Areeb Teaching Himself To Skateboard

Can You Teach Yourself to Skateboard? [My Son Did!]

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Yes, you can teach yourself to skateboard. Skateboarding is a skill that can be learned through practice and patience. There are many resources available, such as instructional videos, tutorials, and beginner’s guides, which can help you get started and provide tips and advice. 

What is most important is to start slowly, learn how to stand and push, wear protective gear, and always practice safety measures while skateboarding. 

My Son Areeb Taught Himself to Skateboard

I have seen my son Areeb, who taught himself to skateboard at the age of 9. For the first 10 to 15 days, he fell frequently, but he did not stop himself. He stood again and tried. Initially, he pushed himself on the skateboard very slowly. He felt off quickly, got up, and pushed again. By doing this, he taught himself how to skateboard. 

As a beginner, he picked a penny board. But, you can try with other beginner boards you like.

However, as a father, I encouraged him and told him that he could do what he did in cycling, which he also learned on his own.

So, based on my experiences, here below are the topics you need to follow to teach yourself to skateboard.

Did You Know?

According to a report by the National Sporting Goods Association, skateboarding is the third most popular sport among children aged 7 to 17 in the United States, after basketball and soccer.

Regular Practice in Skateboarding

Regular practice is the most important thing to learning skateboarding by yourself because it allows you to develop muscle memory, increase your balance and coordination, and perfect your techniques.

Skateboarding requires a combination of physical and mental skills, and the only way to improve these skills is through repetition and practice. By repeating the same movements and techniques over and over again, your muscles will start to memorize the movements, making them automatic and allowing you to perform them more easily and efficiently.

Practicing regularly also helps to increase your balance and coordination, which are essential skills in skateboarding. The more you practice, the more comfortable you will become on the board, and the more confident you will become in your abilities. This, in turn, will allow you to take on more challenging tricks and obstacles.

Additionally, practice is the best way to perfect your techniques. As you continue to practice, you will naturally identify areas that need improvement and be able to make small adjustments to your stance, turns, and other techniques. With time and practice, these small adjustments will add up, and you will become a more skilled and proficient skateboarder.

In short, regular practice is the most important thing to learn skateboarding by yourself because it allows you to develop muscle memory, improve your balance and coordination, and perfect your techniques. So, if you’re looking to become a successful skateboarder, be sure to make practice a regular part of your routine.

Basics of Skateboarding to Learn by Yourself

Skateboarding is an exciting and challenging sport that requires practice, patience, and perseverance. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced skateboarder, learning the basics of the sport is essential to improving your skills and avoiding injuries. In this blog post, we’ll go over the basics of skateboarding, including how to stand, turn, push off, and stop by yourself.

How to Stand by Yourself

The first step in learning to skateboard is to find the proper stance. The proper stance is crucial to maintaining balance and control while you’re riding.

Start by standing on the board with both feet parallel and your feet shoulder-width apart. Your front foot should be positioned near the front truck bolts, and your back foot should be positioned near the center of the board. This is known as the “regular” stance, and it’s the most common stance for skateboarders.

How to Turn by Yourself

Once you’ve mastered the proper stance, it’s time to learn how to turn. Turning is an essential part of skateboarding and allows you to navigate around obstacles, change directions, and perform tricks. To turn, you’ll need to shift your weight from one foot to the other. To turn left, for example, you’ll need to shift your weight onto your left foot, and to turn right, you’ll need to shift your weight onto your right foot.

How to Push Off by Yourself

Pushing off is how you get your skateboard moving. To push off, place one foot on the ground and use it to push off and get the board moving. Keep your other foot on the board and use it to maintain your balance. As you gain speed, you can place both feet on the board and start riding.

How to Stop by Yourself

Stopping is just as important as pushing off and turning. There are several ways to stop, but the most common method is to use the back foot to slow down the board and then place it on the ground. Another method is to jump off the board and land with both feet on the ground. It’s important to practice stopping regularly and to always be prepared for sudden stops.

Read Full Article: Learn Stopping on a Skateboard

Balancing on Skateboard

Balancing on a skateboard is a crucial skill to learn when you’re teaching yourself to skateboard. Here are some tips to help you learn how to balance:

  1. Start with a flat surface: When you’re first starting out, it’s best to practice on a flat, even surface such as a driveway or sidewalk. This will help you get a feel for the board and develop your balance without having to worry about obstacles or uneven terrain.
  2. Use your feet: Your feet play a key role in balancing on a skateboard. Keep your knees slightly bent, and shift your weight back and forth between your feet as you ride.
  3. Practice your stance: Finding the right stance on a skateboard is important for maintaining balance. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and positioned at a 45-degree angle to the board.
  4. Keep your eyes forward: Keep your eyes focused on where you’re going and not on the ground. This will help you maintain your balance and stay confident as you ride.
  5. Slow and steady: It’s important to start slowly when learning to balance on a skateboard. Practice riding at a slow pace and gradually build up speed as you gain confidence and improve your balance.

