How to
Ollie
The short answer
An ollie is a no-handed jump where the board stays under your feet. Put the ball of your back foot on the tail and your front foot flat just behind the front bolts. Pop the tail straight down, then slide the side of your front foot up toward the nose to level the board out in the air before you land.
In Skate AI's data, 58% of 232 filmed ollie tries landed. See trick landing rates →
Ball of the back foot in the middle of the tail. Front foot straight across the board just behind the front bolts. Pop straight down, then drag the side of the front shoe up to the nose.
Step by step
Land your
first Ollie.
Each step is a part of the trick Skate AI scores when you film a try.
- 01
Set up
Ball of your back foot in the middle of the tail. Front foot straight across the board, just behind the front bolts.
- 02
Pop
Snap the tail straight down off the ball of your back foot. Don't lean back, just pop and let your legs extend.
- 03
Slide
As the board rises, drag the side of your front shoe up toward the nose to keep it moving with you.
- 04
Level
Pull your back foot up to meet the tail so the board levels out under you in the air.
- 05
Land
Land with knees bent, feet over the bolts, and roll away.
Troubleshooting
Why you're not
landing it.
The board shoots out in front of you
- Why
- You're sliding your front foot forward instead of up, pushing the nose away.
- Fix
- Drag your foot straight up the grip tape, not forward.
The tail scrapes and the nose barely lifts
- Why
- You're popping too softly or leaning back instead of snapping down.
- Fix
- Snap the tail down hard and let your legs do the lifting, not your upper body.
The board stays crooked or tilted in the air
- Why
- Your back foot isn't coming up to meet the tail.
- Fix
- Bring your back foot up right after the pop so both ends level out.
You land and the tail smacks down hard
- Why
- You caught it nose-heavy, without your back foot underneath you.
- Fix
- Catch it with both feet over the bolts before you land.
Drill10 ollies on flat ground, aiming to land with both feet over the bolts each time before you try rolling.
Not sure which one is yours? Film a try with Skate AI and it names the one fix that matters most.
Still not
landing it?
Film your ollie. Skate AI shows you which part went wrong and the one fix for your next try.
On a computer? Point your iPhone camera here.
FAQ
Ollie
FAQ
How long does it take to learn an ollie?
It varies a lot by how often you skate, but most people need several weeks of regular practice. Stay on flat ground until the pop and slide feel automatic.
How do I ollie higher?
Crouch lower before you pop, snap the tail down quicker, and jump up hard, pulling both knees toward your chest so the board has room to rise. The front foot slide only levels the board; the height comes from the pop and the jump.
Do I need to be moving to ollie?
No. Learn it standing still first, then add rolling speed once the pop and slide are consistent.
Why does my board flip out sideways?
Your front foot is dragging at an angle instead of straight up the board. Keep the slide running parallel to the grip tape's centerline.
Why can't I do an ollie?
Usually one of three things: you pop and slide at different moments, your front foot slides forward instead of up, or you lean back as you pop. Film one try from the side and check it against the steps above.
Why is it called an ollie?
It's named after Alan "Ollie" Gelfand, who did the first ones on transition in the late 1970s. Rodney Mullen later worked out the flat-ground version that every street trick builds on.