Terms Every New Skater Should Know
When you first talk to other skaters, you’re going to hear a lot of technical terms. It’s almost like skateboarding has its own language.

Warning: This blog post includes stock images of people skating without protective equipment. Never do this. Failing to wear protective equipment can result in serious bodily harm.

Anatomy of a Skateboard

Deck: Wooden skateboard before the parts are attached

Wooden skateboard before the parts are attached Nose: Front of the deck

Front of the deck Tail: Back of the deck

Back of the deck Trucks: Attaches the wheels and bearings to the deck and allows the skateboard to turn

Attaches the wheels and bearings to the deck and allows the skateboard to turn Bearings: Parts that allow the skateboard wheel to role

Parts that allow the skateboard wheel to role Griptape: Material with a sandpaper-like surface on top and adhesive on the bottom

Material with a sandpaper-like surface on top and adhesive on the bottom Hardware: The “nuts and bolts” that hold your trucks to the deck. Comes in either Allen or Phillips.

The “nuts and bolts” that hold your trucks to the deck. Comes in either Allen or Phillips. Riser Pads: Elevates the board to create space between the deck and wheels

Stance

Stance: The way you stand on a skateboard, either left foot forward or right foot forward.

Goofy: Stance where you skate with your right foot forward.

Regular: Stance where you skate with your left foot forward.

Mongo: Pushing with your front foot. Avoid skating like this, it’s a bad habit that worsens your setup time and balance.

Types of Skating

Street: Skateboarding in an urban environment, whether real or simulated. Typical obstacles include flatground, curbs, handrails, ledges, and stairs (Britannica).

Street skating

Vert/Transition: Skateboarding on a ramp with a vertical component, for example, a halfpipe or an emptied swimming pool.

Transition skating

Popular Skate Tricks

Ollie: Standard “jump” maneuver. Performed by popping your tail to the ground, sliding your front foot forwards, and jumping simultaneously.

Kickflip: Trick where your board rotates 360 degrees on its axis under your feet.

Kickflip

Manual: Lifting your front or back two wheels off the ground while rolling. Often called a “wheelie.”

Grind: Trick where the trucks “grind” against the edge of a surface. Can be done on ledges, rails, curbs, etc.
['Ryan D.']
['Beginners Guide', 'Skateboarding']