Top Fingerboard Tricks to Master

The miniature version of skateboarding, fingerboarding, has become popular throughout the skating community. It has become a hobby for those looking to perform tricks and recreate skate park moves with just their fingers. Mastering fingerboard tricks takes a lot of patience and practice.Whether you're a beginner looking to learn the basics or an experienced rider aiming to perfect advanced maneuvers, there's always something new to try. In this post, we’ll break down some popular fingerboarding tricks and share tips to help you level up your skills on the board.

Types of Fingerboard Tricks:

• Flat and flip tricks
• Grinds and slides
• Grab tricks

Flat and Flip Fingerboard Tricks

Ollie

To perform an ollie, use your middle or ring finger to slap the tail and make it pop up. While in the air, slide your index finger to the nose to level the board. If it doesn't work right away, try winding back first to help complete the trick.

Fakie Ollie

Position your fingers as if you're riding backward, with your front finger on the tail and your back finger on the nose. Push down on the tail with your back finger, this will make the board pop into the air. As the board begins to lift, use your front finger to help level it out. Unlike a regular ollie, you don't slide your front finger to the nose but instead keep it steady and control the board’s movement in the direction of the tail. Once the board reaches its peak, prepare to land by following the direction of the tail, meaning you'll land in the fakie position. 

Nollie

Position your fingers so that your front finger is on the tail and your back finger is on the nose. Push down on the nose with your back finger to make the board pop into the air. As the board begins to rise, use your front finger to help level the board out and guide it through the air. Once the board reaches its peak, prepare to land with the front finger guiding the board back down to the surface. Make sure to catch it before it hits the ground to complete the trick.

Grinds and Slides

50-50

Start by setting your front finger on the nose and your back finger on the tail, riding in a regular stance with the board parallel to the surface. Roll toward the rail or edge at a slight angle, aiming to land with both front and back wheels hitting the rail simultaneously. As you near the rail, use a slight flick to jump onto it, ensuring both wheels land evenly and the board stays level. While grinding, keep your fingers steady and apply gentle pressure to maintain balance. As you approach the end, lift the tail and nose to pop off and land smoothly.

5-0 (tail grind)

Position your front finger on the nose and back finger on the tail, approaching the rail with enough speed for the grind. Angle the board so only the back wheels hit the rail, with the front wheels staying above. Use a slight pop to lift the board and place the back wheels on the rail, keeping the front wheels angled above it. Maintain balance with steady fingers and slight pressure on the back wheels. As you near the end, lift the nose with your front finger to pop off and land smoothly.

Board slide

Position your front finger on the nose and back finger on the tail, approaching the rail with enough speed. Angle the board so only the back wheels hit the rail, keeping the front wheels above it. Use a slight pop to lift the board and place the back wheels on the rail, keeping the front wheels angled above. Maintain balance by applying light pressure on the back wheels. As you near the end, lift the nose with your front finger to pop off and land smoothly.

Grab Fingerboard Tricks

Foot Stomp

Place your front finger on the nose and back finger on the tail in a regular stance. Roll toward a flat surface or obstacle, such as a ledge or ramp. Use your back finger to pop the tail down, similar to an ollie but with more emphasis on the tail slapping down. As the board pops, position your front finger to catch it and quickly "stomp" the front wheels onto the surface. After the stomp, catch the board and land smoothly, then roll away while maintaining control.

Hand plant

Start in your regular fingerboarding stance, with your front finger on the nose and back finger on the tail. Roll towards the obstacle with enough speed to gain height. As you near the lip, use your back finger to pop the board into the air and move your front finger toward the ramp edge. Quickly plant your front finger on the lip like a handstand, keeping the board in the air. Once planted, use your back finger to guide the board back down into the ramp and land smoothly. Control the board and roll away.

Gymnast Plant

Start in your regular fingerboarding stance, with your front finger on the nose and back finger on the tail. Roll towards a ramp or raised edge with enough speed to launch the board. As you approach the lip, pop the tail with your back finger to lift the board. While in the air, plant your front finger on the edge like a handstand, keeping the back of the board in the air. After a brief hold, lift the board with your back finger and guide it back down into the ramp. Land smoothly and roll away while controlling the board.

It takes time and practice to master fingerboarding tricks, but with persistence, you'll be grinding in no time! The key is to stay patient and keep experimenting, and with enough dedication, you'll soon be nailing tricks you thought were impossible.Let your creativity flow as you continue to explore the endless possibilities of fingerboarding!