If you’ve ever stood on a skateboard and thought, “Okay… now what?” you’re not alone. We hear it all the time in our shop in Ajax. New skaters walk in asking what the easiest skateboard tricks are to start with. They don’t want to jump down stair sets. They just want to feel confident rolling at the park or on their street.
We get it. Every great skater started somewhere. The key isn’t learning the flashiest trick first. It’s stacking small wins. In this guide, we’ll break down what are the easiest skateboard tricks, how to practice them safely, and why these beginner moves build a strong foundation for bigger tricks later. Whether you’re skating in Durham Region, the GTA, or anywhere else, this list will help you progress fast without feeling overwhelmed.
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161 HARWOOD AVE N UNIT #6, AJAX, ONTARIO, L1Z0A1
Why Start With the Easiest Skateboard Tricks?
When people ask us what are the easiest skateboard tricks, they’re really asking one thing: “How do we start without falling every five seconds?” That’s smart.
Beginner tricks focus on balance, board control, and foot placement. These skills matter more than anything. Without them, even a small trick feels impossible. With them, progress feels natural.
According to research published in sports science studies on action sports, consistent low-impact practice helps improve balance and coordination significantly within the first few weeks. That means practicing simple tricks repeatedly actually rewires your balance system faster than randomly attempting hard ones.
Starting with the easiest skateboard tricks helps us:
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Build muscle memory
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Gain confidence
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Reduce fear
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Improve reaction time
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Prevent avoidable injuries
Think of it like learning to drive. We don’t start on the highway. We practice in a parking lot first. Skateboarding works the same way.
Before Learning Tricks: Master the Basics
Before diving into what are the easiest skateboard tricks, we always recommend mastering three essentials when you're learning how to skateboard overall.
1. Find Your Stance
Are we regular (left foot forward) or goofy (right foot forward)? The easiest way to check: have someone gently push us from behind. The foot we step forward with naturally is usually our front foot.
2. Practice Pushing Smoothly
We keep our front foot near the front bolts and push with the back foot. Once comfortable, we bring the back foot onto the tail and roll steadily. Smooth pushing makes every trick easier.
3. Learn to Stop Safely
Foot braking is key. We gently drag our back foot on the ground to slow down. No tricks matter if we can’t stop.
Now we’re ready to explore what are the easiest skateboard tricks that build real skill.
15 Easiest Skateboard Tricks You Can Learn Fast
1. The Tic-Tac
When someone asks what the easiest skateboard tricks are, we usually start with the tic-tac.
We lift the front wheels slightly and twist our shoulders side to side, pivoting off the back wheels. This small movement lets us generate momentum without pushing.
Why it’s easy:
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No popping required
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Helps with balance
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Teaches weight shifting
Tic-tacs build control fast. They also make us look smoother when turning at slow speeds.
2. The Kickturn
The kickturn is often confused with the tic-tac, but it’s slightly different. Instead of small back-and-forth movements, we pivot fully to change direction.
We press down gently on the tail, lift the front wheels, and rotate 90 degrees or more.
Why it’s one of the easiest skateboard tricks:
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Teaches control over the tail
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Builds confidence on ramps
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Prepares us for transitions
Mastering kickturns helps us navigate bowls and mini ramps later.
3. The Hippie Jump
This one surprises people. A hippie jump involves rolling straight and jumping straight up while the board continues under us.
No pop. No spin. Just timing.
Why it’s beginner-friendly:
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Builds timing
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Improves landing confidence
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Teaches board awareness
It’s one of the easiest skateboard tricks that secretly prepares us for ollies.
4. The Body Varial
For this trick, the board stays on the ground while we jump and rotate our body 180 degrees.
It feels strange at first, but it’s simple once we commit.
Why we love it:
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No board flip
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Great balance builder
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Looks impressive to non-skaters
5. The Manual
A manual is basically a wheelie on a skateboard. We shift weight onto the back wheels and balance while rolling.
It’s one of the easiest skateboard tricks, but it requires patience.
To improve:
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Keep knees slightly bent
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Look forward, not down
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Use arms for balance
Manuals build serious board control.
6. The Nose Manual
Same idea as a manual, but we balance on the front wheels instead.
This trick strengthens front-foot control and improves stability.
7. The Shuvit (Pop Shove-It Without Pop)
We scoop the tail lightly so the board spins 180 degrees under us without a full pop.
Red Bull’s beginner guide highlights the shove-it as a foundational trick because it introduces board rotation without complicated flips.
