Mastering the Ollie on a Tech Deck: Step-by-Step Guide

The ollie is the fundamental trick in skateboarding, and mastering it on a Tech Deck requires precision, practice, and proper technique. While performing an ollie on a Tech Deck may seem challenging at first, breaking down the steps and practicing consistently will help you achieve this essential maneuver. Here’s a step-by-step guide to mastering the ollie on a Tech Deck:

1. Grip and Stance:
   • Place your index finger on the tail of the Tech Deck and your middle finger near the middle of the board’s underside.
   • Position your fingers diagonally across the deck, with your index finger angled slightly towards the center of the board and your middle finger parallel to the edge.
2. Preparation:
   • Bend your fingers slightly to create tension on the tail of the Tech Deck.
   • Shift your weight slightly backward to prepare for the pop.
3. Pop:
   • Quickly snap your index finger down and back while simultaneously lifting your middle finger upward.
   • The snap should be quick and controlled, generating upward force on the tail of the Tech Deck.
4. Slide:
   • As the tail pops up, slide your middle finger forward towards the nose of the board.
   • Keep the slide motion smooth and controlled, aiming to level out the board in mid-air.
5. Leveling Out:
   • As the board reaches its peak height, level it out by straightening your fingers and adjusting the angle of the board.
   • Focus on keeping the board parallel to the ground to achieve a clean ollie.
6. Landing:
   • Spot your landing and prepare to absorb the impact by bending your fingers slightly.
   • Aim to land with both the nose and tail of the Tech Deck touching the surface simultaneously.
7. Practice and Refinement:
   • Repeat the steps above consistently, focusing on fluidity, timing, and height.
   • Experiment with different finger positions, pressures, and timings to find what works best for you.
   • Film yourself performing ollies to analyze your technique and identify areas for improvement.
8. Progression:
   • Once you’ve mastered the basic ollie, challenge yourself to ollie over obstacles, onto rails, or into grinds.
   • Explore variations of the ollie, such as nollies (frontside ollies) and fakie ollies (ollies performed while riding backward).
9. Patience and Persistence:
   • Remember that mastering the ollie on a Tech Deck takes time and dedication.
   • Be patient with yourself and celebrate small victories along the way.

By following these steps and practicing consistently, you’ll gradually improve your ollie technique on a Tech Deck and unlock new possibilities for creative fingerboarding maneuvers.