Improve your balance and comfort |10 exercises for skaters

[@SarahParkMatott]

I thought I'd add one extra thought if you made it to the comment section! Don't worry about trying all of these in a day or week. Pick one or two you want to work on and go for it. Add another when you want to. Mix, match, explore, experiment. All the good skate stuff 💪

[@guzzigal]

I completely agree. I'd rather take a year learning to balance on one foot at a time while moving than fail at tricks because I'm not steady. Much of dancing requires your foot at the edge of the board while carving. If I can do that, along with push and stop effectivly, I'll have a solid foundation to build on.

[@Jiggityjax]

Hey I have watched a couple of your videos and I think you're great I love the information you put out it's very straightforward and just very good information and specially what you said at the end there you know just keep pushing push strong push steady man I love that so much thank you for your content have a great day

[@SarahParkMatott]

@@Jiggityjax ah thank you! I really appreciate that 🙏 I love talking about this stuff, so it awesome to hear that.

[@Avaloctus]

Hey, thank you so much for coming up with this video. I'm an old chunk of coal 😋, around 50 years of age and just started to skate again 'round 2 month ago. These are exercises I can do in my winter garden since the weather isn't that stable. Well, ' wish you all the best. Stay healthy... Greetings from over the big pond outa Germany.✌

[@alyssac9259]

Watching your videos I'm working on foot stomps, caveman and boneless and making great progress so far. Thank you for your tips.

[@Grazzhopper]

I recently started skating after wanting to try it for decades (but I was afraid of getting hurt, looking stupid...) and finding people like you on here has been amazing! I love your videos. :D

[@SarahParkMatott]

ah that's awesome! Welcome to skateboarding 🙌 Glad you've enjoyed the videos!

[@jontv6390]

I agree Sarah is great…..don’t be afraid to look dumb, just do your thing coz it’s totally wort it….and pad up and wear that helmet, learn how to fall, and just expect to fall…have fun!!!

[@Grazzhopper]

@@jontv6390 Thanks so much for your comment 😀 That's what I'm doing now, wearing protective gear and just going for it , having a great time!

[@alysakoepke6022]

Sarah is also the reason I was able to start skating and overcoming those same fears of judgement! You got this! There's an amazing community waiting for you 😉

[@Grazzhopper]

@@alysakoepke6022 So cool! Thanks for sharing that :D

[@papajoenh]

Sarah knows. Be like Sarah. So grateful for your excellent tutelage!

[@SarahParkMatott]

Haha thanks Papa Joe 🙏

[@SebastianGolec]

I've started skating year ago and I am still not comfortable enough to do those exercises. I am usually cruising around, even at quite fast speed but stainding skateboard scares me like a tool of murder. Finally, with your help, I will be able to do something with it! Thank you!

[@SarahParkMatott]

haha it's all about the little steps! 💪 if you can cruise around like that, you can definitely use these to up those skills 🙌

[@SebastianGolec]

@@SarahParkMatott I would like to ask you, how was you overcoming your fear at the beginning of your skateboarding journey? I think that's my biggest problem. I may be better than I am thinking about myself but because of my fear I am never trying, which makes me stay at lower skill level that I could be.

[@SarahParkMatott]

@@SebastianGolec I've been a bit of scaredy cat my whole life. How I liked skating is a mystery in itself. But, I over came it mostly through 3 things. 1. Taking the time in my foundations and going back to them over and over again. Because it's easy to get swept up in learning new stuff, but comfort for me is found at the beginning. So, I'd often remind myself to go back and practice those skills/tricks 2. Finding those skills and tricks that are just outside of my comfort zone and pushing there! The tricks that make you nervous and excited to try. Any trick I am flat out afraid of just means I'll spend all session bailing with no chance--which isn't always bad. Sometimes that too can desensitize you to the fear. But, I prefer to find my inbetween steps. Which leads to the 3rd thing. Being patient. Taking the time in the foundations, letting myself try things that are scary without zero hope of landing it just to get started. It took me about 250 hours of skating. Almost 2 years before I got to the point where I felt really comfortable. To the point where I felt excited to try hard tricks instead of nervous because I built up so much confidence in my skating. Getting to that point is a little different for everyone though.

