Like skateboards, fingerboards also have their fundamental tricks. And if not totally, then these skills are at least partially similar to those done on their bigger counterparts. So, are kickflips and ollies also possible on a fingerboard? Absolutely!
Today, we will teach you how to ollie on a tech deck. Eventually, you will appreciate this skill more as you venture towards more complicated and advanced fingerboard stunts.
Table of Contents
Ways to Ollie on a Tech Deck
Wait, did we say ways? Yes! Unlike skateboards, tech deck ollies might vary, but not overwhelmingly. Here are two ollie classes we will try.
- With 3 fingers – In a three-fingered ollie, right-handed players place their index finger on the front truck bolts, the middle on the rear truck, and the ring on the tail.
- With 2 fingers – The two-fingered way of fingerboard skating is the most widely seen technique to perform an ollie.
What you need
Try checking a teck deck video, and it will likely suggest that ollies are fundamental finger and skateboard tricks, and fingerboard skating requires only the following.
- A quality fingerboard – Perhaps, most fingerboard users that ollie repeatedly are beginners. And with repeated execution of tricks, you need a fingerboard durable enough to withstand your activity.
- A flat riding spot – Other finger skaters, especially pros, practice with a ledge or ramp. But beginners can start with a smooth, flat skating surface, like a table.
Performing the Ollie
As mentioned, we can do ollie tech deck tricks in two ways. Let’s start with the most popular of tech deck tutorials, the two-fingered ollie.
1. Using two fingers
Step 1: Finger positioning
Like skateboarding, fingerboard skating requires players to push using their comfortable hand. And for this tutorial, let’s assume we’re all right-handed fingerboard users.
So, place your middle finger near the deck’s tail, behind the rear truck bolts. Additionally, put your pointer or index finger near the center of the board behind the front truck bolts.
Practice moving the fingerboard left and right to ensure you are comfortable with it. You may also want to do fakies. So, get the board to go with your fingers up and down.
Step 2: Initiating the ollie
Begin by practicing the snapping motion. With your right hand, train your middle finger to get that snap on the fingerboard’s tail. Keep doing it until the movement becomes more natural.
Let’s say you have already mastered snapping the deck’s tail. What’s next? Make your board hop in the air.
So, push your fingerboard forward. Snap its tail, and it will pop off the table. With the board in the air, slide your fingers to the front. Yes, your index should be above the front truck bolts while the middle finger goes to the back trucks.
As soon as your fingers move to their correct spots, press the fingerboard back on the table to land.
2. Using three fingers
How different is the previous ollie from this style?
Unlike the two-fingered ollie, ollies using three fingers find the ring finger in the middle’s place. Specifically, the center finger sits over the rear truck bolts while the ring is behind it. This style has the same first step as the previous one.
You press on the tail of the board while the index is on the front bolts.
The only difference is that three fingers take off with the fingerboard. What about landing?
Before landing, we move our fingers toward the deck’s nose. During such a stage, your ring finger may no longer be necessary.
So, like the previous style, you will use your index and middle finger to move the fingerboard forward and guide it to landing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest fingerboard trick?
Often, new fingerboard users want to know about the fastest tricks to master. Besides ollies, here are two more fundamental skills you should learn.
- Kickflip – Kickflips are preparatory tricks for 180° and 360° fingerboard flips.
- Shuvit – This trick is the best thing to master after an ollie. It’s perfect for beginners wanting to master sliding and grinding.
Another trick you can refer to:
Conclusion
Fingerboards may be small, but they can offer as much thrill as skateboards. If you can do tricks on a skateboard, you can also use a tech deck to do the same. You only need to work on your creativity or listen to what experts teach.
So, now that you have mastered how to ollie on a tech deck, new fingerboard tricks are finally an inch more achievable. Variations could exist, but they won’t confuse you.
Remember, proper foot positioning and take-off are the keys. With these, you should be able to perfect your fingerboard ollie.
Hi, I am Charles Harris. I opened this site to write as much as I can about my biggest passion – skateboarding!
I started as a clumsy yet passionate rookie 10 years ago to now a still passionate yet much better skateboarder! But I have to tell you, the whole journey has always been fun and rewarding, indeed not without hardship.