It’s all about the mindset: 10 tips when learning new tricks

Learning new tricks on a longboard or skateboard can be both exhilarating and frustrating. While the sense of accomplishment that comes with landing a new trick can be incredibly satisfying, it can be challenging to manage your mindset and frustrations when progress is slow and you feel like giving up.

Here are some tips for keeping your head up and persevering through the tough times:

1. Set realistic goals

It's essential to set achievable goals when learning new tricks on a longboard (or skateboard!). Start with the basics, and gradually work your way up to more complicated maneuvers. Don't get discouraged if you don't master a new trick immediately—it takes time and practice to improve. Oftentimes, we see an awesome skate clip online, but we don’t see all the behind-the-scenes hours and progress that went into landing the trick or nailing the line.

2. Stay positive

A positive attitude is crucial when learning new tricks on a longboard or skateboard. Focus on enjoying the process and celebrate your small victories. Positive self-talk can go a long way in keeping you motivated and determined.

A great example of positive self-talk is using a mantra. This could be a simple affirmation like “I got this,” or "Go girl,” or “You flow” or another simple phrase. When you start hearing a negative internal dialogue, repeat your manta over and over. Negative self-talk is part of the game. It’s the same as in meditation. The bad thoughts won’t just disappear. They’re like clouds and you need to learn to just accept and don’t listen to them. You got this.

3. Take breaks and rest when you're injured

When you're feeling frustrated or burnt out, it's essential to take a break and rest. Pushing yourself too hard can lead to injury, which can set you back even further.

If you're injured, give yourself time to recover before attempting any new tricks. We all know how hard the struggle can be to see others skating when you’re hurt. But you’re only doing yourself a disservice by getting back on the board too soon. Take the opportunity to practice physical therapy and self-compassion.

4. Visualize success

Visualizing yourself successfully landing a new trick can help you overcome mental blocks and build confidence. Before an attempt, picture yourself executing the trick flawlessly, and believe in yourself.

5. Be consistent

Consistent practice is essential when learning new tricks on a longboard. If you really want to improve, set aside dedicated practice time and make it a priority. Every session counts, and the more you practice, the faster you'll improve and the more consistently you’ll land tricks.

This can be as simple as an established warm-up routine at the beginning of each session where you go through 5 tricks you know you can do and 5 tricks you’ve been working on most recently.

A trick always consists on way more things than just starting and sending it

6. Mix it up

Variety is essential to avoiding burnout when learning new tricks on a longboard. Try practicing different tricks, experiment with different terrain, or switch up your board. Maybe the setup you’ve got at the moment is not ideal for the trick, or maybe the location you’re skating has too many people to make you feel comfortable messing up. Mixing it up can keep you motivated and excited to keep learning. Plus, it’s fun to be creative.

7. Film yourself

Filming yourself attempting new tricks can be incredibly helpful. You can watch the footage to identify areas where you need to improve your technique and celebrate small victories along the way. It's also a great way to track your progress over time, which can be motivating when you feel like you're not improving. Sharing is caring. Especially in a social media world full of perfect 15 second reels, it might be encouraging for others as well to follow your progress.

8. Break it down

Breaking down a trick into smaller components can make it more manageable and less overwhelming. Focus on mastering each component before putting them together into the full trick. Maybe you’re not succeeding with the trick because a simple movement is missing that you need to master first. You can’t run a marathon without learning how to walk, can’t you? This can help you build confidence and make you progress faster.

9. Leave it (for now)

Maybe today is just not the right day to go for that specific trick and you’re stuck. To loosen up your session, just leave it for now and do a few lines or tricks you feel comfortable with. Your comfort zone can give you back some confidence and joy. At the end of the day, longboarding is all about having fun. Don't take yourself too seriously and enjoy the process of learning new tricks. It's okay to fail and make mistakes. That's how we learn and improve! Remember to laugh, enjoy the ride, and have fun with your fellow skaters… which leads to the last part of this article…

10. Connect with your skate community

Connecting with other skaters who are also learning new tricks can be incredibly motivating. Join a local skate group, connect with your favorite riders online, or reach out to that one person that got your trick that you want to learn already up their sleeves. And if it won’t work and you’re stuck, check out communities such as @skateofmindsociety on social media to remind yourself that we’re all in the same boat.

Skate of Mind is a great space for thoughts, worries and anxious minds. You can share your journey, celebrate each other's progress, commiserate on frustrations, and stay inspired.

Most importantly, don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it.

In conclusion, learning new tricks on a longboard skateboard can be challenging, but with the right mindset and approach, it can also be incredibly rewarding. Stay positive, stay motivated, and keep pushing yourself to improve. With consistent practice and dedication, you'll be landing new tricks in no time.