Riding Guide
Can You Do Tricks on a Longboard?
Yes — but the tricks that work on a longboard are not the ones you see in street skateboard videos. Carving, manuals, slides, cross-steps, and pivot turns all work. Ollies and kickflips mostly do not. The question is which tricks match the board you have.
The short answer: yes, but not the tricks most people picture
Can you do tricks on a longboard? Yes. Longboards handle carving, manuals, slides, cross-steps, dancing, and pivot turns. They do not handle ollies, kickflips, or technical flip tricks the way a skateboard does — the deck is longer, heavier, and most longboards lack the double kick tail that street tricks require.
This is not a failure. It is a different design for a different purpose. Longboard tricks build the board control that makes cruising and commuting safer and more enjoyable. If you want to get comfortable on the board before adding moves, our how to longboard guide covers stance, pushing, and stopping first.
Tricks that work well on a longboard
Here are the longboard skateboard tricks most riders can start practicing within the first few weeks. Each one comes with a foot position cue so you know where to begin.
Carving
Shift your weight from your toe edge to your heel edge in smooth S-turns. Bend your knees, lean into each turn, and let the board arc. Start on flat ground at walking speed. This is the first move most longboard riders learn — and the one that improves everything else.
Manuals
Lift your front trucks off the ground by shifting weight to your back foot. Your front foot hovers while your back foot stays over the rear bolts. Hold two to three seconds to start. In our experience, most beginners get their first clean manual within a single practice session.
Pivot turns
Shift weight to your back foot, lift the front trucks, and rotate the board 180 degrees. Your back foot acts as the pivot point near the tail. This teaches you how the board responds when you unweight one end.
Slides (speed checks)
Push the board sideways while moving to shed speed. You need slide gloves or a learned glove-down technique. Softer wheels (78A–82A) break traction less easily, which means they are better for cruising but harder for initiating slides.
Cross-steps and dancing moves
Walk the length of the deck while rolling — crossover steps, Peter Pans, and pivots blended together. This works best on decks 40 inches and longer with some flex. Flat ground only for your first several sessions.
Deck shape and length affect which tricks feel natural. Longer decks favor dancing; shorter longboards with a kick tail favor slides and pivots. Our types of longboards guide breaks down which shapes fit which riding style.
Tricks that are hard or impractical on a longboard
| Trick | Why it is difficult on a longboard | Better board for this |
|---|---|---|
| Ollie | Heavier deck and longer wheelbase make popping the board off the ground much harder — most longboards lack a proper kick tail | Skateboard |
| Kickflip / flip tricks | Require a lighter board, double kick tail, and specific deck shape most longboards do not have | Skateboard |
| Grinds on rails or ledges | RKP truck geometry and board weight make locking into grinds impractical | Skateboard |
Honestly, if you are picturing yourself ollieing up a curb on a 40-inch longboard, that is not a realistic goal. The board is the wrong tool for that job. For a full breakdown of how these two board types compare, see our longboard vs skateboard comparison.
Foot position and weight basics for your first longboard trick
- Check your stance. Front foot near the front bolts, back foot near the tail. Shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent.
- Practice shifting weight while standing still. Stand on the board on grass or carpet and lean toe-side to heel-side. Most longboard tricks require smooth weight transfer, not a snap.
- Start with carving on flat ground. Once carving feels natural, try manuals — two to three seconds of front trucks off the ground.
- Move to pivot turns. Once manuals are consistent, pivots are the next step. They teach board control at a standstill.
- Use flat pavement only for your first three to five sessions. Do not attempt tricks on hills, cracked sidewalks, or wet surfaces.
Wear a helmet and consider knee pads — even manuals can catch you off balance when you are learning. Based on what we hear from beginners, the most common first fall happens during a manual that goes longer than intended, not during anything dramatic.
If you are still building basic riding confidence, start with our beginner longboard guide before adding tricks to your practice.
When a skateboard is the better choice
If your main goal is ollies, kickflips, or skate park riding, get a skateboard. Buying a longboard for ollie practice means you will spend more effort fighting the board than learning the trick.
Board choice depends on riding style, body size, route surface, and budget — not on what looks coolest in a video. If you want cruising with occasional tricks, a shorter cruiser board or a longboard with a kick tail can work as a middle ground. If you are not sure yet, start with a longboard for commuting, learn manuals and carving, then decide if you want to add a skateboard later. For a full guide on getting started, see how to ride a longboard for beginners.
Common questions, answered straight
Can you ollie on a longboard?
Technically possible on some shorter longboards with a kick tail, but impractical on most longboards. The deck is heavier and the wheelbase is longer, making the pop much harder. If ollies are your goal, get a skateboard.
What is the easiest trick to learn on a longboard?
Carving — smooth S-turns that build board control. It is the foundation for every other longboard move. After that, manuals and pivot turns are the next logical steps.
Can you do skateboard tricks on a longboard?
Some overlap exists. Pivots and manuals work on both. But most street skateboard tricks — kickflips, heelflips, grinds — require a shorter, lighter board with a double kick tail. Longboard tricks are a different category.
Do I need a specific type of longboard for tricks?
For dancing and cross-steps, a longer deck (40 inches or more) with some flex works. For slides and pivot turns, a shorter longboard or cruiser with a kick tail is more practical. Deck shape matters more than brand name.
Is it easier to do tricks on a longboard or skateboard?
Street tricks are easier on a skateboard.Carving and dancing-style tricks are easier on a longboard. These are different skill sets, not a difficulty comparison — the better question is which type of riding you actually want to do.
Find the right board for your riding goals
If you want a board that handles both cruising and basic tricks, start by looking at longboards with a kicktail — they give you a pivot point for manuals and turns without sacrificing ride comfort. If ollies and park riding are your goal, a skateboard is the right tool from the start. Either way, board choice depends on riding style, not brand loyalty.