# How to Drop In on a Skateboard

> A drop in is how you start riding a ramp from the top, tipping the board forward off the coping instead of rolling in from flat ground. A step-by-step guide from Skate AI (getskateai.com).

Canonical: https://getskateai.com/tricks/drop-in
Last updated: 2026-10-19

Transition · Level 1 of 5

## The short answer

A drop in is how you start riding a ramp from the top, tipping the board forward off the coping instead of rolling in from flat ground. Set your tail on the coping with your back foot and all your weight there, front foot on the front bolts with no weight yet. Stomp the front foot down and lean forward to ride away.

## Where your feet go

- **Regular:** Tail on the coping with your back foot on it and all your weight there. Front foot on the front bolts, parallel to your back foot, no weight yet. Stomp the front foot down and lean forward.
- **Goofy:** Tail on the coping with your back foot on it and all your weight there. Front foot on the front bolts, parallel to your back foot, no weight yet. Stomp the front foot down and lean forward.

## Step by step

Each step is a part of the trick Skate AI scores when you film a try.

1. **Set tail:** Stand at the top of the ramp with your tail resting on the coping and your back foot centered on it, taking your full weight.
2. **Front foot:** Set your front foot on the front bolts, parallel to your back foot, without putting weight on it yet.
3. **Commit:** Stomp your front foot down onto the board in one confident motion, no hesitation.
4. **Lean forward:** Lean your shoulders and hips forward over the nose as the board tips down into the ramp.
5. **Ride away:** Keep your knees bent and weight centered as you roll down the transition.

## Troubleshooting

### You catch the nose and stop short

**Why:** You leaned forward without stomping the front foot down first.

**Fix:** Commit the front foot down hard before you shift your weight forward.

### You sit back and the tail skids out

**Why:** Your weight stayed on the tail instead of moving forward with the board.

**Fix:** Once you stomp down, keep leaning forward through the whole drop.

### You hesitate at the top and back out

**Why:** Committing to the drop before you're ready feels scary, so you pull back at the last second.

**Fix:** Practice the front-foot stomp motion on flat ground first, then commit fully once you start.

### You land off balance and wobble at the bottom

**Why:** Your knees are locked straight instead of absorbing the transition.

**Fix:** Bend your knees more as you level out at the bottom of the ramp.

## Drill

Practice standing at the top of the ramp and stomping your front foot down without dropping in first, just to build the motion. Then commit on a small, mellow ramp.

## FAQ

### How do I stop being scared to drop in?

Start on the smallest ramp available and practice the front-foot stomp on flat ground first so the motion feels automatic. Most falls come from hesitating halfway, so commit fully once you start.

### Do I need pads to learn drop in?

Pads and a helmet make the learning curve less painful and help you commit without hesitating, especially on your first few tries.

### Why do I keep catching my nose?

You're leaning forward before your front foot is stomped down and in control. Get the front foot planted first, then lean.

### What size ramp should I learn on?

A small mini ramp, waist height or lower, with mellow transition. Taller ramps and steeper transitions get much harder to drop in on.

## What to learn next

- Next: [Frontside Kickturn](https://getskateai.com/tricks/frontside-kickturn)
- Next: [Backside Kickturn](https://getskateai.com/tricks/backside-kickturn)
- Next: [Rock to Fakie](https://getskateai.com/tricks/rock-to-fakie)

App: [Skate AI: Kickflip Ollie Coach on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/id6814983538)

## Related

- [Foot placement chart for every flat trick](https://getskateai.com/skateboard-foot-placement-chart)
- [All 64 trick guides](https://getskateai.com/tricks)