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Where to Place Feet on Skateboard? – Quick Tips For Beginners

Fact checked by Michael Derosier

where to place feet on skateboard

Are you an aspiring skater? After choosing your preferred skateboard, it’s time to try it, and the first thing you’ll probably do is hop on the deck, but do you know where to place feet on skateboard?

Posture, control, and balance are the three basic concepts you’ll need to properly place your feet on a skateboard and try different riding styles. In general, people are either regular or goofy-footed skaters. As you read on, you’ll know what is suitable for your style.

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Feet Placement on Skateboard

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There are different foot placements on skateboards to consider, and they are one of the fundamentals to learn. You can choose from the three types of foot placement listed below if you’re just getting started. As you progress, you may opt to change between styles on different occasions, whether cruising or doing tricks at skateparks.

1. Natural Skateboard Position

If you’re just starting your career in skateboarding, the natural posture is the most comfortable and is considered as the beginner skateboard foot position. It doesn’t matter if you’re a regular or goofy-footed skater. It shouldn’t affect your learning; it’s just a matter of personal taste.

If you feel comfortable with your left foot on the deck’s front, you’re a regular rider. On the other hand, if placing your right foot at the front feels right, you’re a goofy rider.

Detailed comparisons: Regular Vs Goofy

2. Nollie Skateboard Position

The Nose Ollie is shortened to nollie for a more straightforward pronunciation. The Nollie’s position resembles the natural position, but with one small and vital difference: your feet are pushed forward, and your front foot is placed on the nose of the board rather than on the trucks.

Also, when riding in a nollie position, your feet are still facing the same direction as in your usual posture, so it should be easy to adjust to it.

3. The Switch Skateboard Stance

The switch skateboard stance is quite challenging for many skaters, as it requires skating in a position opposite to your natural stance, similar to writing with your non-dominant hand.

In a switch position, if you’re a regular skater, your feet should be in the goofy stance instead. Although this is challenging, all it takes is a good amount of practice, and you’ll be able to skate this way without difficulty.

Quick Guide: How to Stand on a Skateboard

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The very first step in skating is to determine your preference in posture and your foot position, as mentioned above. After knowing where to place your feet on a skateboard, you can follow our short guide for standing on it.

1. Determining your posture

Place one foot carefully on the board, and then follow with the other. They should be apart by at least your shoulders’ width. Find your balance, and there you go! You just successfully got yourself on a skateboard.

Stumbling down, of course, is inevitable, but surely after one (or a few) falls, you’ll find that there is really nothing to be scared of.

Remember to keep your head upright as you get used to balancing and adjusting the pressure on your legs. This practice will result in a more stable posture over time.

2. Adjustments

Finding one good posture won’t work in the long run. Don’t be afraid to make minor changes with your ankles, hips, knees, foot, or any other part of your body as long as you deem it safe.

Lean your body and bend your legs to maintain a stable position. Moving your arms helps too! Make as many adjustments as you want for better execution. Practice makes perfect.

3. Eyes on the road

Keep your eyes forward but also on the road. Make sure to look at the ground from time to time to check for anything that might cause any unwanted accident. It might be hard at first, finding balance and continuously moving, but eventually, you’ll get the hang of it.

Footing Preference: Regular or Goofy

Even in skateboarding, there is a dominant foot. A good way to discover which you prefer is when you are about to climb the stairs: If you lead with your left foot, the chances are that you are a regular rider. Or, if you lead with your right foot, the chances are that you are a goofy rider.

But that’s not always accurate. To determine which is your dominant foot for your skateboarding journey, try this: Ask someone to come sneak up behind you and push you forward. Whichever foot you used to support yourself is naturally your dominant foot.

Keep practicing the natural skateboard position, and you’ll eventually get used to it, or much better, master other different stances!

Skateboarding Stance: How Important Is It

Certainly, skateboarding is all about balance. Just like in cycling, it is crucial to maintain balance to keep moving. Achieving your perfect stance is important because it helps you maintain a good posture and plays a significant role in your overall skateboarding performance and experience.

Having a good skateboarding foot placement will help you get better and execute cool tricks! If you still haven’t figured out your footing, you can always reread this article and learn to put your feet on a skateboard.

Conclusion

There is always a starting point for everything, and in skateboarding, it is the stance and footing. Once you master these two, the sky is your limit!

Flying might be everyone’s dream, and one can get that in skateboarding. The thrill and excitement skateboarding gives people are indeed immeasurable and surreal. But to get to that, it is essential to know and begin with the basics first.

Check this article when you need to and learn where to place feet on skateboard and find your footing. Then, let’s get skateboarding!

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