# How to Switch Ollie

> A switch ollie is a regular ollie done in your opposite stance, with your usual front foot now on the tail. A step-by-step guide from Skate AI (getskateai.com).

Canonical: https://getskateai.com/tricks/switch-ollie
Last updated: 2026-10-19

Flat ground · Level 3 of 5 · Learn first: [Ollie](https://getskateai.com/tricks/ollie)

## The short answer

A switch ollie is a regular ollie done in your opposite stance, with your usual front foot now on the tail. The pop and slide are identical to a normal ollie, just mirrored: pop off the ball of what's now your back foot, then slide your new front foot up toward the nose. Most of the difficulty is getting comfortable rolling switch at all.

## Three things to remember

1. Get comfortable just rolling switch first
2. Same pop and slide as a normal ollie
3. Commit, don't hesitate on the pop

## Setup

Same placement as an ollie, with your feet swapped: your usual front foot is now on the tail.

## Step by step

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

1. **Roll switch:** Get comfortable rolling and cruising in your opposite stance before you try popping anything.
2. **Set up:** Same foot placement as a normal ollie, mirrored. Your usual front foot is now on the tail, your usual back foot is up near the front bolts.
3. **Pop:** Pop straight down off the ball of your new back foot, exactly like a regular ollie.
4. **Slide:** Slide your new front foot up toward the nose as the board rises.
5. **Land:** Catch it with both feet over the bolts and keep rolling switch.

## Troubleshooting

### You can't even balance rolling switch

**Why:** You haven't spent enough time just cruising in the opposite stance.

**Fix:** Skip the pop for now and log rolling time switch until it feels normal.

### The pop is weak compared to your regular ollie

**Why:** You're hesitating and not committing your weight into the tail.

**Fix:** Pop it exactly as hard as your normal ollie. Hesitation kills the pop more than the unfamiliar stance does.

### Your front foot slide goes crooked

**Why:** You're thinking too hard about the mirrored motion and steering it off line.

**Fix:** Slide straight up the grip tape, the same line you already use regularly.

### You catch it off balance and step off

**Why:** You're not used to reading the board's position switch.

**Fix:** Practice popping small and landing on flat ground before adding any speed.

## Drill

Spend a full session just rolling switch, then 10 switch ollies on flat ground once cruising feels natural.

## FAQ

### How long does it take to learn a switch ollie?

Plan on it taking noticeably longer than your first regular ollie, often weeks, mostly because rolling switch itself takes time to feel normal.

### Is switch the same as fakie?

No. Fakie means rolling backwards in your normal stance. Switch means riding forward with your feet in the opposite stance.

### Why does switch feel so much harder than regular?

Your body has far less practice balancing and reacting in that stance, even though the mechanics of the trick are identical.

### Should I learn switch ollies before switch flip tricks?

Yes. A comfortable switch ollie is the base every switch flip trick builds on.

## What to learn next

- Learn first: [Ollie](https://getskateai.com/tricks/ollie)
- Next: [Switch Kickflip](https://getskateai.com/tricks/switch-kickflip)
- Next: [Switch Heelflip](https://getskateai.com/tricks/switch-heelflip)

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

## Related

- [Fakie vs switch vs nollie](https://getskateai.com/fakie-vs-switch-vs-nollie)
- [Intermediate tricks, easiest to hardest](https://getskateai.com/intermediate-skateboard-tricks)
- [All 64 trick guides](https://getskateai.com/tricks)