Skateboarding Made Simple · Chapter 19 of 23
A nollie is an ollie popped off the nose instead of the tail. It feels backwards at first, which is exactly why it unlocks a whole new set of tricks.
In This Chapter
- Where your feet go
- Popping off the nose
- Leveling with your back foot
- What nollies lead to
Gear Check
Board, flat skate shoes and a solid ollie.
Step by Step
- Front foot. Ball of your front foot on the nose.
- Back foot. Just behind the back bolts, angled slightly.
- Crouch. Bend your knees and shift your weight a little forward over the nose.
- Pop. Snap the nose down hard with your front foot.
- Level. Slide your back foot up toward the tail to level the board.
- Land. Pull your knees up and land with both feet over the bolts.
Tip
Lean slightly forward over the nose before you pop. Most nollie problems come from keeping your weight on your back foot.
Remember
Everything is mirrored from the ollie: pop with your front foot, level with your back foot.
Warning
Popping off the very tip of the nose can shoot the board out. Keep your front foot on the nose, not hanging off it.
Common Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)
- Board stays on the ground. Snap the nose harder and shift your weight forward.
- Only the nose comes up. Drag your back foot up toward the tail to level it.
- Landing off the bolts. Keep your shoulders lined up with the board.
Skate Nerd Stuff
Nollie is short for "nose ollie." Once it clicks, you can learn nollie shove-its, nollie flips and nollie heelflips.
Your Practice Plan
- Nollie standing still on grass or carpet.
- Nollie rolling slowly.
- Nollie over a crack or line.
Chapter 20: How to Varial Kickflip →
Need gear or a hand dialing it in? Stop by the shop inside the Carson City Mall or shop decks online.