[@lianneviera8450]

This is by far the best skate video I have seen. So sensible and achievable with some hard work. I turned 52 in January and decided to take up Longboarding but these exercises are so good. You are making awesome Content. Thanks for your commitment and educational content 🙂

[@pixelchu]

Been lurking on this channel for a while, it’s a hidden gem for sure

[@thundernixon]

This is a super valuable video, and I hope a lot of beginners find it! One big thing I would add is that footbraking really unlocked skating / cruising for me, and I wish I had known about it way earlier. I figured it out in part by doing those one-foot balancing rolls. Related: one foot balancing is probably a lot harder to do stationery than moving, so I would maybe suggest starting it on carpet or grass, where the board is more stable. Many of these movements are actually way more challenging than they look at first. I’m a bit over a year in, and I still would take awhile to figure out the final few. I’ll start working on those!

[@bleakcandour]

Footbraking is amazing, deceptively easy aswell. Started practicing it early, along with running up to get speed. Good stuff!

[@technogear5175]

For me footbraking almost as hard as manual, because on high speed saving balance on both legs is hard, and while u try to break u need to do it one leg which is impossible to me, at least for now, I'm only beginner

[@Aylin_Wild]

I'm glad I found your channel! I just started skateboarding and my balance is horrendous. Just did my first successful push without feeling like I was going to bust my butt. Thank you!

[@Str8representing]

1:11 pushing air on board 2:28 nose touch squats 2:44 look back 3:18 step down & switch 3:40 jump on & off 4:14 rotating hops 4:40 hippie jumps 5:38 rolling hippie jumps 5:52 body varials 6:39 hop to pretzel 7:48 1 foot shuffle

[@dviikaaaa]

you're my biggest inspiration. i started skateboarding a month ago and at first i was really awkward on the board. but after watching your tutorials, ive deffo improved so thank you so much!

[@SarahParkMatott]

ah that's awesome! Really happy to hear that 🙌

[@cameronfagan3656]

Ur a genius. Been trying to get better and it has been a struggle. Thanks for the tip I am getting better with ur help

[@XXjg_]

So fundamental and logical! I’ve never seen these physics and balance basics presented in such a straightforward yet important way. These foundations are so seemingly obvious that they’re overlooked and rarely ever focused on. Invaluable! Thank you!

[@NinaMietze171]

this is exactly what i need, i am still sooo insecure on the board and have just been riding, riding, riding, so these exercises will give me a way to get a bit ahead!!

[@SarahParkMatott]

Ah, I certainly hope so! I think they're a great addition to riding, to be able to keep challenging ourselves 😃

[@dioune32]

This is such a good video. I'm just starting and I don't have too many issues with balance but I really don't feel comfortable nor confident on the board at all, I'm sure all this will help a lot!

[@Busywave]

Thank you so much. My main trouble is balancing. And I was so hung up on the “regular and goofy” thing. Doing these exercises with both feet made me realize I am indeed goofy.

[@Renee-u7w]

It seems like the season changed in a week. Cloudy and your bundled with a sweater. Definitely a good lesson for warming up in cooler weather. Stay warm during your sessions!

[@andrewchandler9303]

ive literally been looking for this exact video, thanks a lot for the help!

[@Oldgods9]

A tutorial like this has desperately been needed. Thank you Sarah! Your breakdowns on fundamentals show how possible it is for anyone to learn how to skate. Awesome job!

[@SarahParkMatott]

Ahh thanks! :D It's 💯 percent possible for anyone to learn to skate and to take as long as they want/need to get where they want to go 💪

[@corycombsbass]

Quality advice and great teaching

[@it9779]

Thank you!!! Your exercises have helped me a ton!!!!

