How to Drop In on a Skateboard? – The Easiest Way Tutorial

Whether riding a skateboard for the first time or as a pro, you always think of making your rides more thrilling. And you know that the best thing to do to practice challenging rides is by heading to a skatepark. From there, one of the things you’ll learn is how to drop in on a skateboard.

Here are a few tips for dropping in on a skateboard that will help you execute your best moves.

What You Will Need

Trying skateboard tricks is an exciting stage for every skateboarder. Let’s make your first drop in on a skateboard secure and oozing with confidence by preparing the following.

There are plenty of skateboards classified per usage, type, age compatibility, and many more aspects. The best skateboard you can use is one intended for doing skateboard tricks. Also, you have to ensure that its wheels, deck, trucks, and grip tape are of good quality. These components will make your skateboard drop in more stable.

If you plan to buy a skateboard for doing tricks, do enough research and check not only its brand. By knowing the technical aspects of skateboarding, you will have an unbiased judgment when selecting which one to buy. Plus, you are making every penny count when you spend on the right skateboard.

The level of precaution you have for tricky rides should, at least, equal or exceed your care when doing casual rides. Thus, it is necessary to prepare a complete set of safety gear when dropping in on a skateboard.

When selecting skateboard gear, look for ones with high-quality materials. Remember that your goal is to learn dropping in without suffering from injuries.

Included in your set of safety gear are the helmet, knee and elbow support, wrist guards, and shatterproof glasses. Each of these protects against all sorts of possible damages when riding a skateboard.

You might insist on wearing a pair of ankle support for additional protection, but the most significant foot apparel you have to wear is a good pair of shoes.

When deciding what shoes to wear, you have to consider your stability on the deck and how they fit when you wear them. Having a good quality grip tape is always a good idea. And the same is true when having footwear that holds onto the board firmly.

It’s best to practice in the same skateboard park until you master a trick. Changing environments could affect your progression not only when dropping in on your longboard but when performing other tricks as well. Thus, select a skateboard park nearest to you or some other parks that make you comfortable.

A pro tip: you can start gliding on slightly sloping areas like your village street to feel what it’s like when doing it on a skateboard ramp. That way, your first drop in skateboard move will not be too overwhelming, and you’ll know what to do after dropping in.

Steps to Dropping In on a Skateboard

Now that you know all the things you need to prepare, let’s dig into the execution process.

Find a wavy village road or go to a skatepark with a bowl-type ramp.

Ride your skateboard a bit vertically inclined from the side of the ramp, enough to send you gliding at the middle of the bowl. Keep gliding while working with your knees in shifting weight. This practice helps you manage your body weight and execute necessary adjustments when dropping in.

Start on the top flat portion of a quarterpipe ramp. Feel the ground, and begin to look downwards to grasp the depth of the ramp. That way, you’ll know what stance adjustments you have to do. Don’t push yourself too fast. It’s best to be comfortable before you do the succeeding steps.

Before engaging your skateboard deck to the ramp edge, you need to identify how to position your feet first. Face the skateboard and step on its tail with one foot. Leave your strong foot to step on the skateboard bolts since you will have to lean on it when gliding down the ramp.

Be sure that at least half of your foot length and entire width rests on the skateboard backend. Also, don’t place your dominant foot in the middle of the deck. It should be right above the front bolts. This positioning will help you gain balance.

Start by pressing the skateboard tail on the edge of the ramp coping with the back wheels hanging. Remember to adjust your foot positioning before finally shifting your weight. Try to aim at the front bolts using your other foot.

Press the skateboard’s front bolt using your dominant foot. Support your body weight with your knees as you get off the ramp.

This aspect decides your success when dropping in on a skateboard. Here, you are to engage your core, lower body, as well as your presence of mind. These will help you attain stability after pressing on the skateboard.

Remember not to lean back or maintain a stiff body because your skateboard may throw you behind. Lean forward enough to find your sweet spot without ending up on a nosedive. Your goal is not to be thrown off by your skateboard but to glide on it off the ramp coping.

With your skateboard now on a downhill motion, try to lean back a bit. This step helps you shift your weight from your dominant leg to your core. That way, the momentum prevents you from falling straight to the ground. Find your balance and execute the proper posture when riding a skateboard downhill.

Pro Tips

Here are a few more things that will make you a better skateboarder.

The best thing to do after learning something new is to practice consistently. Errors are part of the process, but make sure you go over them. Steady practice helps you become more efficient, and it leaves you some muscle memory that will make your future rides easier.

Dropping in on a skateboard is not the only trick you can learn along your journey. Thus, it’s best to prepare a list of the skateboarding styles you want to master. That way, you feel more motivated to practice more.

You don’t want to lose momentum once you start doing skateboard tricks. The more you go to skateparks, the more you stress your deck, wheels, and trucks. The best thing to do is to check your skateboard regularly before and after use. This procedure also helps you plan possible repairs, adjustments, and replacements.

Conclusion

Did you enjoy reading this tutorial? Knowing how to drop in on a skateboard is never difficult at all. Skateboard tricks like these should be accessible to all skateboarders like you. Thus, remember the tips I have shared with you as you level up your skateboarding journey.

Prioritize your safety, and awesome rides will follow. Do you find this article helpful? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

Michael Derosier

I am Michael, and I have been enjoying this fun sport for seven years. And nothing is better than having a community to share our passion for those thrilling tricks. I am ready to tell you all I know about skateboarding, showing you how to choose a good board and trick to start and how the practice goes. Stay tuned!