Scootering Tricks for Beginners

One of the coolest things about owning a scooter is the fact that you can use it not only for getting around but also for tricks. If you are all geared up, and you already have a helmet – if you are looking for a buying guide that can help you make an informed decision check it out here, here is a list of simple beginner tricks that you can learn in no time.

The bunny hop

One of the first moves that you should learn if you own a scooter is the bunny hop. To do a bunny hop, you have to start by having your feet placed on the deck of the scooter in a stable position. Then, you have to bend your knees and push with your legs as much as you can. This will feel just like a regular jump.  To avoid falling off, make sure that you have your arms securely gripped to the handles. 

The main trick when it comes to bunny hops is that you have to bend your knees as much as you comfortably can. If you do so, you will be able to get quite a lift. If you do not learn the trick from the first try, do not worry. Just like any other tricks, you will get to master it if you practice it regularly. The record for most bunny hops in one minute is 189, and the highest hop on a scooter is 41 inches.

The tail-whip

Once you have mastered the bunny hop, you are all set and ready to learn how to do a tailwhip. To do this trick, you have to keep your right foot at the back of the deck. Next, you have to do a bunny hop. The higher the bunny hop, the easier it will be for you to do the tail-whip.

When you are doing the bunny hop, use your front foot to spin the deck around 360 degrees. As you do this, your feet will be in the air. For stability, make sure that your hands are on the handlebar. 

To stop the scooter spinning, when you hit the ground, you have to place your back foot on the back of the scooter. When you land, both of your feet should rest on the deck. Even though this trick might look easy at first, you will have to practice it to do it perfectly. 

The tail grab

To do a tail grab, you have to hold the back of your deck with one hand when you are in the air. If the trick sounds familiar, you probably know it because it is often done by skateboarders. Start by bending your knees when you are in the air. 

Next, remove one of your hands from the handlebar and use it to reach down the deck of the scooter. Try to hold the deck for as long as possible. Before you land, make sure that you get both of your hands back on the grip so that you won’t get injured. 

The one-hander

To do a one-hander, you have to start with a high bunny hop. When you are in the air, let go of one of your arms – your non-dominant hand is preferred. Keep your arm completely parallel to the ground so that you can keep your balance. At first, this might prove a bit challenging, as you are prone to feel a little bit wobbly. 

When you are feeling like you are losing balance, grab the handlebar with both hands again. As you land, both of your hands should be on the handlebar. 

If you feel completely comfortable when doing the one-hander, you can go a step forward and take both of your hands off the handlebar at the same time. As expected, this trick is much more difficult and, thus, you should not attempt to do it if you are inexperienced.

The no footer

As the name of this trick suggests, a no footer implies that you have to take both of your feet off the deck of the scooter. To start, you have to do a bunny hop, and then to simply take the feet off the deck.

There are plenty of variations of this move and, consequently, you can experiment with it depending on your preferences and level of skill. 

The nose pivot

If you do not feel confident while doing tricks that require jumping, the nose pivot is the trick for you. To do it, you have to spin the deck of your scooter by using your front wheel. Start on a level surface and then place your foot close to the handlebar. Then, shift the front wheel and try to spin 180 degrees. Finally, make sure that you gently get your body to the initial position. 

The manual 

The manual is a trick that consists of you riding on the back wheel of your scooter. To start, place your front foot on the end of the deck, and then you glide forward. Another way to do the manual is to place your front leg on the brake of the scooter, and the other one in front of it, on the deck. In this case, you have to keep your balance by using the brake.

As you probably imagine, the second variation on the manual is a little bit harder to master and, thus, it will require a little bit more practice. 

The fakie

The fakie is riding backward on your scooter. When you ride fakie, remember that you have to steer in the opposite direction than the direction that you want to go. To master this simple trick, you need to learn how to maintain your balance. 

A fakie is a very handy trick to know, as you can use it when transitioning in and out of more complicated tricks. 

The barspin

If you are right-handed, take your left hand off the handlebar and then spin the bar 180 degrees by using your right hand. When you can no longer spin the bar any further, take your left hand and try to grab the handlebar under the right hand. 

Finally, move your right hand to fully rotate the bar until it gets back to its initial position. If you are left-handed, do the same thing, but in the opposite direction. 

The nollie

The nollie is another trick that you can learn. To do a nollie, or a bunny hop on your front wheel, you need to lean your body forwards and push in such a way so that the back of the scooter is off the ground. 

When you are just rolling on the front wheel, hop it off the ground so that it looks as if a bunny is jumping. Then, try to safely regain your balance and land the wheels back on the ground.

Tips on how to master these tricks

Patience is the key to learning new scooter tricks. Even though you might not manage to do them correctly from the first try, with practice you will eventually master them. If you feel frustrated that you can’t nail a trick immediately, remember to keep practicing as you will eventually get there.

When you are learning a new trick that is somewhat more complicated, it is always better to do so in the grass. This way, if you fall, you won’t injure yourself. Moreover, always wear protective equipment such as a helmet and elbow and knee straps. 

Safety tips

Apart from wearing safety gear, there are a couple of extra safety tips that you should keep in mind while doing tricks. To start, make sure that you are wearing appropriate shoes. Flip flops, for instance, are not safe to wear while riding on a scooter.

Plus, you should never hurry when it comes to learning scooter tricks. If you do not feel comfortable operating a scooter yet, you should not push yourself even more by trying to learn new tricks that you can impress your friends with. Instead, take baby steps to ensure that you are familiar with how to use such a vehicle. 

When you try a trick for the first time, you should never aim for speed. Rather than that, you should practice it in a safe location at lower speeds. No matter how familiarized you are with a trick, you shouldn’t try it on busy roads or near traffic.