[@sakreth1113]

Great exercises, I feel my pushing much comfortable. What I also recommend for beginners is getting a wobble cushion. It feels like balancing on a skateboard which has very loose trucks. These wobble cushion exercieses helped me a lot: one foot balancing, one foot balancing while closing my eyes (this really eliminates and visual help and train your ankles to auto-do their balance), hopping on and land on one foot - both foot. If you are mastered these you can put a spare deck on the wobble cushion and try boardslide balance. After these exercises pushing on a real skateboard felt so easy and comfortable!

[@beerwine1000]

These are all great fundamentals ! She deserves more merits with these tutorials 👏

[@firstname-lastname]

Your channel is such a goldmine of great advice, thanks :)

[@SarahParkMatott]

ah, thank you!

[@tangyunagi]

Incorporated the step off switch into my session today and it was so much fun, definitely picked up more speed than I could handle and ate it a few times 😆

[@backoffice5310]

You're the ONLY person talking about these topics. BRAVO for you Sarah! 🎉

[@SarahParkMatott]

ah, thank you! 🙏 Stoked you're enjoying the videos and topics

[@jefz1576]

That's a great start 👍. I would love to find an exercice to get balance on landing one foot. If I can land a trick one foot, it is locked. But I can't land one foot with my back foot, so every tricks with it seems hard. Maybe Ollie/switch one foot landed will do it, if you have any tips I'll take it. Anyway love your content, keep going. 🕶️

[@SarahParkMatott]

learning to land one footed in my experience can also help with learning how to catch the board. Definitely helped me understand better how to catch a shove it. That was my first one footed trick. Shove it, hippie jump even. Just jumping onto the board with one foot. I also find landing at a slight angle to help a lot. So, not having your heel and toes perfectly in line with the edges, but letting the foot be angled like a typical (front foot) kickflip position. Landing at an angle leaves your knee in a much more natural position to adjust to any movements. That was what I learned doing them. I think it's safer to land with your toes facing the nose than with your toes facing the toeside edge of the board if that makes sense. Just to combat how to you respond to slipping out. Forward vs sideways.

Those exercises are so good! Can't believe more people aren't teaching those

[@SarahParkMatott]

Thank you Luis 🙏😃

[@beenishkhan9808]

A tip in this video helped me finally get my balance on the board. Previously, I was pushing with my whole feet, but after watching this video, I started pushing with only my toes, and that was it! That got me the balance. Now I'm onto next steps. Thank you very much, Sarah! Your video helped me not quit, and keep going. Sincerer thanks

[@SarahParkMatott]

ahhh "helped me not quit" I'm so happy to hear that. Keep pushing and having fun 💪

[@wonyoungroh7083]

I will continue to push steady and strong. Thank you very much for drawing the lines on the skateboard and showing us where to focus. - Derek Roh

[@mavinmusicmethod]

I did this as part of my skate basics month. Such a great fundamental..

[@Nora_Nora_Uwu]

Your tutorials are really helping me and my friend. Whenever we try a new trick we check your channel to see if there is a video about it. I like the way you take the trick apart and explain every detail about it. Thank you!

[@SarahParkMatott]

Thanks Nora! I always try to get as many details as I can. Stoked you’ve found value in the videos so far! 💪

[@bartallen8121]

I really like your guidance and tips, I always had this fear of skating switch and I'm definitely going to use these tips to help me with balance

[@okosakaroklenni]

Nice tutorial! I'm coming from snowboarding and wakeboarding, and was missing this kind of "ability build-up". Tried to come up with a few myself, but your set is far more extensive :) thanks

[@ayookusanya5437]

This is an Awesome video. I'm grateful x

[@gabojojot4907]

Hello! i'm recently found your KZbin channel and its very helpful for us, the beginners. I started to skate this year and it's a little frustrating because i'm feeling a little old for this, I'm 32 years old but when i saw your videos you gave me the commitment, the confidence and motivation to keep going with this. This weekend i'm going to put in practice all your advice. Thank you very much! greetings from Argentina. (sorry for my poor English).

[@SarahParkMatott]

I'm really glad to hear that! I hope you keep having fun and sticking with it. Skating is hard, but you're never too old! 🙌 (Also, your English is great.)

