Keith Baldassare, 15, wants to make you a better skateboarder. And he has the skills to do it. In September 2008, Keith broke the Guiness World Record of 46 consecutive skateboard frontside ollies on a half-pipe. Keith’s amazing final tally: 348 ollies.
With a few ramps in his backyard, he has a great spot to practice right at home, which he does almost every day. Except that Keith doesn’t call it practicing.
“It’s just having a good time with my friends, being creative, doing whatever we want skating.”
Here are some skateboarding tips from Keith:
TIP 1: LEARN HOW TO FALL
It’s a fact, Keith says. “Be prepared for falls when you’re starting.” That’s why it’s important to learn the right way to take a tumble.
If the fall is too big for you to just land on your feet: Use your feet for a second as a stepping point. Tuck up into a ball (something like a skier’s tuck position), and then tumble and roll onto your shoulder.
And, Keith adds, always wear safety gear!
TIP 2: LEARN HOW TO DROP IN ON A RAMP
Start with the tail of your board on the edge of a ramp. Next, push down with the front foot and stay centered over the skateboard.
TIP 3: LEARN HOW TO OLLIE
You’ll be airborne for this trick, which can be done on either a flat surface or on a ramp.
Kick down on the tail of the skateboard and then level out the board by sliding your front foot forward. Think of it as sort of a jumping motion with the board “glued” to your feet.
This will take lots of practice. But once you master the ollie, you’ll have the foundation for many other tricks.
Find out more about skateboarding basics in the February 2011 issue of Boys’ Life magazine.
Tags: Skateboarding
I have been skating for a while and I can now Ollie, 50-50, and Ollie off a curb. If u need a deck, just ask around for a local skate shop. Once you get there, find a board u like. BUT I warn u- decks are NOT going to cost you at least under a hundred dollars. If you have a board from Target that was $30, u aren’t skating.
Actually you are you just arn’t using the best equipment
true. I have a skateboard thats $36. I cannot turn at ALL.
does it have plastic or metal trucks
Yes u r but with a cheap skateboard
Sk8ting is God’s way of saying “I love humans.”
easy
dont count on doing it that fast, it takes a while.
GOD BLESS SKATEBOARDING!!!
I JUST LEARND HOW TO DO AN ollie!!!!!
its not as simple as u think kids
it isnt. it also helps with shoes on. they forgot to mention that.
Skateboarding is the best sport in the universe!!!!!!
who doesn’t like skateing?
i dont
how can u not like skateboarding. its awesome.
thats cool yeah can you give me some tips to get a board in houston
Could ya give me some tips on where to get a board
no
Love it!!! Could you do a video on a cupl of others?
i think i might make a vid about ow hard it is and to never give up
i finally ollied for the first out of many tries
cool
i still cant do it /:
wow he can do the loop! thats awesome!!!
wow i have been trying to ollie thnx
that is boring
nice to read
guys, when u start dont count on doing an ollie that high because you wont be able to do that for a long while
Wow
just got back from a 2 and a half hour sk8 session! wiped out! i love skateboarding, have won 1st place in comps at my skatepark, and i am 10 going up against adults and awesome teens! anyways, everyone keep skating and be consistant to make your way up to the big leagues.
haven’t landed the ollie yet but keep on trying
that was asome
nice
hu dose u sponser
cool make some more
these are not real tips i can do all these things and its not as simple as they made it sound
This really helps right i mean im still doing it really helps
Keith is a great kid – we have known him for years and he has always been one of those kids you just have to stop and watch – congrats Keith
wow i love skateboarding but i was missing the basic foundation. i leaned alot thnx
cool i have been trying to do an ollie for a long time this should help
I know right me too
dont count on doing it because they didnt give all te steps
good