: Make sure your weight is evenly distributed across the skateboard. Keeping your weight centered will help maintain balance.
Don’t Over-Rotate: Keep the rotation of your board under control. If you twist too much, the skateboard could turn too sharply, making you lose balance.
Adjust Your Feet: During the slide, you might need to adjust your back foot to keep the slide going. As the wheels begin to regain traction, lift your back foot slightly to keep the slide going.
Step 5: Finish the Slide
As you approach the end of the slide, you need to prepare to land back on your wheels.
Shift Your Weight: Start shifting your weight back toward your front foot. This helps the skateboard come back under you smoothly after the slide.
Regain Traction: As you continue to slide, the wheels will eventually regain traction. The key is to ease the board back into its normal position without making any abrupt movements.
Step 6: Practice and Refine
After your first few attempts, the power slide will feel more natural. Practice the technique in different conditions, such as on slightly downhill slopes, to improve your skill and comfort level. As you gain confidence, you can try sliding with more speed and adding some style to your slide.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
As you’re learning, you may run into a few common mistakes. Here are some things to watch out for:
Sliding Too Early or Late: Timing is crucial when performing a power slide. Sliding too early can cause you to lose balance, while sliding too late means you won’t have enough time to stop or slow down.
Over-Leaning: Leaning too much in the direction of the slide can cause the board to spin out of control. Keep a balanced body position.
Not Committing: Power slides require commitment. If you hesitate, you might lose control. Make sure you go all-in when initiating the slide.
Conclusion
Learning how to power slide is an important skill for any skater who wants to control their speed and maneuver more effectively. By following the steps outlined above and practicing consistently, you’ll become more confident in your sliding technique. Remember, it takes time to master the power slide, so be patient with yourself and keep practicing!
Related topics:
- How to Progress Faster in Skateboarding?
- What Is An Ollie Skateboarding Trick?
- Longboarding Vs Skateboarding: What Is The Difference?