Summer is in full swing, so skateboarders everywhere are taking their boards out of the garage and pushing to the nearest park. Like most people, you probably want to get better at skating but don’t know where to start. In this post, we’ll give you tips on how to get more pop on a skateboard so you can start landing those tricks you’ve been dreaming of. Keep reading to learn more.
Why is Pop Important?
If you’re new to skating, you might not know why pop is so important. Pop is the explosive movement that propels your skateboard into the air. Without enough pop, you won’t be able to perform most tricks or get enough air to clear obstacles. There are two reasons why pop is important for skateboarding.
First, it allows you to clear obstacles. For example, if you’re trying to get over a pool gap or a large set of stairs, you’ll need all the height you can get. Second, pop gives you more time in the air to land your tricks. This is especially important for street skaters constantly trying to perfect their Ollies.
Why Does My Skateboard Have No Pop?
There are a few reasons why your skateboard might not have enough pop.
Board Might Be Too Stiff
If your skateboard is too stiff, it won’t be able to flex when you jump on it. This means that the board will absorb all the energy from your jump instead of being used to propel you into the air. So it’s important to find a balance between a board that’s too stiff and one that’s too flexible. You want a board that can flex when you jump on it but not so much that it feels unstable.
Bushings Might Be Too Hard
Another reason your skateboard might not have enough pop is that the bushings might be too hard. The bushings are the small, cylindrical plastic pieces connecting the trucks to the deck. They’re what allow your skateboard to turn. If they’re too hard, it will be difficult for your board to turn when you lean into a turn. This will make it harder for you to pop because you won’t be able to transfer your weight as easily.
Wheels Might Be Too Hard
The hardness of your wheels also affects pop. If your wheels are too hard, they won’t be able to grip the ground as well when you try to pop. This will make it difficult for you to generate the explosive movement you need to get your board off the ground.
Trucks Might Be Too Tight
If your trucks are too tight, it will be difficult for your wheels to turn. This, in turn, makes it harder to generate the pop you need. Too tight trucks also make it more difficult to control your skateboard.
You’re Not Popping Correctly
It’s also possible that you’re simply not popping correctly. If you’re not popping correctly, generating the explosive movement you need to get your board off the ground will be difficult.
You’re Not Leaning Into Your Turns
If you’re not leaning into your turns, transferring your weight from one foot to the other won’t be easy. This makes it harder to generate the explosive movement you need to get your board off the ground.
A Complete Guide on How to Get More Pop on a Skateboard
1. Get a Board With the Right Flex.
As we mentioned before, you want a board that’s not too stiff and not too flexible. You can usually find the flex rating of a board in the description. To do a quick test, try to push down on the nose and tail of the board. If the board starts to bend, it’s too flexible. If it doesn’t budge, it’s too stiff.
2. Check Your Bushings.
Make sure that your bushings are not too hard. You can usually find the hardness of your bushings in the description. To do a quick test, try to turn your board from side to side. If it’s difficult to turn, your bushings are too hard. If it’s too easy to turn, your bushings are too soft.
3. Check Your Wheels.
One of the most important things to check on your skateboard is your wheels. If your wheels are old and worn down, they won’t be able to grip the pavement either, and you won’t be able to generate as much pop. So make sure your wheels are in good condition and the right size for your skateboard.
4. Check Your Trucks.
If your trucks are loose, you won’t be able to generate as much pop. Make sure that your trucks are tightened to the appropriate level. You don’t want them to be too loose or too tight. If they’re too loose, your board will be unstable, and you won’t be able to generate as much power. If they’re too tight, your board will be difficult to turn, and you won’t be able to generate as much speed.
5. Popping Correctly.
You want to jump up and not just push down when you pop. To do this, you want to crouch down a little bit and then jump up explosively. You want to snap your wrists, so the board pops off the ground as you jump. If you’re not popping correctly, generating the explosive movement you need to get your board off the ground will be difficult.
6. Leaning Into Your Turns.
When you turn your skateboard, lean your body into the turn. This will give you more pop and help you keep your balance. You can practice this by skating around in a circle. To do this, start skating forward and then lean to the left or right when you reach the end of your board. If you lean too much, you will fall. So, practice leaning until you get the hang of it.
7. Use Your Back Foot to Generate Power.
When you’re popping, use your back foot to generate power. As you crouch down, push off with your back foot and jump up. This will help you get more pop. If you’re not using your back foot, you won’t be able to generate as much power.
8. Use Your Arms for Balance.
As you skate, use your arms for balance. If you’re not using your arms, you will be off balance, and it will be difficult to generate the explosive movement you need to get your board off the ground. It may seem strange initially, but it will become natural with practice.
9. Don’t Ollie Too High.
If you try to ollie too high, you will lose control of your board, and you won’t be able to generate as much pop. So, don’t try to ollie higher than you can control. Ollie as high as you can while still maintaining control of your board.
10. Use Your Body Weight.
Use your body weight to your advantage when you’re popping. For example, as you crouch down, transfer your weight to your back foot. This will help you generate more power. If you’re not using your body weight, you won’t be able to generate as much power. It may seem small, but it makes a big difference.
9. Practice on Different Surfaces.
You can practice popping on different surfaces to help you learn how to generate more pop. Try practicing on grass, concrete, or even sand. Each surface will require a different technique. However, by practicing on different surfaces, you’ll be able to learn how to generate more pop no matter what surface you’re skating on.
10. Squat Lower When You Pop.
When you pop, squat lower to the ground. The lower you are, the more power you will generate. So, don’t be afraid to squat low when you’re popping. It may feel uncomfortable initially, but it will help you generate more power. If you’re not squatting low enough, you won’t be able to generate enough power to make your board pop very high.
11. Invest in a Good Skateboard.
If you want to generate more pop, invest in a good skateboard. A good skateboard will be able to take the abuse of popping, and it will help you generate more power. It’s worth the investment if you’re serious about skating. If you’re not serious about skating, you can still generate more pop on a cheaper board.
12. Practice, Practice, Practice!
The best way to learn how to get more pop on a skateboard is to practice. The more you practice, the better you’ll become at it. So, don’t be afraid to spend some time practicing. It’ll be worth it in the end. First, find a spot where you can practice without interruption. Then, practice as often as you can. The more you practice, the better you’ll become at generating more pop.
Conclusion
You now know how to get more pop on a skateboard. It’s not hard, but it does take some practice. So, go out and start popping! Once you get the hang of it, you can move on to more difficult tricks. Always wear safety gear when skating, and stay safe while having fun.
You Can Check It Out to Replace Bushings Skateboard
