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How to Powerslide on a Skateboard like Professionals
- By Ryan Barnes
Skateboarding is a great way to get in shape, have fun outside with friends, and show off your skills. The problem for many people is that they can’t do the really cool tricks like powerslides or kickflips. Is this you? Don’t worry! In this article, I will teach you how to powerslide on a skateboard just like the professionals!
What is Powersliding?
Powersliding is a way of turning on the skateboard that looks like you are playing polo.[1] You can do it in either direction and with any leg tricks while sliding, though typically, people will go left when going forward and right when going backward.
Types of Powersliding
This power sliding skateboard technique can be performed in two ways, Frontside Powerslide and Backside Powerslide. We’ll take a brief look at both of these techniques and will also go through a step-by-step guide to learn both of these ways of powersliding.
How to Perform Frontside Powerslide
For skaters who already know how to do manual, it will be much easier for them to do frontside powerslide. Just follow the steps mentioned below and keep practicing it to master this skill.
1. Gain Some Momentum
Start by pushing with the opposite foot to gain momentum, then move your other leg across and behind it.
Remember that gravity will try its hardest to make you go straight down when you are sliding on a skateboard, so if you’re not leaning back slightly (keeping your weight off of the wheels), this will happen!
2. Proper Foot Placement
You should be placing your foot down in front of the wheels and over to one side, then have it glide across until you can push off with the opposite foot. Ideally, this will happen before you start leaning back or making contact with the ground!
3. Maintain Your Balance
Once you have completed the slide, you must be able to maintain your balance and not fall backward.
The best way to do this is by transferring all of your weight onto the foot in front that’s still on its wheels and leaning back a bit more. You can also take both feet off if necessary.
4. Jump and Adjust
A powerslide is easier when you are not pressing down on the board with your total weight. Bend your knees, and right before you slide, lift up just enough to reduce the amount of friction between the ground and your board.
Once you lift up a little, use your back foot to push sideways on the rear wheels, so they come off perpendicular. You may also need to jump and adjust your foot placement for the next slide.
5. Slow Down
To slow down, you have two options. One is just to lean back and use your weight for friction by sliding on the board with a bend in your knees. The second option is to stop pushing sideways on the wheels to bring them closer together, so they are perpendicular again.
If you are using a powerslide to slow down and transition, it is important that you balance the board as you slide it back to its natural skating position so you can continue moving.
How to Perform Backside Powerslide
Once you master the frontside powerslide, it’s time to move on to the backside powerslide. Let’s see how we can do it.
1. Get Some Momentum
To perform a backside powerslide, you again need first to get some momentum going.
The best way to do this is by gapping from one skateboard deck’s width towards the other in order for your body and feet to be perpendicular to each other when you land on the ground. This will give you enough space that allows for two 180 degree turns.
2. Proper Foot Placement
You want to be sure that your feet are parallel, and make sure you have the side of your board facing opposite from the direction in which you want to turn.
For instance, if you’re trying to do a left powerslide, place both toes on the right side of the skateboard deck. If you need an extra push, push off the ground with your back foot.
3. Push and Twist
To power slide on a skateboard, keep your head above the board and lean back to create enough weight to pivot the board. Twist forward during your descent to see in front of you, then quickly use backward momentum to continue while putting most of your body weight on that foot.
4. Ease Your Body
To finish your powerslide, be sure to ease down the board with both feet as you come out of it. This will keep the board from flipping and make a powerful exit!
Wrapping Up
Powerslides can be done by just slowing down the stop on your board, but you can take it a step further and incorporate this into a trick. Practicing will make you an expert at this move. It takes patience and dedication.
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