Fakie Ollie

The fakie ollie is simply an ollie done while riding backward, that is, in fakie (your back foot is now leading). It’s a key trick for learning to handle the board in the opposite direction and building confidence riding switch.

How to Do It

1. Pick up speed sliding backward in fakie, with your weight even over both feet.
2. Find the “new” tail, the end that’s normally your nose, and load it by bending your knees.
3. Pop off that tail (in fakie, it’s under the foot you normally lead with), pushing down hard.
4. Bring your front knee up (now the one pointing downhill) to help the board lift off and stay level.
5. Land on both feet with soft knees, then either keep riding fakie or go back to your normal direction.

Common Mistakes

• Panicking in fakie: riding backward makes a lot of riders uneasy. Before you try the fakie ollie, practice riding fakie on an easy run until you feel comfortable.
• Popping off the wrong foot: remember that the pop point changes in fakie. Mix it up and you’ll get a crooked jump or a fall.
• Looking down: keep your head up and your eyes in the direction of travel (downhill), not on the board.

Progression

After the fakie ollie, try the Fakie Frontside 180 to get back to your normal direction in style, or work on the Pivot Backside 180 to get a feel for spins in fakie.