How to ollie while moving

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Last updated: April 4, 2026

Quick Answer: To perform an ollie while moving, you need to replicate the stationary ollie motion but with added momentum. This involves timing your pop, slide, and leveling out the board as you glide forward, requiring practice to synchronize the movements with your speed.

Key Facts

The ollie is the fundamental trick in skateboarding, allowing you to jump with the board.
Mastering a stationary ollie is a prerequisite to successfully ollieing while moving.
The timing of the pop, slide, and leveling is crucial for a controlled moving ollie.
Starting with a slow rolling speed is recommended for beginners.
Consistent practice is key to improving the fluidity and height of your moving ollie.

What is an Ollie?

The ollie is the foundational trick in skateboarding, enabling a rider to jump into the air with the board attached to their feet. It's the gateway to almost all other aerial tricks and maneuvers. The basic principle involves popping the tail of the board off the ground and simultaneously sliding your front foot up the board towards the nose, leveling it out in mid-air before landing back on it.

Why Ollie While Moving?

While learning to ollie while stationary is essential for understanding the mechanics, the true utility of the ollie comes into play when moving. It allows skateboarders to overcome obstacles like cracks, curbs, and small ledges, or to simply add style and flow to their riding. The ability to ollie while rolling opens up a whole new dimension of skateboarding, transforming it from a ground-based activity to one with aerial capabilities.

Prerequisites: Mastering the Stationary Ollie

Before attempting to ollie while moving, it is crucial to have a solid understanding and consistent execution of the stationary ollie. This means being able to pop the tail firmly, slide your front foot up smoothly, and level the board in the air to land back on it consistently. If you are still struggling with the basic ollie on flat ground, taking the time to perfect it will make the transition to rolling much easier and less frustrating.

Steps to Performing a Moving Ollie

Executing an ollie while moving involves integrating the fundamental ollie motion with the momentum of your ride. Here's a breakdown of the steps:

Starting Speed: Begin with a slow, comfortable rolling speed. Too fast, and you'll be overwhelmed; too slow, and the board might not have enough momentum to level out properly. Find a speed where you feel balanced and in control.
Foot Placement: Place your back foot on the tail of the board, similar to the stationary ollie, with the ball of your foot on the edge. Your front foot should be positioned slightly behind the front bolts, angled slightly towards the nose. This placement allows for a good balance of pop and slide.
The Pop: As you feel the board rolling evenly beneath you, bend your knees and prepare to jump. Quickly and forcefully snap the tail of the board down onto the ground. This is your 'pop'. The timing of this pop is critical – it needs to happen just as the board is about to leave the ground.
The Slide: Immediately after popping the tail, begin to slide the side of your front foot (specifically, the area just behind your toes) up the griptape towards the nose of the board. This motion helps to lift the nose of the board and level it out in the air. Imagine 'pulling' the board up with your front foot.
Leveling Out: As your front foot reaches the nose, continue to push it forward slightly. This action, combined with the upward momentum from the pop and slide, should cause the board to level out parallel to the ground in mid-air. At this point, you might need to slightly adjust your ankles to keep the board under you.
The Landing: As the board begins to descend, bend your knees to absorb the impact. Aim to land with both feet centered over the bolts, maintaining your balance. The goal is to land smoothly and continue rolling without losing control.

Common Challenges and Tips

Board Doesn't Level Out: This is often due to an insufficient front foot slide or the pop not being timed correctly. Ensure you're sliding your foot up with conviction and that the pop is sharp. Also, try moving your front foot slightly further back.

Board Flips or Turns Sideways: This can happen if your pop is uneven or your front foot slide is not straight up the board. Focus on a straight, forceful pop and a direct upward slide.

Not Getting Enough Height: Proper knee bend before the pop and a full extension during the jump are key. Also, ensure your front foot is sliding all the way up to the nose.

Fear of Falling: Start on a very smooth, flat surface with minimal speed. Wear protective gear, including a helmet, knee pads, and elbow pads. Practice falling safely by learning to roll out of potential tumbles.

Practice Makes Perfect

Learning to ollie while moving takes time and repetition. Don't get discouraged if you don't get it right away. Skateboarding is a journey of persistence. Spend dedicated time practicing the moving ollie, focusing on one aspect at a time if necessary. Gradually increase your speed as you become more comfortable. With consistent effort, you'll find the coordination and timing will improve, allowing you to ollie over obstacles and enhance your skateboarding skills.