3 Simple Steps to Master the Art of Skateboarding Braking

The Art of Stopping on a Skateboard: A Comprehensive Guide

The exhilarating experience of skateboarding often comes with the equally important task of learning how to stop or slow down. Whether you’re a novice or an experienced rider, mastering this crucial skill enhances both your safety and control. In this comprehensive article, we delve into the various techniques for stopping on a skateboard, empowering you with the knowledge to navigate your board with confidence. Transitioning from thrilling acceleration to a graceful halt requires a combination of balance, coordination, and the appropriate technique.

Techniques for Stopping on a Skateboard

Foot Braking:
The most intuitive method of stopping on a skateboard is foot braking. This technique involves placing your back foot gently on the tail of the board and applying downward pressure. As the tail makes contact with the ground, friction is created, gradually slowing down your momentum. Foot braking requires precise timing and coordination. By applying gradual pressure, you can control the rate of deceleration. For beginners, foot braking offers a simple and effective way to come to a halt.

Power Sliding:
For a more advanced and dynamic stop, power sliding is an effective technique. This maneuver involves carving a sharp turn while intentionally breaking traction with one of the wheels. To initiate a power slide, turn your body and shoulders in the direction you want to slide. Then, shift your weight over the front foot and quickly slide your back foot towards the opposite side of the board, causing the rear wheels to lose their grip on the ground. Power sliding requires practice and precision, allowing experienced riders to execute controlled slides with impressive control and style.

Carving:
Carving is a versatile technique that combines turning and sliding to decelerate. By rhythmically carving back and forth across the pavement, you can gradually reduce your speed. This method is particularly useful for navigating obstacles or controlling your momentum on slopes. Carving requires a good understanding of balance and the ability to maintain control throughout the motion. As you become more proficient, carving can be developed into a graceful and efficient way to stop smoothly.

The Powerslide

The powerslide is a great way to stop on a skateboard. It is a controlled slide that uses the friction between the wheels and the ground to slow you down. To do a powerslide, follow these steps:

Find a long, smooth, flat surface to practice on.
Start by riding at a moderate speed.
Once you have some momentum, lean back on the board and lift your front foot slightly.
As you lean back, pivot your front foot sideways so that the toes of your shoe point downhill.
Slide your front foot across the ground, keeping your weight on your back foot.
The friction between your wheels and the ground will cause the board to start to slide.
Control the slide by adjusting the amount of pressure you apply on your back foot.
To stop the slide, simply lean forward and put your front foot back on the board.

Some tips for doing a powerslide:

Start by practicing on a shallow slope so that you don’t slide too fast.
Wear a helmet and other protective gear when practicing powerslides.
Be patient and keep practicing until you can perform powerslides consistently.

Here is a table summarizing the steps of a powerslide:

STEP	ACTION
1	Find a long, smooth, flat surface to practice on.
2	Start by riding at a moderate speed.
3	Lean back on the board and lift your front foot slightly.
4	Pivot your front foot sideways so that the toes of your shoe point downhill.
5	Slide your front foot across the ground, keeping your weight on your back foot.
6	Control the slide by adjusting the amount of pressure you apply on your back foot.
7	To stop the slide, simply lean forward and put your front foot back on the board.

Air Breaking

Air breaking is a technique used to slow down or stop a skateboard while it is in the air. It is typically performed by dragging the back foot on the ground while the board is in the air. This creates friction between the skateboard and the ground, which helps to slow it down. Air breaking can be used to control the speed of the skateboard while it is in the air, or to stop it completely.

There are four main types of air breaking:

Heel-drag air break: This is the most common type of air break. It is performed by dragging the heel of the back foot on the ground while the board is in the air.
Toe-drag air break: This is performed by dragging the toe of the back foot on the ground while the board is in the air.
Shove-it air break: This is performed by pushing the tail of the board down with the back foot while the board is in the air.

Ollie air break: This is performed by popping the board up into the air and then dragging the back foot on the ground while the board is in the air.

Heel-drag air break

Heel-drag air breaks are the most common and easiest to perform. They can be used to control the speed of the skateboard while it is in the air, or to stop it completely. To perform a heel-drag air break, simply drag the heel of your back foot on the ground while the board is in the air. The amount of friction created between the skateboard and the ground will depend on the speed of the skateboard and the amount of pressure you apply with your foot.

Tips for heel-drag air breaks:

Keep your heel close to the ground.
Apply even pressure with your heel.
Don’t drag your heel too far back, or you will lose control of the board.

Ollies

The ollie is a fundamental skateboarding trick that allows you to jump your board into the air and over obstacles. To perform an ollie, follow these steps:

Position your feet. Place your back foot near the tail of the board and your front foot just behind the front trucks.
Bend your knees and crouch down. This will load the board with energy.
Jump up with your back foot. As you jump, flick your back ankle forward to pop the tail of the board.
Slide your front foot forward. As the tail pops, slide your front foot forward towards the nose of the board.
Level out the board. Once your front foot reaches the nose, level out the board by pushing down with your back foot and pulling up with your front foot.
Advanced Ollie Techniques:

Once you have mastered the basic ollie, there are several advanced techniques you can learn to improve your skills:
- High Ollie: To perform a high ollie, focus on jumping higher when you pop the tail. You can also try tucking your knees towards your chest to gain extra height.
- Long Ollie: To perform a long ollie, slide your front foot further forward towards the nose of the board. This will extend the length of your jump.
- Nose Ollie: To perform a nose ollie, place your front foot on the nose of the board instead of just behind the front trucks. This will cause the board to flip up into the air.

