180
A half-turn. In an ollie 180, your body and board turn 180 degrees together.
Understand the basics of tricksUnderstand more to skate better
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Unsure about a word? Find a simple definition, then tips to take it further. Equipment, stances, tricks, skateparks and skate culture: start with what you want to understand.
Discover the Academy127 words to explore
A word, then practice0-9
360
One complete turn. The trick's name specifies whether the rotation involves your body and board or just the board.
Understand the basics of tricks360 flip
A trick combining a kickflip and a 360-degree shove-it. Also called a tre flip.
Understand the basics of tricks5-0 grind
A grind on the back truck, with the front truck raised above the obstacle.
Understand the basics of tricks50-50 grind
A grind with both trucks resting on the ledge or rail.
Understand the basics of tricksA
Air
A trick performed off the riding surface, particularly above the lip of a ramp or bowl.
Understand the basics of tricksAmateur / AM
On a brand’s team, a sponsored skater who does not yet have pro status. The word amateur does not necessarily mean beginner.
Discover the Old Skullz spiritFoot placement
Where your feet contact the board. They help you stay balanced and steer your skateboard.
Revisit the first cuesAxle
The metal rod that passes through the truck’s hanger and holds a wheel at each end.
Understand the equipmentAxle stall
A balanced stop with both trucks resting on the coping before dropping back into the transition.
Understand the basics of tricksB
Backside
When rotating while travelling forwards, your back turns towards the direction of travel first. On an obstacle, the term describes approaching it with your back facing it.
Understand the basics of tricksBail
Abort an attempt by stepping off the board instead of trying to stay on it until the end.
Find your bearings at the skateparkBank
A sloping surface that is straight, with no transition curve.
Find your bearings at the skateparkBaseplate
The truck’s baseplate: the part attached to the underside of the deck with mounting bolts.
Understand the equipmentBigspin
A trick combining a 360-degree shove-it and a half-turn of the body in the same direction.
Understand the basics of tricksBluntstall
A stop at the top of a transition, with the tail resting on the coping and the back wheels above it.
Understand the basics of tricksBoardslide
A slide with the middle of the deck resting on the obstacle and the board positioned across it.
Understand the basics of tricksBody varial
A body rotation while the board keeps moving in the same direction. Your feet then land back on the deck.
Understand the basics of tricksBoneless
A trick where the front foot pushes off the ground while one hand holds the board, before stepping back onto it.
Understand the basics of tricksBowl
A sunken area with curved walls, inspired by swimming pools, in which you link riding lines.
Find your bearings at the skatepark
Bushings
The truck bushings. They compress when you lean the board and help determine how it turns.
Understand the equipmentC
Caballerial
A 360 performed in fakie, with the body and board rotating together. The name comes from Steve Caballero.
Understand the basics of tricksCarving
Link turns by leaning the board and directing your weight, with the wheels staying on the ground.
Find your bearings at the skateparkCatch
The moment your feet reconnect with the board in the air and stop its rotation before landing.
Understand the basics of tricksClean
A word for a cleanly landed trick, with a controlled landing and a smooth roll-away.
Discover the Old Skullz spiritConcave
The curve across the deck’s width: its edges rise above the centre.
Understand the equipmentCoping
The lip at the top of a skatepark transition, often made of metal or stone.
Find your bearings at the skateparkCrooked grind
A grind on the front truck, with the board diagonal to the obstacle and the nose angled towards the edge.
Understand the basics of tricksCruiser
A skateboard designed mainly for getting around and cruising. Its features vary by model.
Understand the equipment
Curb
A kerb or small ledge used for grinds and slides. At skateparks, the term often refers to a low obstacle.
Find your bearings at the skateparkD
Deck / board
The part you stand on. The trucks are attached underneath it.
Understand the equipmentDIY
Short for Do It Yourself. In skateboarding, it refers especially to spots and obstacles built by skaters themselves.
Discover the Old Skullz spiritDouble flip
A kickflip in which the board makes two complete rotations on its longitudinal axis.
Understand the basics of tricksDrop-in
Entering a transition from its top edge by tipping the board down the slope.
Understand the basics of tricksDurometer
A hardness measurement used for wheels and bushings, among other things. The letter indicates the scale: A or B, for example.
Understand the equipmentF
Fakie
Ride backwards while keeping your usual stance on the board: the tail points in the direction of travel.
Revisit the first cuesFakie ollie
An ollie initiated with your usual back foot while riding fakie.
Understand the basics of tricksFeeble grind
A grind on the back truck, with the front truck passing to the far side of the obstacle and the nose lower.
Understand the basics of tricksFlatground
A level surface. ‘Working on a trick on flat’ means practising it on flat ground, without obstacles.
Find your bearings at the skateparkFlick
The foot movement that starts the board’s flip, particularly as the front foot flicks off in a kickflip.
Understand the basics of tricksFlip
A rotation of the board on its longitudinal axis. The kickflip and heelflip are two examples.
