Skateboard Mini Ramp Trick Tips
After learning ride on a straight surface and before hitting the pipes, try out new tricks on mini ramps that are available at most skate parks. A mini ramp may provide a straight four-foot slope or can be bent to mimic a portion of a half-pipe. Most of the popular tricks performed on the full-size ramps can be perfected on a mini ramp. At the same time, mini ramps can be an end in themselves, as many skateboarders excel at mini ramp tricks and compete entirely on the short slopes.
Speed
Get accustomed to building up speed while keeping your eye on the ramp in front of you. Tricks on a mini ramp require momentum as you approach the ramp because you don't have the same amount of space to build any motion. Point your toes toward the ramp if you are going to perform front slides. The heels should be facing the ramp on the approach to get into the backslide tricks.
Body Position
Moving up a ramp requires different body positions than straight skateboarding. Practice maintaining a straight body position as you tackle the mini ramp. Experiment with Ollies and spins, paying attention to how you are leaning. The more you practice, the less attention you'll need to land, allowing you to concentrate on adding more tricks.
Ollie
Learn Ollie on the ramp. Most skateboard tricks incorporate an Ollie in their execution. Approach the ramp with knees bent. Push down on your board and feel the bend as it sags slightly under your weight. Begin to jump as soon as you feel that spring at the base of the ramp. Lift the skateboard with the jump, resting your fingers over the front lip of the board and then slide down backward off the ramp. Proceed to other tricks as you become more comfortable with each new movement.
Spins
Pull up on the front of the board as you reach the top of the ramp and turn the board to the left, looking over your shoulder to stay aligned with the ramp for a landing. Twist 180 degrees and land on the middle of the ramp. Straighten up as you slide down the ramp. Work on turning your body mid-air and landing while still standing. Short ramps are challenging because you have little time to spare as you spin.
Kickflip
Kickflips work best on a mini ramp when there is a platform at the top of the ramp on which you can stand. Get ready as if you are going to do an Ollie, but move your back foot toward the tail of the skateboard to perform the kickflip at the top of the ramp. Push down with your back foot until the front rises and you can see the tape under the lip of the front. Grab the board and land on your feet on the platform.
Protection
While you may not have as far to fall on a mini ramp, the fall still can be dangerous. Wear protective gear such as helmets, and knee and elbow pads at all times. Mini ramps are typically narrower than half pipes and full size ramps and newcomers to the tricks can fall off the edges in addition to taking spills directly on the ramp.
Tags: mini ramp, back foot, because have, front board, Mini Ramp, mini ramp
