3 Tips to Land Your Tricks from Chris Farris
USA Pro Rider Chris Farris shares crucial techniques that form the foundation of every park trick you want to master. Learn how to get good at skateboarding and build the confidence needed for progression.
USA Pro Rider Chris Farris hits the skatepark to share three crucial tips to start landing tricks consistently. These fundamental techniques form the foundation of every park trick you want to master, whether you're working on ollies, kickflips, or more advanced maneuvers. Understanding these principles is key to learning how to get good at skateboarding and building the confidence needed for progression.
Many skaters struggle with the same basic issues when attempting skate tricks - inconsistent landings, loss of control, and frustration when progress stalls. The solution often lies not in practicing harder, but in practicing smarter with proper technique. These insights from a professional rider will help you understand how to get better at skateboarding by focusing on the elements that truly matter.
Whether you're just starting your journey in learning how to skateboard better or you've been skating for years but hit a plateau, these three tips will provide fresh perspective and practical strategies to enhance your performance at the skatepark.
Watch Trick Tips from Chris Farris
In this exclusive tutorial, Chris breaks down the essential elements that separate skaters who consistently land their skate tricks from those who struggle with inconsistency. The demonstration provides visual examples of proper form and technique that will accelerate your understanding of how to get better at skating.
Tip 1: Master Your Stance and Balance
The foundation of all successful skate tricks begins with proper stance and balance. Many skaters overlook this fundamental element in their quest to learn how to get better at skateboarding, but without a solid foundation, advanced tricks become nearly impossible to land consistently.
Key Balance Techniques:
Center of Gravity Management
Keep your weight centered over the board rather than leaning too far forward or backward
Knee Flexion
Maintain slightly bent knees to absorb impact and maintain control
Foot Placement
Consistent foot positioning creates muscle memory for reliable trick execution
Upper Body Control
Learn to use your arms for balance without over-rotating your shoulders
Practice Drills for Better Balance:
Stationary Balancing
Practice balancing on your board without rolling
Manual Practice
Focus on weight distribution while doing manuals
Carving Turns
Carve gradual turns while maintaining controlled posture
Ollie Repetitions
Practice ollies while concentrating on landing position
Understanding how to skateboard better starts with recognizing that balance isn't just a physical skill - it's a conscious practice that requires continuous attention. As Chris demonstrates, professional riders maintain exceptional board control because they've mastered these fundamental balance principles that support all skate tricks.
Tip 2: Commit Fully to Every Attempt
One of the most common barriers skaters face when learning how to get better at skating is hesitation. Partial commitment leads to bailed tricks, falls, and frustration. Chris emphasizes that mental preparation is just as important as physical technique when attempting new skate tricks.
Overcoming Mental Barriers:
Visualization
Picture yourself successfully completing the trick before you attempt it
Progressive Commitment
Start with the motion without fully committing, then gradually increase your dedication to each attempt
Fear Management
Learn to distinguish between rational caution and irrational fear that hinders performance
Consistent Approach
Develop a pre-trick routine that prepares you mentally and physically
Building Confidence Through Progression:
Start Small
Begin with tricks well within your ability level to build success momentum
Gradual Difficulty
Gradually increase difficulty while maintaining full commitment to each attempt
Record Sessions
Film your sessions to analyze where hesitation creeps into your technique
Celebrate Victories
Celebrate small victories in commitment, not just successful landings
The journey to understanding how to get good at skateboarding requires developing what Chris calls "commitment muscle" - the ability to fully dedicate yourself to each attempt regardless of previous outcomes. This mental shift often produces faster improvement than physical practice alone.
Tip 3: Progressive Practice Methodology
Random, unstructured practice will only take you so far in your quest to master skate tricks. Chris introduces a systematic approach to practice that accelerates skill development and helps skaters understand how to get better at skateboarding through intelligent training.
Structured Practice Framework:
Foundation First
Never skip basic skills in pursuit of advanced tricks
Incremental Difficulty
Increase trick complexity in small, manageable steps
Focused Sessions
Dedicate specific practice time to individual elements rather than trying to improve everything at once
Quality Over Quantity
Five focused attempts yield better results than twenty distracted ones
Effective Practice Sessions:
Warm-up (10 minutes)
Basic riding, carving, and simple tricks to establish rhythm
Skill Development (20 minutes)
Focused work on one specific trick or technique
Application (15 minutes)
Incorporate new skills into lines and combinations
Cool-down (5 minutes)
Easy riding to reinforce muscle memory
Tracking Progress:
Skate Journal
Maintain notes on breakthroughs and persistent challenges
Film Sessions
Record regular sessions to visually track technical improvements
Set Goals
Establish specific, achievable goals for each week and month
Recognize Plateaus
Understand that plateaus are normal and temporary
Learning how to skateboard better isn't about spending more time at the skatepark - it's about using your time more effectively. This progressive methodology ensures continuous improvement while reducing the frustration that comes with unstructured practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get good at skateboarding?
Learning how to get good at skateboarding varies by individual, but with consistent practice (3-5 sessions weekly), most skaters see significant improvement in fundamental skate tricks within 3-6 months. Advanced tricks typically require 1-2 years of dedicated practice.
What's the most important factor in landing tricks consistently?
According to Chris, commitment and proper practice methodology outweigh natural talent. Understanding how to get better at skating involves recognizing that consistent landings come from mental preparation as much as physical technique.
I keep practicing but not improving - what am I doing wrong?
Plateaus are common when learning how to get better at skateboarding. The solution usually involves: analyzing your technique for subtle errors, breaking tricks down into smaller components, filming yourself to identify issues, and sometimes taking a short break to return with fresh perspective.
How can I overcome fear when attempting new tricks?
Fear management is crucial for skate tricks progression. Start with the trick motion on grass or carpet, use protective gear to build confidence, practice at less crowded times, and gradually increase commitment through progressive steps.
What's the best way to practice when I can't get to the skatepark?
You can still work on how to skateboard better at home through balance exercises, visualization techniques, studying video tutorials, and practicing board manipulation skills on carpet or grass.
How important is equipment quality for learning tricks?
While skill ultimately determines capability, proper equipment significantly affects learning how to get better at skating. A well-maintained board with appropriate deck size, quality trucks, and fresh bearings provides more predictable performance for landing skate tricks.
Ready to Master Your Skateboarding?
Start implementing these pro tips today and transform your skateboarding skills. Consistent practice with proper technique is the key to landing tricks with confidence.
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