Understand the basics of tricksFlow
The fluidity of a session, a line or a style: movements flow continuously into one another.
Discover the Old Skullz spiritFootbrake
Foot braking: one foot stays on the board while the other gradually drags against the ground.
Find your bearings at the skateparkFreestyle
A style focused on balance tricks, rotations and sequences performed mainly on flat ground.
Find your bearings at the skateparkFrontside
When rotating while travelling forwards, your chest turns towards the direction of travel first. On an obstacle, the term describes approaching it face-on.
Understand the basics of tricksG
Gap
A space to clear between two landing areas or levels: a gap, steps or a distance.
Find your bearings at the skateparkGoofy
Roll with the right foot at the front of the board. The left foot is at the back.
Revisit the first cuesGrab
Grabbing part of the board with one hand during a trick. The name depends on the grab.
Understand the basics of tricksGrind
Slide along an obstacle supported on one or both trucks, as distinct from a slide on the deck.
Understand the basics of tricksGrip tape
The rough material stuck to the top of the deck that helps your shoes grip the board.
Understand the equipmentH
Half cab
A half-turn in fakie with your body and board. It’s half a caballerial.
Understand the basics of tricksHalf-pipe
A ramp made of two facing transitions, usually joined by a flat section.
Find your bearings at the skatepark
Handrail
A handrail, often along a staircase, used as an obstacle for some grinds or slides.
Find your bearings at the skateparkHanger
The moving part of the truck that holds the wheel axle. It is the part used for grinds.
Understand the equipmentHardflip
A trick combining a frontside shove-it and a kickflip.
Understand the basics of tricksHeelflip
A trick in which the board flips in the opposite direction to a kickflip, using the heel.
Understand the basics of tricksHippie jump
The skater jumps over an obstacle while the board rolls underneath, then lands back on the board.
Understand the basics of tricksI
Impossible
A trick in which the board rotates almost vertically around the back foot, which guides its movement.
Understand the basics of tricksIndy grab
Grab the toe-side edge between the trucks with your back hand during a trick.
Understand the basics of tricksInward heelflip
A trick combining a backside shove-it and a heelflip.
Understand the basics of tricksK
Kickflip
A trick in which the board rotates around its lengthwise axis as the front foot flicks outward.
Understand the basics of tricksKickturn
A change of direction by rotating on the rear wheels, after slightly lifting the front wheels.
Understand the basics of tricks
Kingpin
The large bolt connecting the hanger and bushings to the truck baseplate. Its nut is used to adjust the bushings.
Understand the equipmentL
Ledge
An elongated edge or block used in particular for grinds and slides.
Find your bearings at the skateparkLine / line
A sequence of lines and tricks linked while riding, without stopping between elements.
Find your bearings at the skateparkLipslide
A slide on the middle of the deck, like a boardslide, but with the back truck passing over the obstacle on entry.
Understand the basics of tricksM
Manual
Ride balanced on the two back wheels, keeping the nose raised and the tail off the ground.
Understand the basics of tricksModule
A feature built for skating: a bank, transition, rail, ledge or other obstacle.
Find your bearings at the skateparkMongo
A way to push with the front foot, while the back foot stays on the board.
Revisit the first cuesN
Nollie
A jump triggered by hitting the nose on the ground with the front foot, unlike the classic ollie.
Understand the basics of tricksNollie flip
A kickflip triggered from the nose, with the front foot in your usual position.
Understand the basics of tricksNose
The front end of the deck, distinct from the tail at the back.
Understand the equipmentNose manual
Riding balanced on the two front wheels, keeping the tail raised and the nose off the ground.
Understand the basics of tricksNosegrind
A grind on the front truck, with the back truck raised.
Understand the basics of tricksNoseslide
A slide supported on the nose, with the board positioned across the ledge.
Understand the basics of tricksO
Ollie
A jump with the board, without holding it with your hands, initiated by a pop of the tail.
Understand the basics of tricksP
Park
A discipline using bowls, curved ramps and transitions. In conversation, ‘park’ can also be short for ‘skatepark’.
Find your bearings at the skatepark
Pivot cup
The small cup in the truck's baseplate that holds the hanger pivot and guides its movement.
Understand the equipment
Bank
A flat, sloping surface, also called a bank. Its straight profile distinguishes it from a curved transition.
Find your bearings at the skateparkPop
Hitting one end of the deck against the ground to send the board into the air.
Understand the basics of tricksPop shove-it
A shove-it in which the board leaves the ground thanks to a pop. It rotates horizontally under the feet.
Understand the basics of tricksPowerslide
Making the wheels slide by turning the board across the direction of travel. It can be used to slow down.
Understand the basics of tricksPro skater
A skater recognised at professional level. On a brand's team, pro status often comes with a signature deck or product.
Discover the Old Skullz spiritPump / pumping
Create or maintain speed in transitions by coordinating shifts in weight and body position.
