Ollie facts for kids

An Ollie is a super cool and basic skateboarding trick. It's like making your skateboard jump into the air with you! The amazing part is, you don't use your hands at all. The board stays "stuck" to your feet as you fly up. This trick is a key move for learning many other awesome skateboarding stunts.

The Amazing Ollie Trick

The Ollie is often called the most important trick in skateboarding. It lets riders lift their board off the ground without using their hands. This opens up a whole new world of tricks. Once you learn the Ollie, you can jump over things or even onto ledges. It's the building block for almost all advanced street skateboarding tricks.

Who Invented the Ollie?

The Ollie was invented by a skateboarder named Alan "Ollie" Gelfand. He first did this trick in 1978. Alan was riding in empty swimming pools, which is called "vert" skateboarding. He figured out how to make his board stick to his feet when jumping. This was a huge breakthrough! Later, Rodney Mullen adapted the trick for flat ground in 1982. This made the Ollie famous for street skateboarding.

How to Do an Ollie

Learning the Ollie takes practice, but it's very rewarding. Here are the basic steps to make your board jump:

Foot Placement for Your Ollie

First, place your back foot on the tail (the back end) of your skateboard. Your front foot should be somewhere near the middle of the board. Some riders like it closer to the front trucks. Find a comfortable spot that gives you good balance.

Popping the Tail

Next, quickly push down on the tail of your board with your back foot. This is called "popping" the tail. You want to hit the tail against the ground. This makes the nose (front end) of your board lift into the air. It's a quick, strong stomp.

Sliding Your Front Foot

Right after you pop the tail, slide your front foot up the board. You should drag the side of your shoe along the grip tape. This motion helps to level out the board in the air. It also helps to bring the board up higher with you.

Jumping and Landing

As you pop and slide, you also need to jump up. Pull your knees towards your chest. This helps the board come up with you. Once the board is level in the air, prepare to land. Try to land with your feet over the trucks (the axles of the wheels). Bend your knees as you land. This helps to absorb the impact and keep your balance.

Why the Ollie is So Important

The Ollie is crucial because it's the foundation for countless other tricks. Once you master it, you can start learning:

• Kickflips: Where the board spins along its long axis.
• Heelflips: Similar to a kickflip, but the board spins the other way.
• Grinds and Slides: Jumping onto ledges or rails and sliding.
• Manuals: Balancing on just the back two wheels.

Without the Ollie, many of these exciting tricks would not be possible. It truly changed skateboarding forever. Keep practicing, and you'll be ollieing in no time!