Skateboarding is a dynamic and exciting sport, involving a combination of creativity, skill, and adrenaline. From street skaters to vert enthusiasts, skateboarders have developed their own language to describe everything from tricks and stances to parts of the skateboard itself. Understanding these terms is crucial whether you’re just starting out or are already a seasoned skater. In this article, we will dive deep into the essential skateboarding terminology, breaking down each term so that beginners and experienced skaters alike can improve their skills and understanding of the sport.
1. Basic Skateboarding Terminology
Skateboarding has its own unique set of terms that are used to describe everything from equipment to techniques. Here are some of the fundamental terms every skater should know.
Deck
The deck is the flat board that a skater stands on. It is typically made of wood, often seven or more layers of maple, and comes in various sizes and shapes depending on the skater’s style and preference.
Trucks
The trucks are the metal parts that attach the wheels to the skateboard deck. They are essential for steering and turning and come in different shapes and sizes to suit various riding styles.
Wheels
The wheels are what make the skateboard move. They are typically made of urethane and vary in size, hardness, and shape depending on the skater’s style (street, downhill, etc.).
Bearings
Bearings are the small metal balls that sit inside the wheels, allowing them to spin smoothly. Quality bearings can greatly affect a skateboard’s speed and smoothness.
Grip Tape
Grip tape is the rough, sandpaper-like material applied to the top of the deck, providing traction for the skater’s feet. This helps prevent slipping while performing tricks or cruising.
Kicktail
The kicktail refers to the upward curve at the back of the skateboard deck. It is used by skaters to perform tricks, such as popping ollies, and provides control over the board.
Nose
The nose is the front of the skateboard deck, which is typically longer than the tail. It helps with balance and control, especially when performing tricks.
2. Skateboarding Stances
Understanding your stance is fundamental in skateboarding. There are two primary stances: regular and goofy.
Regular Stance
A regular stance means the skater leads with their left foot when riding. This is the most common stance, and skaters who ride regular stand with their left foot at the front of the board.
Goofy Stance
A goofy stance refers to a skater who rides with their right foot forward. Although less common, it is just as valid and often used by those who feel more comfortable with their right foot leading.
Switch
Switch refers to riding the skateboard in the opposite stance. A skater who normally rides regular would ride goofy, and vice versa. Mastering switch is a sign of advanced skill in skateboarding.
Nollie
A nollie is similar to an ollie but with the front foot (the nose) popping the board into the air. This trick is often used as a precursor to other tricks.
3. Skateboarding Tricks
Skateboarding tricks are what make the sport exciting. They range from simple maneuvers to complex aerial flips, and each one has its own unique name.
Ollie
The ollie is the most fundamental trick in skateboarding. It involves popping the tail of the skateboard off the ground and jumping into the air without using your hands to lift the board. It is the foundation for many other tricks.
Kickflip
A kickflip is an advanced trick where the skater performs an ollie while using their front foot to kick the side of the board, causing it to flip in midair. It requires precision and timing.
Heelflip
Similar to the kickflip, the heelflip involves using the front foot to flick the board, but this time with the heel rather than the toe. It’s another important flip trick to learn.
180
A 180 involves spinning the skateboard 180 degrees in the air while the skater jumps. It can be performed as an ollie or combined with other tricks for more complexity.
360
The 360 is the next level of spinning. In this trick, the skater rotates the skateboard and their body 360 degrees while jumping, which is more difficult and impressive than a 180.
Shuvit
A shuvit involves spinning the skateboard 180 degrees beneath the skater’s feet while the rider stays still. It is a basic trick that can be combined with flips for greater difficulty.
Grind
A grind is a trick where the skater slides the trucks along an edge, such as a rail or ledge, while balancing on the board. The most common grinds are the 50-50 (both trucks grind) and the smith grind (only the back truck grinds).
Slide
A slide is similar to a grind, but the skateboard doesn’t touch the edge with the trucks. Instead, the skater slides the deck across the surface. Common slides include the boardslide and crooked slide.
Nose Manual
A nose manual is when the skater lifts the tail of the board off the ground and balances on the front wheels. It requires a lot of balance and is often used to set up other tricks.
Tail Slide
In a tail slide, the back end of the skateboard slides along an edge, such as a rail or ledge, while the front wheels remain above the surface.
4. Advanced Skateboarding Terms
For seasoned skaters, understanding more advanced terms is essential for pushing their skills further. These include variations of tricks, flips, and specific maneuvers.
Bigspin
The bigspin is a 360-degree spin of the skateboard without the skater rotating their body. It’s an impressive move that shows a high level of control.
Varial Flip
A varial flip combines a shuvit and a kickflip. The skateboard spins 180 degrees while simultaneously flipping, which makes it one of the more difficult tricks to master.
Impossible
An impossible is a challenging trick where the skater makes the board flip 360 degrees while jumping into the air. It requires a lot of skill to get the board to spin correctly.
360 Flip
A 360 flip is a combination of a 360 spin and a kickflip, where the board rotates 360 degrees while simultaneously flipping in the air. It is a high-level trick often seen in street skating.
Darkslide
In a darkslide, the skateboarder slides the skateboard upside-down across a rail or ledge, with the grip tape facing down. It’s an advanced and visually stunning move.
5. Skateboarding Spots and Terrain
Skateboarders use different environments to perform their tricks. The terminology associated with various spots is crucial for understanding where to skate.
Bowl
A bowl is a type of terrain found in skateparks, consisting of large, curved surfaces, often with deep edges. It allows for fast, fluid skating with big airs and carving.
Halfpipe
A halfpipe is a large, U-shaped ramp that is ideal for vertical tricks and flips. It is a popular spot in vert skating, where skaters perform aerial tricks while riding up and down the walls.
Street Skating
Street skating refers to skating on real-world objects like curbs, benches, rails, and stairs. It is one of the most popular forms of skateboarding and involves tricks performed in urban environments.
Vert Ramp
A vert ramp is a type of halfpipe that is taller and steeper, providing skaters with the opportunity to perform high-flying tricks.
Ledge
A ledge is a flat, raised surface that skaters use to perform tricks, often grinds and slides. It’s commonly found in street skating spots.
Rail
A rail is a long, narrow metal bar or surface where skaters can grind or slide. Rails are commonly found in both skateparks and street skating spots.
Conclusion
Skateboarding is much more than just a sport; it’s a culture, a language, and an art form. Understanding the wide range of skateboarding terms is essential for skaters at any level. By learning about equipment, tricks, stances, and skating spots, you can improve your skateboarding vocabulary and, in turn, your skills. As you progress in the sport, you’ll find that these terms will become second nature, and your ability to perform and appreciate more complex tricks will grow. Whether you’re cruising down the street or shredding at a skatepark, this knowledge will help elevate your skateboarding experience.
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