Quick answer: Learn two-wheel skateboard tricks as a ladder: clean carves first, then a tight turn, riding backwards, a 180 and finally a spin. Move up a rung only once the one below works every time, on flat, swept private ground. Not to be used in traffic. Wear a helmet and wrist, knee and elbow guards.
How do you know the basics are in place?
Every move on this page depends on the two decks twisting independently, which our page on how the sprung bar and swivelling wheels work explains. So the twist has to look after itself before you build anything on top of it. Three questions settle that. Does the board keep rolling while your eyes are up, on the space around you? Does a turn towards your weaker side feel as relaxed as the other one? Can you speed the twist up and slow it down again whenever you choose?
If any basic still needs concentration, go back to the seven-day basics and come back later. You may have seen them listed as caster board tricks or waveboard tricks; on any twin-deck board, they are the same flat-ground moves.
What kit and space does trick practice need?
Expect more falls than in your first week, and odder ones: sideways out of a spin, or backwards when a reverse run goes wrong. So nothing comes off between attempts: helmet, wrist guards, elbow and knee protection all stay on from the warm-up to the last carve. Pick flat, private ground with space to spare, sweep it, and keep the area to yourself while a new move is still unreliable. Children practise under adult supervision. Some town centres and public spaces have local rules against riding boards. Follow the signs.
What is the trick ladder?
Five rungs, and each has a pass mark in the last column. Until a rung meets its pass mark on an ordinary, slightly tired day, the next one waits.
| Rung | Trick | Skill it builds | Pass mark |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clean carves | Linking turns without losing the twist | Ten clean carves without stopping |
| 2 | The tight turn | Turning back on yourself under control | You come round between two close markers, in both directions |
| 3 | Riding backwards | Twisting with the other foot setting the pace | Three straight backward runs to a marker without grabbing anything |
| 4 | The 180 | Swapping direction while rolling | Five in a row each way, rolling off calmly every time |
| 5 | The spin | A full turn on almost the same spot | One complete rotation each way that ends with you riding off in control |
How do you learn each rung?
Rung one: carving
A carve is a chain of linked turns, the board drawing an S behind it. Keep twisting the whole time and press into each turn through the knees, shoulders showing the way. Begin with wide, lazy curves and bring them closer together as they settle. A carve that ends with a foot on the ground does not count towards the ten.
Rung two: the tight turn
Shrink a single turn until the board comes back on itself. Ease off a little, look over your front shoulder at where you want to finish, and keep the twist alive through the turn instead of coasting. Your heel-side turn will probably lag behind your toe-side one, so give it the extra goes.
Rung three: riding backwards
Riding backwards, also called fakie, means rolling with your back foot at the front of the movement. Start beside a wall, push gently the other way and begin the same twist: the motion does not change, only the direction does. Turn your head to watch the way the board is heading, keep the runs short and straight, and stop well short of walls and fences.
Rung four: the 180
A 180 swings the board through half a circle while it is still moving, so you carry on rolling the same way but now backwards, or forwards again if you started backwards. That is why riding backwards comes first. Roll slowly, whip your head and shoulders round, and let the board follow almost on the spot. Keep the twist going as you land the new direction, and ride it out before you try again.
Rung five: the spin
The spin, or 360, is a full rotation on nearly one spot. Wind your shoulders up against the turn, then unwind them firmly into it while your feet keep the decks working. Expect to feel dizzy at first, so pause between attempts and end the session once your balance feels off.
How should a trick session be organised?
- Warm up. A few easy loops and wide carves until the twist feels automatic again.
- Check the last rung. Run its test once. If it no longer passes, that rung is today's work.
- Work on one new thing. Short bursts of attempts on the next rung, with rests in between.
- Swap directions. Give the weaker side its turn while your legs are still fresh.
- Finish on something easy. End with a move you can do well, so the session closes in control.
What comes after the fifth rung?
Combinations rather than height: carve into a 180, ride backwards, then 180 back to forwards; or link a spin straight into a carve. Jumps, ramps and steps sit outside this ladder because they bring harder falls and need different skills. Coming from skateboarding? See what carries over from a skateboard and what you will need to relearn. For the way we choose and date the sources behind this advice, read how each rider guide is sourced.
Call it a day
End the session and inspect the board, or ask its maker or seller, if:
- you feel dizzy, or your legs have started to shake;
- a fall hurt, or your helmet hit the ground;
- the decks twist further than they used to, or the bar between them creaks;
- a caster no longer swivels freely, or its bearings grind.
A helmet that has taken a heavy blow should be checked against its maker's replacement advice before you ride again.
Questions riders ask
Do I need a special board for tricks?
No. The ladder asks nothing of the board beyond good condition: a firm bar between the decks, casters that swivel freely and grip that has not worn smooth. Check those three things before each trick session.
Should I learn every trick in both directions?
Yes, as far as you can. Most riders have a stronger side, and a trick that only works one way leaves you stuck when the space runs out. Alternate directions within each session, starting with your weaker one while you are fresh.
Why does the board stall halfway through a 180?
Usually the twist stops while your shoulders turn. The board needs that rhythm to keep rolling; without it the casters scrub and it stops under you. Keep twisting through the whole turn, and go back to a wider, slower version until it flows.
Why do my spins drift away from the spot?
Mostly from your weight settling over one deck, or from a twist that dies partway round. Stay centred between the wheels, keep both feet working through the whole rotation and lead with your head. Early spins that wander a little are normal; tighten them over later sessions.