| Introduction | | | | How do I STOP!!!! |
| Before the lesson is given, the first few registration | | | | STOPPING |
| and introductory steps should have been put in place | | | | Growing up and learning how to skateboard |
| already (Liability waivers and and Fees should be paid | | | | throughout the past 15 years I have concluded that |
| before you proceed for the first skateboard lesson). | | | | there are three different ways to stop: |
| After all of the upfront tasks are handled you will | | | | 1) Jump of the board |
| need to schedule a lesson with the student and their | | | | 2) Back Foot Method |
| parents. The first lesson is always the most | | | | 3)Tail Skid |
| memorable so make sure your polite, courteous, and | | | | Jumping of your board is probably the easiest way to |
| understand that they are probably more anxious then | | | | stop on a skateboard and is pretty much a basic |
| you are. | | | | instinct when riding on a skateboard. Just remember |
| One of the things that I suggest is having the | | | | how fast you are traveling is how fast you will need |
| parents watch and take part in the skate lesson to | | | | to be running once you jump of so be careful. |
| lighten up the mood and the kids usually love it when | | | | The Back Foot Method is the stopping method I |
| they are not all alone with some weird skateboard | | | | prefer because you are still in control of the board |
| instructor, this is just one of the many things I | | | | and you can keep skateboarding without chasing |
| recommend. Let me back up and bit and start my | | | | after your board. THe majority of intermediate |
| curriculum from the top. | | | | skateboarders will stop this way. |
| The first thing I tell my students before the lesson | | | | The Tail Skid method is not a very popular one |
| begins is: | | | | because of the fact that it wears down yoyur |
| "The first three things to do before you Skate does | | | | skateboard equipment faster and with the prices of |
| not involve a skateboard at all!" | | | | skateboarders nowadays I don't think anyone can |
| I then ask them if they can think of some things | | | | afford to buy new boards as often as they should. |
| that they would need to do before they skate, the | | | | Once your learn how to push and how to stop |
| answers are: | | | | properly, the world of turning is introduced! |
| 1) Stretching | | | | TURNINGthe art of turning gets us from point A to |
| 2) Hydration (Having water or gatorade readily | | | | point B and without turning the use of the |
| available) | | | | skateboard would pretty much be obsolete. Whether |
| 3) Helmet and Pads (make sure they are all strapped | | | | your turning around corners down your street or |
| up) | | | | carving along the boardwalk, turning is one of, if not |
| Once all of these items are checked of the list the | | | | the most important fundamental of skateboarding. |
| Lesson is ready to begin. | | | | Turning can be done in two different ways: |
| The majority of my students are between the ages | | | | 1)Leaning |
| of 7 and 13 years old and have been skateboarding | | | | 2)Kick-Turn |
| for only a few months so everything is still pretty | | | | Leaning into your turns is when you put your body |
| brand new. Most of my students can only stand on | | | | weight on certain parts of the board to allow the |
| the board and thats pretty much it. So to be a | | | | trucks and the board to turn in the desired location. |
| successful teacher you have to break down the key | | | | You can turn frontside or backside, but backside is |
| elements in skateboarding and focus on them one by | | | | usually the most dominant of the turns. The |
| one until you can move forward and advance to the | | | | difference between the two are found in the words, |
| next level of instruction. | | | | frontside is when you front-side is leaning in to the |
| First Level of Instruction (Groms) | | | | turn and vice-versa. The lean turn is the most |
| PUSH | | | | moderate turning method of the two and is used to |
| The first thing you'll need to learn if you want to | | | | turn around mellow corners and to get that surfing |
| skateboard is how to move or push while on the | | | | the sidewalk feeling. |
| skateboard. Proper feet placement is critical and this | | | | Kick-turns are when you turn by lifting your front |
| should be one of the most highly pushed elements of | | | | truck of the ground and maneuver the direction you |
| pushing because where you put your feet affects so | | | | want, (frontside or backside) depending on where |
| much of how your skateboard will react with the | | | | your body weight is shifted. This is the method of |
| weight of your body. Proper feet placement are | | | | turning you will be using 90 percent of the time and |
| front foot on the front bolts and back foot behind | | | | this is also the way you will be turning while |
| the back bolts. (if you done know if your student is | | | | skateboarding on ramps and on many obstacles |
| goofy or regular just push him back and forth and | | | | when you become a little more advanced. |
| see which way is most comfortable for them). Once | | | | Water Breaks |
| the stance and foot placement is established you can | | | | Make sure you take at least 3 water breaks in a |
| begin teaching them how to push. Always push with | | | | One-Hour lesson to keep you and the student |
| the back foot, not the front which is commonly | | | | hydrated and well rested so you don't pull any |
| reffered to as "MONGO" and should be fixed ASAP if | | | | muscles or tired the student out. Remember that |
| the student pushes this way. The proper way to | | | | when skateboarding safety takes precedent over |
| push is having the front foot turn from a slight angle | | | | everything else. You can take the water breaks after |
| on the front bolts to a 90 degree angle perpendicular | | | | every topic eg. |
| with the board (i tell the students its like squashing a | | | | (Push---WB-----Stop---WB----Turn----WB). |
| bug, the motion with the front part of your feet is | | | | Homework |
| similar). When the front foot and leg is comfortable | | | | Once you have finished your lesson, give the student |
| on the board (IT will bare most the weight while | | | | a few things to work on and let them understand |
| pushing) you can then take a few pushes. Make sure | | | | that they cannot become better at skateboarding |
| the pushes with your push foot start next to your | | | | just because the are receiving skate lessons, they |
| front foot and push through until the push foot is | | | | need to understand that how much they practice |
| towards the back of the board. After about 2 or 3 | | | | directly reflects on their progression and let them |
| pushes the student will have to put their foot back | | | | know how many hours you put in on the board to |
| on the board and turn their front foot back in the | | | | get were you are today. I have a few routines I |
| position it was in while riding. That's pretty much how | | | | leave my students with to practice while I'm gone |
| you would explain the pushing part of skateboarding. | | | | and after about the fifth lesson, the improvement |
| Now you are moving pretty fast and need to stop... | | | | that is seen is remarkable. |