Whether you're just getting into fingerboarding or you've been tinkering with your setup for a while, learning tricks is what takes the hobby from fun to seriously addictive. This guide breaks down 10 essential beginner fingerboard tricks—with tips, breakdowns, and video references to get you landing clean in no time.
🏁 1. The Ollie
The ollie is the foundation of most fingerboard tricks. It teaches you how to pop, slide, and land with control.
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Tip: Focus on keeping your back finger firm while sliding your front finger forward.
🔁 2. Shove-It
A stylish trick where the board spins 180° underneath your fingers.
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Tip: Use your back finger to scoop and guide the spin, not just push.
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Best practiced on a smooth surface.
⚖️ 3. Manual
Balance the board on the back wheels while rolling forward.
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Tip: Start slow. The key is subtle finger pressure.
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Bonus: Combine with an ollie for an “ollie to manual.”
↔️ 4. 180 Ollie
Once you’ve nailed the ollie, add a 180° body spin to it.
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Frontside 180: Your front finger pulls the board forward.
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Backside 180: Your back finger pushes backward.
💥 5. Kickflip
Your first real flip trick—and a gateway to advanced combos.
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Tip: Flick your front finger off the edge at an angle, not straight forward.
🧊 6. Heelflip
Opposite of a kickflip, where the board flips the other way.
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Tip: Flick with the inner edge of your index finger.
➕ 7. Pop Shove-It
Like a shove-it, but with a popping motion for height.
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Helps bridge the gap to more technical tricks.
🧱 8. Board Slide (On a Rail)
Your first obstacle-based trick! Slide the board sideways across a rail or ledge.
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Tip: Ollie onto the rail and land with the board centered.
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Use wax or a smooth rail for easier slides.
🧲 9. Nose Manual
Just like a manual, but on the front wheels.
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Tricky at first, but great for control practice.
🧙 10. Fakie Ollie
Riding backward (fakie) and popping an ollie from that stance.
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Helps develop board control in different positions.
🎯 Bonus: How to Practice Effectively
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Start on a smooth desk or tabletop
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Use popsicle stick-style decks with real bushings for better control
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Watch others and film yourself—feedback is key!
🛒 Recommended for Beginners
If you're just starting out, check out our curated Beginner Fingerboard Set:
