Foundation trick
How to ollie on a fingerboard
The ollie is the first trick most fingerboarders learn. Pop the tail so the board leaves the table, slide your index finger toward the nose to level it in the air, then land all four wheels together. Almost every flip or spin after this starts from that same motion.
Step by step
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Set your fingers
Middle finger on the tail, index just behind the front bolts
Use two fingers on your dominant hand. Rest your middle finger in the tail pocket, where the wood kicks up. Place your index finger on the deck, just behind the front truck bolts. Tuck the other fingers away. Don't pinch or lift the board with your thumb.
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Pop the tail
Snap the tail down so it hits the table
Press the tail down in a short, sharp snap with your middle finger, so the tail hits the table and rebounds. This is a pop, not a slow press. After the pop, the nose rises on its own. Keep your index finger lightly on the deck, ready to slide.
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Slide toward the nose
Slide your index finger toward the nose to level the board
The moment the tail hits and the nose starts to rise, slide your index finger forward toward the nose. That slide is what levels the board in the air. Don't pause between the pop and the slide — treat them as one motion.
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Level the board
Keep both fingers on the deck as the board comes level
While the board is in the air, both fingers stay on the grip. Don't lift them off. Too little slide and the tail stays high; too much and the board can flip over the nose.
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Catch
Get your fingers over the bolts and catch the board
As the board starts to drop, place your fingers over the front and rear bolts and catch the deck on your fingertips. Don't slap it down.
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Land and roll away
All four wheels down, then roll away
Land all four wheels together and keep your fingers on the board as you roll forward. A clean ollie stays level on the way down, and you still have control of the board.
Common mistakes
- Pressing the tail too slowly — it has to be a short pop.
- Middle finger too far off the end of the tail, so it slips, or too far in, so the tail never hits the table.
- Lifting your index finger off the deck, which lets the board flip or fly away.
- Sliding too hard so the board flips forward, or not enough so the nose lands first.
- Using your thumb or extra fingers to lift the board, which kills a natural pop.
Session tips
- Practice finger placement first, without popping.
- Then practice the pop alone until the tail clearly hits the table, and only then add the slide.
- Keep your fingers relaxed — no death grip.
- The ollie is the base for other tricks. Take the time. Don't rush it.