Why it works:
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Simple spin
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No need for high jump
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Great stepping stone
8. The Ollie
Now we get to the classic.
Even though it feels hard at first, the ollie remains one of the easiest skateboard tricks once we break it down.
Steps:
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Pop the tail
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Slide the front foot upward
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Level out
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Land bolts
The ollie unlocks almost everything else in skateboarding. We put together an easy guide to Ollie in just 10 EASY steps.
9. The Boneless
We step off with our front foot, grab the board, jump, and land back on.
It’s creative and doesn’t require advanced popping.
10. The Caveman
Similar to the boneless, but we start off the board holding it, jump, and land onto it.
It’s simple and builds comfort with landing.
11. The Firecracker
We roll down small stairs, letting the tail tap each step.
It sounds intense but starts small. Always wear protection when trying this.
12. The Drop-In (Small Ramp)
On a small ramp, we place the tail on the edge and lean forward firmly.
Commitment matters here. Once we trust ourselves, it becomes one of the easiest skateboard tricks on transitions.
13. The 180 Kickturn on a Ramp
After mastering flat kickturns, we try them on ramps. It’s a natural progression.
14. The Fakie Pivot
Rolling backward (fakie), we pivot 180 degrees using the tail.
It’s smoother than it sounds.
15. The Strawberry Milkshake
We step off with one foot and swing the board in a circular motion before landing back on.
It looks stylish but stays beginner-friendly.
How We Practice These Tricks Safely
If we’re serious about mastering what are the easiest skateboard tricks, safety matters.
We recommend:
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Wearing a helmet
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Using wrist guards
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Practicing on smooth pavement
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Starting slow
Confidence grows when we feel protected.
Choosing the Right Setup Matters
Board size, wheel hardness, and trucks affect how easy tricks feel. At Switch Skate and Snow in Ajax, we help riders across Durham Region and the GTA choose setups that fit their style. We don’t push gear people don’t need. We just make sure the board matches the rider.
A stable beginner setup makes learning what are the easiest skateboard tricks much smoother.
Common Mistakes Beginners Make
When learning what are the easiest skateboard tricks, we often see:
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Leaning too far back
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Looking down at feet
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Not bending knees
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Rushing progression
Skateboarding rewards patience. Progress happens step by step.
How Long Does It Take to Learn Beginner Tricks?
Everyone progresses differently. Some tricks click in a day. Others take weeks.
If we practice 3–4 times per week, most of the easiest skateboard tricks can feel comfortable within a month. The key is consistency, not intensity.
Skateboarding isn’t a race. It’s more like planting a seed. Water it regularly, and growth happens naturally.
Why These Tricks Build Long-Term Skill
Every trick on this list teaches something important:
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Balance
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Timing
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Weight distribution
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Board control
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Confidence
When people ask what are the easiest skateboard tricks, we remind them that “easy” doesn’t mean useless. These moves form the foundation for kickflips, grinds, and bigger transition tricks later.
Conclusion
If we’re just starting out and wondering what are the easiest skateboard tricks, the answer isn’t one single move. It’s a collection of small, confidence-building tricks that teach balance and control. From tic-tacs to shove-its, each trick adds a layer to our skill set.
We don’t need to rush. We don’t need to impress anyone. We just need to show up, practice, and enjoy the ride.
Why Trust Switch Skate and Snow
At Switch Skate and Snow in Ajax, Ontario, we live and breathe skateboarding and snowboarding. We serve riders across Durham Region and the Greater Toronto Area with carefully selected gear, honest advice, and real-world experience. We ride the same parks and streets our community does. That hands-on experience helps us guide beginners who ask what the easiest skateboard tricks are and support them as they progress.
FAQs
1. What are the easiest skateboard tricks for absolute beginners?
The tic-tac, kickturn, manual, hippie jump, and shove-it are among the easiest skateboard tricks for beginners because they focus on balance and simple movements.
2. How long does it take to learn the easiest skateboard tricks?
With regular practice a few times a week, most beginners feel comfortable with several easy tricks within a month.
3. Is the ollie really one of the easiest skateboard tricks?
It can feel difficult at first, but once broken into steps, the ollie becomes manageable and unlocks many other tricks.
4. Do we need special gear to learn beginner tricks?
A stable skateboard, helmet, and basic protective gear help us learn safely and confidently.
5. Where can we practice beginner skateboard tricks in Durham Region?
Local skateparks and smooth parking lots around Ajax and the GTA provide great spaces to practice safely.
