Once you’ve mastered individual tricks on your skateboard, the next level of progression is combining these moves into seamless sequences. Advanced skateboarding trick combinations open up a whole new realm of creativity, style, and technical prowess. Instead of performing isolated tricks, you learn to weave them together, building momentum and flow that impress spectators and elevate your skills. Whether you’re skating in a park, street, or bowl, understanding how to link tricks will help you express yourself and push your abilities further.
The Art of Combining Tricks in Advanced Skateboarding
Combining tricks is much like creating a dance routine on your skateboard. It’s not just about landing individual moves but connecting them in a way that feels natural, fluid, and exciting. This artistry requires a good grasp of your personal style, an understanding of your board’s movement, and the ability to anticipate what’s coming next. When you string several tricks together on a single run or even within one trick’s execution, it becomes a trick combination.
Advanced combinations can include linking flip tricks through grinds, manuals, slides, and aerials. The key is maintaining balance and control while moving smoothly from one maneuver to the next. This flow not only makes the tricks look better but also minimizes the energy you expend, helping you skate longer and reduce your risk of falls.
How to Select Tricks That Flow Well Together
Not all tricks naturally fit into sequences, so picking the right moves to combine is essential. To create cohesive trick combos, consider these factors:
- Similar Stances: Choose tricks that work with your preferred stance (regular or goofy) or allow you an easy stance switch.
- Board Control: Pick tricks that give you enough time and control to set up the next move, especially tricks with stable landings.
- Motion Momentum: Think about how the momentum from one trick can carry into the next. For example, a nollie kickflip landing can flow into a manual more naturally than into an abrupt grind.
- Complexity Balance: Balance simpler tricks with more advanced ones so combos don’t become too overwhelming to control or too risky.
Start by pairing easier tricks that feel comfortable and gradually add complexity. Experimenting on flat ground before bringing combinations into a skatepark or streetscape will help you feel which tricks naturally flow.
Techniques for Transitioning Smoothly Between Tricks
Smooth transitions are what elevate basic combos into advanced ones. To shift effortlessly from one trick to another, focus on these techniques:
- Body Positioning: Keep your weight centered over the board, and prepare your shoulders and hips to rotate or move in sync with the board to maintain balance when landing and taking off.
- Foot Placement: Adjust your feet subtly during the landing of the first trick to get into the ideal setup for the next trick’s pop or grind.
- Timing and Rhythm: Maintain a consistent rhythm. Don’t pause too long between tricks; instead, use the landing of one to immediately initiate the next.
- Focus on Rolling: Keep your wheels rolling smoothly. Stopping or hesitation is often what breaks combos and causes falls.
Practicing the body flow and timing is crucial. Film yourself or get feedback from friends to spot rough transitions so you can improve them.
Drills to Practice and Perfect Combinations
Building trick combinations requires consistent practice drills designed to improve coordination, timing, and control. Here are some effective drills:
- Flatground Linking: Practice simple combos like ollie to shove-it or kickflip to manual on flat ground repeatedly until movements feel automatic.
- Manual to Grind Drill: Focus on manuals transitioning into ledge grinds or rail slides, tweaking your balance and board control.
- Speed Control Drills: Skate at varying speeds to find the sweet spot where combos flow best without losing stability.
- Pop and Flow Drill: Work on pop tricks connected directly to ledge or rail tricks, pushing your timing and landing adaptability.
Use these drills in short sessions multiple times a week. Gradual improvement over time will make your combinations feel natural and effortless.
Common Combination Examples and How to Build Your Own
To inspire your creativity, here are a few classic advanced trick combinations that pro skaters often use:
- Kickflip to Smith Grind: Kickflip onto a ledge followed by a smooth Smith grind slide.
- Manual to Heelflip: Balancing in a manual before popping into a heelflip for fluidity.
- Ollie to Boardslide to 180 Out: Ollie up to a rail, boardslide, and spin out 180 degrees.
- Nollie Bigspin to Manual: A nollie bigspin pop followed by a manual to maintain speed and control.
Building your own combinations involves mixing tricks you’re confident with and experimenting with adding new tricks step by step. Start with two tricks, and once you master the linkage, try adding a third or fourth. Remember, creativity in combinations is about pushing boundaries while maintaining control and style.
Video Analysis and Inspiration from Professional Skaters
Watching professional skaters perform trick combinations is one of the best ways to learn advanced techniques and spark ideas. Study videos carefully:
- Note how skaters set up each trick with body and foot positioning.
- Observe the flow and timing between maneuvers.
- Look for less obvious transitions and how they maintain momentum.
- Pay attention to the styles they add to make combos uniquely theirs.
Some top skaters known for innovative combos include Nyjah Huston, Leticia Bufoni, and Chris Cole. Use slow-motion replays to break down difficult sections and emulate those movements in your practice.
Overcoming Challenges in Executing Combos
Advanced trick combinations don’t come easy, and hitting roadblocks is part of the process. Common challenges include stumbling transitions, loss of balance, and timing errors. Here are tips to overcome them:
- Break It Down: Divide combos into smaller sections and drill each repeatedly before trying the full sequence.
- Increase Confidence: Spend time refining individual tricks until they’re second nature, reducing mental strain.
- Focus on Relaxation: Tension can disrupt flow; practice deep breathing and relaxed shoulders to stay loose.
- Seek Feedback: Skate with others who can give constructive advice or watch yourself on video to spot issues.
- Stay Patient: Persistence is key — give yourself time to adjust to the complexity of combos.
Safety Considerations During Complex Sequences
Attempting advanced trick combinations increases risk, so safety should always be a priority. Keep these precautions top of mind:
- Wear Protective Gear: Helmets, wrist guards, knee and elbow pads can prevent serious injury in falls.
- Scout Your Terrain: Make sure the skating surface is smooth, clean, and free from obstacles.
- Warm-Up Properly: Warming up your muscles and joints reduces injury risk and improves performance.
- Know Your Limits: Avoid forcing combos you’re not ready for; build up gradually.
- Fall Smart: Learn how to fall safely to minimize injuries when combos don’t land as planned.
Skating with a buddy or in a supervised environment adds an extra layer of safety for attempting complex sequences.
Enhancing Style and Performance with Combinations
Mastering advanced skateboarding trick combinations is about more than just technical skill; it’s a way to inject your personal style and creativity into every session. When you combine tricks smoothly, your runs become more dynamic, expressive, and impressive to watch. These combos allow you to link up movements that reflect your skateboarding personality and make your style uniquely yours.
Beyond the visual appeal, combining tricks improves your board control, balance, and confidence, enriching your overall skateboarding performance. As you continue to experiment with new sequences and push your limits, you’ll unlock the full potential of your skateboarding journey.
