Penny boards have been rising in popularity in the last few years, especially among teenagers. These small, plastic boards were primarily designed to be an easy method of transportation, but some skateboarders found out that you can also perform tricks on them. It can be quite challenging, but it can be done.
Here are some popular tricks that you can learn using 27” penny boards:
The Ollie
This trick is one of the easiest to perform and the first one that every beginner must master. When you can perform the ollie properly, you will improve your control and movement and will be able to learn more advanced tricks faster.
To execute an ollie, you must leap up with your board and land standing on your board.Here are the steps on how to do it properly:
Step 1: Stand on the penny board with one foot a little bit off center and the other foot on the tail of the board.
Step 2: Crouch down. Make sure you balance properly on the board and keep your shoulders in line with your feet.
Step 3: Perform the jump. Start off with shifting your weight to the foot at the back, then kick down the tail of your board. While in the air, your knees should touch your chest and your front foot should slide up the front of the board.
Step 4: While in mid-air, prepare your board for landing. Make sure that the front of the board is not sticking up. Use your foot in front to do this.
Step 5: Try to land with both feet at the same time. Position your feet near their respective trucks. Landing with the nose first might break your board, so avoid doing this.
The ollie can be done while you are stationary, but most skaters say that it is easier when you are moving. It is a great trick that you can use to jump over tiny obstacles on the road, like trash and pebbles.
The Manual
The manual on a penny board is like a wheelie on a bicycle. It involves balancing on the tail of the board while rolling along the street with the front of the board raised. It looks easy, but it takes a lot of practice to master.
Here are the steps in performing a manual:
Step 1: Ride your board and maintain a speed you are comfortable in.
Step 2: Slowly lift the front of your board by carefully transferring your weight to the foot at the back. Don’t remove your foot in front, just let it rest there and allow it to exert less pressure on the board.
This trick is one of the favorites of skateboarders because it is really easy to do when you master it. It looks awesome, too.
The Caveman
The caveman is basically just a cool way to get on your skateboard. Normally, you get on your board by putting it on the ground then stepping on it. When doing the caveman, you get on your board before it hits the ground.
Here are the steps on how you can do that:
Step 1: Hold your board up by the nose using your hand. Your four fingers should be under the board and your thumb on top.
Step 2: Swing your skateboard in front of you, then drop it.
Step 3: As it falls, jump onto it with both feet at the same time. Keep your balance as your skateboard moves along the street.
If you are just starting to learn how to do the caveman, it is best to do it on a soft surface – like a carpet or a grassy patch of land. This will prevent you from getting bruised if you don’t jump properly or fail to keep your balance as you start rolling.
Some safety precautions
When practicing these tricks on your penny board, don’t forget to wear the right safety gears. That includes your helmet, elbow guards, and knee guards.It would be best if you invest in high-quality gears, as they can protect you better. If possible, you should also practice with a person who already knows how to do these tricks on a penny board, so he or she can help you do it properly to avoid injuries.