Dear reader, I write this listening to Blink 182, so forgive me if I make a couple of dumb-ass errors!
 

This article is being written to try to help you to perform the tricks that you want to do!

The most important part of performing freestyle is protection. The most important piece of protective equipment, in my opinion, and I think everyone else’s, is the helmet. Get yourself a good one. Your
melon is the most important part of your body, especially if you are a girl ;-).  Then of-course are pads, elbow, knee and then, wrist guards. Try and ride without them. Whoever invented the wrist guard, I thank you on behalf of EVERYONE.

Now, this is just an annoying part, some people don’t know what stance they are. Here is what the stances are, and this goes for skateboarding too.

Left Foot Forward = Regular
Right Foot Forward = Goofy

That is it. Nothing more complicated.

Now, some people have snowboard like bindings, which are all very well and good, if you are good. In my opinion, start off with slip in velcro bindings, so that you can get your feet out if you now that you are going to bail.

The simplest trick without doubt, is the Indy. All that you have to do is jump and reach down to the front edge of the board, and grab the middle. Piece of cake. A baby could do it, if it was super smart, or
maybe not…...

The 180 is the next step up. I advise you first try this on grass, whilst not moving. Just wind up your body which ever way feels most comfortable, and as you jump up, unwind your body. Obviously, you won’t get it the very first time you try, but give it about a week, and you should get it no problem.

Then, in difficulty, comes the Tailgrab. UH-OH I hear you cry, but no it is quite simple. Whilst in the air, off of a jump, just grab the tail of the board, (it may help some if you bring your back leg up,
bringing the board with it.)

The Nosegrab is basically the same as the Tailgrab, but obviously, on the front of the board!

The step up from the Nosegrab is the Rocket Air. This can be quite hard to master, but when you get it right, it looks sick. You must grab the front of the board, (like a Nosegrab) but with both hands. It
sounds easy, but can be quite hard.


Once you’ve mastered not moving, try it slowly rolling, and then build your speed up till you are confident to do it of a jump. Then try it with a grab The hard part is then trying to do it the other
way…..

The Roastbeef is another fairly easy trick, of which you must grab the backside of the board in the middle, with your back hand. The hardest part is not smacking your hand on the middle of the deck,
and I am not joking!

More to come soon, maybe.....