How to Get Motivated in Skateboarding

Staying motivated is a key factor in learning to skateboard by yourself, and understanding the key benefits of skateboarding can help to keep you motivated.

Set achievable goals: Having a clear goal in mind, such as learning a new trick or improving your overall riding ability, can help keep you motivated. Make sure your goals are realistic and achievable, and celebrate your successes along the way. Surely you need a long time to do better.

Surround yourself with supportive people: Skateboarding can be a lonely pursuit, but connecting with other skateboarders or finding a supportive community can help keep you motivated. Consider joining a local skateboarding club, attending skateboarding events, or connecting with other skateboarders online.

Keep track of your progress: Keeping a record of your progress can help you see how far you’ve come and provide a sense of accomplishment. You could keep a journal, take photos, or make videos of your rides.

Reward yourself: Celebrating your successes and rewarding yourself for your hard work can help keep you motivated. Consider setting aside some money for a new skateboard, deck, or gear to reward yourself for your achievements.

Take breaks: Skateboarding is a physically demanding sport, and it’s important to take breaks to avoid burnout. Take a day off from skateboarding to do something else you enjoy or to simply relax and recharge.

Learn Initial Techniques from Youtube Videos

Yes, you can teach yourself to skateboard by watching videos on YouTube. Watching instructional videos can be a great way to learn the basics of skateboarding, such as how to balance, push off, and turn, as well as more advanced tricks. There are many experienced skateboarders who upload tutorials and lessons on YouTube, and these can be an excellent resource for anyone looking to learn the sport.

Take Advice from Skateboard Instructors

Yes, you can teach yourself to skateboard and taking advice from instructors can be a valuable component of your learning process. While watching videos or reading articles can be helpful in providing a basic understanding of the sport, working with a real-life instructor can provide personalized feedback and guidance.

An experienced instructor can help you understand proper technique, provide tips for improving your skills, and help you avoid common mistakes. They can also offer you hands-on instruction and demonstrations, which can be much more helpful than simply watching videos or reading articles.

Things to Remember when Teaching yourself Skateboarding

When teaching yourself to skateboard, it’s important to avoid certain mistakes that could slow down your progress or put you in danger. Here are some things that you should avoid when learning to skateboard:

  1. Not wearing protective gear: Skateboarding can be a dangerous sport, and it’s important to wear the proper protective gear to reduce the risk of injury. This includes a helmet, elbow and knee pads, and wrist guards.
  2. Trying to learn too many tricks at once: It’s natural to want to learn as many tricks as possible, but it’s important to take things one step at a time. Focus on mastering one trick before moving on to the next one.
  3. Skateboarding in hazardous areas: Skateboarding in hazardous areas, such as busy roads, parking lots, or near sharp objects, can be dangerous and should be avoided. Always look for a safe and open area to practice your riding skills.
  4. Ignoring proper form: Good form is essential for skateboarding, and it’s important to avoid common mistakes such as leaning too far forward or standing too far back on the board. Take the time to learn the proper form and stick to it as you ride.
  5. Not stretching and warming up: Skateboarding is a physically demanding sport, and it’s important to warm up and stretch before riding to avoid injury. Take a few minutes to warm up your muscles and get your heart rate up before you start riding.
  6. Never be overconfident. When you learn one technique like standing on a skateboard or pushing slowly, never be over confident at this stage. This will hamper your further learning.
  7. There are some demerits of skateboarding as well. So, be careful about those issues.

Safety Tips When teaching yourself to skateboard:

  1. Wear protective gear: Always wear a helmet, knee and elbow pads, and wrist guards when skateboarding. This will help protect you from injury in case of a fall.
  2. Find a safe skateboarding area: Look for a safe and open area with smooth surfaces, such as a skate park or a large, flat surface without obstacles. Avoid busy roads, parking lots, and areas near sharp objects.
  3. Pay attention to your surroundings: Always be aware of your surroundings, including other skateboarders, pedestrians, and vehicles. Keep a safe distance from other people and objects, and avoid riding in crowded areas.
  4. Keep your skateboard in good condition: Regularly inspect your skateboard for damage, and replace any damaged parts as needed. This will help ensure that your skateboard is safe to ride and will reduce the risk of accidents.

By following these safety tips, you’ll be able to teach yourself to skateboard safely and effectively, and you’ll be able to enjoy the sport for years to come.

Conclusion

In conclusion, skateboarding is a fun and challenging sport that can be taught and learned with the right mindset and approach. With patience, persistence, and the right guidance, anyone can learn how to skateboard. 

Whether you’re a beginner or have some experience, the key to success is to practice regularly and stay motivated. By following the tips and advice outlined in this article, you’ll be able to teach yourself to skateboard, develop your skills, and enjoy the sport for years to come. So why not give it a try and see what you’re capable of?

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