How To Land A Pop Shove It On A Skateboard
The pop shove-it, a foundational trick in skateboarding, often stands between aspiring skaters and unlocking a whole new realm of possibilities. Mastering this trick requires precision, timing, and a healthy dose of persistence. Many beginners struggle with the rotation and landing, leading to frustration and hindering progression.
This article breaks down the pop shove-it into manageable steps. It provides insights from experienced skaters and instructors. The aim is to equip readers with the knowledge and understanding needed to conquer this essential maneuver.
Understanding the Pop Shove-It
The pop shove-it is a skateboarding trick. It involves popping the board into the air and rotating it 180 degrees behind the skater before landing back on it. Unlike a shove-it, which is primarily a ground-based rotation, the pop shove-it requires the board to gain air.
Foot Placement
Your back foot should be positioned on the tail of the board. A comfortable placement is often with the ball of the foot near the center of the tail. Your front foot should be placed slightly behind the front bolts. It should be angled towards the nose of the board.
The Pop
Bend your knees in preparation. Then, use your back foot to snap the tail down against the ground, initiating the pop. Simultaneously, scoop your back foot backward. This motion is what generates the 180-degree rotation.
The Shove
As you pop, your front foot should lift slightly. Allow the board to rotate underneath you. Avoid stomping down with your front foot. Instead, let it guide the board's rotation.
Landing and Roll Away
Spot your landing as the board completes its rotation. Aim to land with your feet over the bolts. Bending your knees upon impact will help absorb the shock and maintain balance.
Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them
One common mistake is not popping high enough. This results in the board barely leaving the ground, making the rotation difficult. Focus on a more forceful pop with your back foot to achieve greater air time.
Another issue is not completing the full 180-degree rotation. This often stems from a lack of commitment to the shove. Practice the scooping motion with your back foot until it becomes natural.
Many skaters also struggle with landing with their weight distributed unevenly. This can lead to wobbling or falling off. Consciously distribute your weight evenly over both feet as you land.
Expert Tips and Drills
Braille Skateboarding, a popular online resource for skateboarding tutorials, recommends practicing the "scoop" motion without the board. This helps build muscle memory and refine the technique. Visualize the board rotating beneath you.
Tony Hawk, a skateboarding legend, emphasizes the importance of board control. He suggests starting with stationary pop shove-its. It allow you to focus solely on the rotation and landing without the added complexity of forward momentum.
Consider using obstacles such as painted lines. They can help ensure the 180 rotation is consistent. Place your pop shove-it at a specific point on a floor. Check whether the board is rotated to the correct angle.
The Mental Game
Skateboarding is as much a mental challenge as it is a physical one. Approaching the pop shove-it with confidence is essential. Visualize yourself landing the trick successfully.
Don't be discouraged by falls. Every fall is a learning opportunity. Analyze what went wrong and adjust your technique accordingly. Persistence is key to mastering any skateboarding trick.
Progression and Beyond
Once you've consistently landed the pop shove-it, you can start incorporating it into more complex lines and combinations. This trick is a gateway to a vast array of other tricks.
Consider learning the varial kickflip, which combines the pop shove-it with a kickflip. You can also learn the bigspin, which adds a body varial to the pop shove-it. These variations will challenge your coordination and creativity on the board.
Mastering the pop shove-it is a significant step forward in skateboarding. It requires patience, dedication, and a willingness to learn from mistakes. With consistent practice and the right guidance, you can unlock this trick and continue your skateboarding journey.