Find your bearings at the skateparkQ
Quarter-pipe
A transition connecting flat ground to a steeper section, usually topped with coping and a platform.
Find your bearings at the skateparkR
Rail
A bar used as an obstacle for some grinds or slides. It can be horizontal or inclined.
Find your bearings at the skateparkRegular
Riding with your left foot at the front of the board and your right foot at the back.
Revisit the first cuesLand
Get the board back under your feet at the end of a trick and manage to keep rolling.
Understand the basics of tricksRisers
Pads placed between the trucks and the deck to increase the gap between them, particularly depending on wheel size.
Understand the equipmentRock to Fakie
Move the front wheels over the coping, rest the middle of the deck on the lip, then roll back fakie into the transition.
Understand the basics of tricksRock’n’roll
On a transition, rest the middle of the deck on the coping, then turn halfway around to return down the ramp.
Understand the basics of tricks
Wheels
The four elements that roll in contact with the ground. Their diameter, hardness and shape influence sensations.
Understand the equipment
Bearings
The parts fitted into the wheels to let them rotate around the truck axles.
Understand the equipmentRun
A run in which you link lines and tricks together. In competition, its duration depends on the format.
Find your bearings at the skateparkS
Scoop
The sweeping foot movement that helps rotate the board horizontally, for example in a 360 flip.
Understand the basics of tricksSession
A moment dedicated to riding: alone, with other skaters or with a coach.
Find your bearings at the skateparkSet-up
All the parts that make up your skateboard and their adjustments: deck, trucks, wheels and other components.
Understand the equipmentShape
The deck’s overall shape: outline, width, nose and tail are among its distinguishing features.
Understand the equipmentShove-it
A figure where the board rotates horizontally under the feet, without the body doing the same rotation.
Understand the basics of tricksComplete skateboard
An assembled skateboard with deck, grip tape, trucks, wheels, bearings and mounting hardware.
Understand the equipmentSkate part
A video segment mainly focused on one skater, featuring a selection of their tricks and lines.
Discover the Old Skullz spiritSkatepark
A place designed for skateboarding, with shared riding areas and obstacles.
Find your bearings at the skateparkSkatestopper
A fitting attached to a ledge or street furniture to prevent grinds and slides.
Find your bearings at the skateparkSketchy
A word for an unsteady landing or run, even if the skater manages to keep rolling.
Discover the Old Skullz spiritSlappy
An entry into a grind on a small ledge without a conventional ollie, by getting the trucks up onto the curb.
Understand the basics of tricksSlide
Sliding along an obstacle with part of the deck in contact. A boardslide is one example.
Understand the basics of tricksSmith Grind
A grind on the back truck, with the nose lower and the front truck offset towards the side you approached from.
Understand the basics of tricksSpine
An obstacle formed by two back-to-back transitions meeting at the top, without a wide platform between them.
Find your bearings at the skateparkSponsor
A brand or partner that supports a skater, team or event, with equipment, means or funding.
Discover the Old Skullz spiritSpot
A place to skateboard, purpose-built or otherwise. Check its access rules and local etiquette.
Find your bearings at the skateparkStall
A balanced stop on an obstacle or coping before rolling away, unlike a grind, which slides.
Understand the basics of tricksStance
Your usual stance on the board: regular or goofy. It refers in particular to which foot is at the front.
Revisit the first cuesSteeze
A word that combines style and ease: a way to skate that seems fluid and natural.
Discover the Old Skullz spiritStreet
A style using street-inspired obstacles: stairs, rails, benches, ledges or banks.
Find your bearings at the skateparkSwitch
Ride or perform a trick in the opposite stance to your usual one: regular if you’re goofy, and vice versa.
Revisit the first cuesT
Tail
The back end of the deck, used in particular to initiate an ollie.
Understand the equipmentTailslide
A slide on the tail, with the board positioned across the ledge.
Understand the basics of tricksThrasher
An American skateboarding magazine and media outlet, also known for its videos and logo. Its first issue dates from 1981.
Discover the Old Skullz spiritTransition
The curved section that connects flat ground to a steeper slope, as in a bowl or ramp.
Find your bearings at the skateparkTrick
The English word commonly used for a skateboard trick.
Understand the basics of tricks
Trucks
The two metal assemblies under the deck. They hold the wheel axles and allow the board to turn.
Understand the equipmentV
Varial kickflip
A trick combining a 180-degree backside shove-it and a kickflip.
Understand the basics of tricksVert
Skating large transitions with a vertical section, particularly on certain ramps.
Find your bearings at the skatepark
Hardware
The bolts and nuts that attach the trucks to the deck.
Understand the equipmentW
Wax
Wax used on certain edges to facilitate the gliding of grinds or slides.
Understand the equipmentWheelbase
The deck’s wheelbase, usually measured between the two inner rows of bolts that attach the trucks.
Understand the equipmentWheelbite
A wheel touching the underside of the deck when the board leans, which can lock the wheel.
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