Updated 14 Feb 20261 min read

How to Ollie on a Skateboard

Skateboarding · Ollie

Table of contents

The ollie is the foundation of almost every street trick in skateboarding. You pop the tail so the board leaves the ground and levels out under your feet—all without using your hands.

Invented by Alan "Ollie" Gelfand in the late 1970s and taken to the streets by Rodney Mullen, the ollie is the first trick most skaters learn after getting comfortable riding. Master it and you open the door to kickflips, heelflips, grinds, and more.

Step-by-step instructions

Stance. Stand with your back foot on the tail (ball of your foot, toes near the edge) and your front foot behind the bolts, angled slightly. Bend your knees.
Pop. Jump and snap your back foot down on the tail so the tail hits the ground. The board will start to rise.
Slide. As the tail pops, slide your front foot up toward the nose. This levels the board and brings it under you.
Level and land. Keep your shoulders level and your weight centered. Let the board rise, then land with both feet on the bolts, knees bent.

Tips for success

Start rolling slowly; a moving ollie is easier than stationary.
Pop straight down with the tail—don’t push the board backward.
The front foot slide is what levels the board; practice the motion.
Commit: jump with the board, don’t step off.

Video

How to Ollie on a Skateboard

Frequently Asked Questions

Who invented the ollie?

Alan 'Ollie' Gelfand invented the trick in 1976 in Florida. Rodney Mullen later adapted it to flat ground.

How long does it take to learn an ollie?

It varies. With regular practice, many people get their first ollie within a few weeks.

Why does my board go behind me?

Usually the back foot is doing too much or the front foot isn’t sliding. Focus on popping straight down and sliding the front foot forward and up.