Skateboard Tricks Tips

One of our Skatemoms was injured this weekend. She was dropping in for the first time on a 7-foot transition and fell, fracturing her tailbone. She told us later, as she iced her sore bottom, that she felt stupid simply because she had freaked out at the last minute and closed her eyes on the way down.

What happened to our friend is entirely normal. Humans merely aren’t programmed to calmly throw themselves off a vertical wall with a rolling plank underfoot. Skating at the edge of the comfort zone triggers primal instincts for standard physical survival. We get frightened. And this has profound effects on the body. Our heart rate increases, and our brain releases adrenaline. Our breathing becomes rapid and shallow, or we forget to breathe entirely. We tense up.

Our natural defense mechanisms have served us well for millions of years, but they can make it dangerous to ride a skateboard. To skate effectively, we require to remain relaxed. To stay relaxed, we require to override our most basic instincts for survival. Here are some things we do to conquer our fears:

Use worry to your advantage.

Let your concern prompt you into affirmative action. Be scared sufficient to inspect your board as well as the park for hazards just before taking a run. Be frightened enough to use your helmet and all of one’s pads.
Talk about it.

Talking about your concern reduces anxiety. Every skater knows what it’s like to be afraid. And, in general, skaters are great at talking about their anxiety. Even the teen-aged ripper at your local park will admit that he gets afraid sometimes should you ask him. Open up to another skater; tell her your afraid. Seek her support and encouragement, and you’ll possibly get it.

Breathe.

The way you breathe is key. Whenever you really feel your breathing begin to change since you are afraid, make a conscious effort to keep it smooth and regular. Practice yoga, meditation, or self-hypnosis to support you control your breathing when you would like to.

Remain focused and positive.

The much more we prepare ahead of time, the a lot more we can relax and appreciate the ride. Wait until you are healthy to try new stuff so you won’t feel like you need to protect injuries. Visualize your entire run ahead of you take it, and imagine yourself completing it successfully. Repeat portions of the run you already know effectively to develop muscle memory and ease nerves. Practice bailing out of a trick prior to you try it, so you will have a safe exit plan when you will need it. Concentrate on staying relaxed whilst you skate. One of our Skatemoms likes to focus on keeping her wrists relaxed and loose while she skates. It seems that if they are tense and rigid, everything else is too.

How do you conquer your fear?