Transferring Weight

To start the process of coming to a stop, you’ll need to shift your weight onto your back foot. This will help slow down the board and prepare you for the next step.

8. Drag Your Back Foot

Once your weight is shifted, place your back foot on the ground behind the board, toes pointed towards the nose. As you drag your foot, it will create friction with the ground, helping you decelerate. The faster you’re going, the further you’ll need to drag your foot to slow down effectively.

Here are some tips for dragging your back foot to stop:

Keep your toes pointed towards the nose of the board.
Drag your foot as close to the ground as possible without touching the wheels.
Apply increasing pressure as you drag your foot to gradually slow down.
If you’re going very fast, you may need to drag your foot for several seconds to come to a complete stop.
Once the board has slowed down significantly, you can lift your back foot and step off to dismount.

9. Practice, Practice, Practice

Like any skill on a skateboard, mastering the art of stopping takes practice. Find a safe and open area where you can practice repeatedly without obstacles. Start at a slow speed and gradually increase it as you become more comfortable and confident in your technique.

Foot Braking Table

Method	Description	Advantages	Disadvantages
Tail Drag	Dragging the tail of the board against the ground	Easy to learn, effective for low speeds	Can slow down the board, damage the tail if done too hard
Foot Brake	Dragging the back foot behind the board	Effective at all speeds, easy to control	Can be tiring, requires balance and coordination
Slide Stop	Sliding the board sideways to slow down	Looks cool, effective at high speeds	Difficult to learn, can cause the board to flip or go out of control

Using Grip Tape

Grip tape is a rough, sandpaper-like material that is applied to the surface of a skateboard to improve friction and make it easier for riders to control their boards. It is typically made from silicon carbide or aluminum oxide grains and comes in a variety of colors and textures.

Choosing Grip Tape

When choosing grip tape, there are a few things to keep in mind:

Grain size: Grip tape comes in a variety of grain sizes, from fine to coarse. Fine-grained grip tape is less abrasive and provides more control, while coarse-grained grip tape is more abrasive and provides more grip.
Color: Grip tape comes in a variety of colors to match any skateboard. Some riders prefer to use clear grip tape to show off their deck graphics.
Texture: Grip tape can have different textures, such as bubble, volcano, and perforated. Bubble grip tape has small bubbles that provide extra grip, while volcano grip tape has raised bumps that provide even more grip. Perforated grip tape has holes that allow moisture to escape, making it less likely to wear out.

Applying Grip Tape

To apply grip tape, you will need the following materials:

Skateboard
Grip tape
Razor blade or box cutter
Utility knife or scissors
Ruler or measuring tape
Pencil or pen

Follow these steps to apply grip tape:

Clean the surface of your skateboard with a cloth and isopropyl alcohol.
Measure and cut the grip tape to the size of your skateboard. It is important to leave a small gap around the edges of the board.
Peel off the backing of the grip tape and carefully align it with the edges of your skateboard.
Press the grip tape down firmly, starting from the center and working your way out to the edges.
Use a ruler or measuring tape to ensure that the grip tape is evenly spaced around the board.
Trim the excess grip tape around the edges of the board using a razor blade or box cutter.
Use a utility knife or scissors to cut out any holes for the mounting hardware.
Allow the grip tape to cure for 24 hours before riding your skateboard.

Grain Size	Grip	Control
Fine	Less	More
Medium	Moderate	Moderate
Coarse	More	Less

Practice, Practice, Practice

Skateboarding is a fun and challenging activity, but it can also be dangerous if you don’t know how to stop safely. There are several different ways to stop on a skateboard, and the best method for you will depend on your skill level and the terrain you are riding on.

Foot Braking

Foot braking is the most basic way to stop on a skateboard. To foot brake, simply drag your back foot on the ground behind you. This will create friction and slow you down.

Power Sliding

Power sliding is a more advanced way to stop on a skateboard. To power slide, you need to turn your board sideways and then slide it across the ground. This will create friction and slow you down quickly.

Carving

Carving is a great way to slow down and change direction on a skateboard. To carve, you simply turn your board in one direction and then the other, creating an arc. This will slow you down and help you avoid obstacles.

Other Ways to Stop on a Skateboard

In addition to the methods listed above, there are several other ways to stop on a skateboard. These include:

Jumping off the board
Using a speed check to slow down
Grabbing onto something to stop

Choosing the Right Method

The best way to stop on a skateboard will depend on your skill level and the terrain you are riding on. If you are a beginner, it is best to start with foot braking. As you become more experienced, you can start to learn more advanced methods such as power sliding and carving.

Method	Difficulty	Terrain
Foot Braking	Easy	All types
Power Sliding	Moderate	Smooth surfaces
Carving	Moderate	All types

How to Stop on a Skateboard

Safely stopping on a skateboard is a crucial skill for any rider. There are several effective methods to decelerate and come to a complete stop, depending on your riding style and the situation. Here are the three most common techniques:

Foot Braking:
- This is the most basic stopping method and involves using your back foot to drag on the ground.
- Place your back foot on the tail of the board and apply pressure as you slide it against the ground.
- Keep your front foot on the board for stability and balance.
Slide Stopping:
- This technique is more advanced and requires some practice.
- Lean your body heavily towards the direction you want to turn, and simultaneously slide the wheels of your skateboard towards that direction.
- The friction between the wheels and the ground will cause the board to skid to a stop.
Carving:
- This method is more gradual and involves using the momentum of your board.
- Start by moving in a straight line and then gradually start making a large, wide turn.
- As you turn, the board will naturally slow down due to the loss of momentum.