[@guzzigal]

I came across your channel searching for ways to improve balance on one foot. This video was the best I found on the subject, giving clear excercises to practice. I've since watched several of your videos and I like your take on learning to skate and trick progression. I turn 56 this month, and this year's goal is to ride my new longboard dancer confidently. After I get the basics of balance, breaking, riding switch, and carving down, I hope to add some basic dance moves (cross step, peter pan, 180 step, look-back, and maybe manual). My kids liked the board so much that we've added a longboard carver and a mini-cruiser for them to ride. I'm now looking for a decent double-kick park board for ollie-free flat-ground tricks and general skate park fun.

[@SarahParkMatott]

ah, that's awesome to hear! 😃 Really glad there were some exercises in here that you think will be helpful. I know the stronger my legs become individually, the better I ride in general 😃 And welcome to all the new boards. Hope you keep having fun playing skateboards 🙌

[@StuffnThings42]

I’m going to do a bunch of these as I recover from a sprained ankle. Thanks for the video! These are really good exercises for becoming more comfortable, not just for beginners, but after an injury.

[@SarahParkMatott]

ah totally agree! They're good for anyone looking to work on balance and comfort!

[@bartallen8121]

Watching your videos I learnt stuff that I never seen before, they may be beginner exercises but they are great for any skater who is willing to learn new stuff and to improve on their techniques Stepping down to switch, rotating hops, hops to pretzels and the shuffle are stuff that I definitely need to try soon

[@SarahParkMatott]

Definitely! I mean really...the exercises are for anyone looking to build up balance. Which is why I went up to such difficult skills at the end. I wanted them to scale up in skill level! But it's hard to name videos 😂

[@BennyEatsCheese]

Looks like some of the stuff I’ve been doing to recover from injuries 😮

[@JuanShinken]

Thank you for ur content, ur videos are one of the most useful for beginners and not so beginner. Please, continue!!! Greetings from Spain

[@SarahParkMatott]

Thank you Juan! I'm happy to hear that 😃 greetings to you in Spain!

[@sloveniesta]

This is really helpful. My pushing on the board needs a lot of work.

[@naidamz6639]

your explanation is awesome! easy and comfort!

[@finchytv12]

Another GREAT video, Sarah! Thanks for the consistent high quality content. My skating has definitely improved since finding your channel. Thank you.

[@SarahParkMatott]

ah thank you! I'm really happy to hear that 😃 Keep having fun!

[@guilhermecahu]

Today is rainy and I took the time to practice two of those exercises.

[@shortreed]

Great video, as usual, and some totally helpful principles and practices. Thanks!😃

[@Yuki_573]

This channel deserves more subs

[@SarahParkMatott]

ah, thank you! 😃

[@DeniseNepraunig]

Such a good video!! Thank you Sarah! Riding with only one foot has helped me tremendously improve my balance and improved my pushing so much!!

[@SarahParkMatott]

ahh, right? It made such a big difference for me too. That's awesome! 🙌

[@FullCodedAlchemist]

The shuffle seems really tricky and intimidating, but I'll plan on trying it :o

[@aarontrahan448]

I’m so happy I just got my board today. I’ve wanted to skate forever but so many of my friends and family went insane when I said I wanted to. I can’t wait to get out and start skating.

[@SarahParkMatott]

welcome to skateboarding 🙌 hope you have fun with it!

[@ฟอเร็กซ์หมูกระทะ]

Thank a lot for the clip I just begin pushing even I am 48 now.

[@d2h655]

Hi Sarah! Thanks!

[@daviddd2240]

As a beginner this video is very helpfull. Appreciate how you breakdown the learning process and share so many valuable tips. Thanks a lot Sarah! Greetings from France.

[@SarahParkMatott]

Thanks David! 🙏 Greetings to you in France!

[@middle-agedclimber]

Those are really useful, thank you!

[@nathangrey6903]

Thanks for advices, Sarah

[@bleakcandour]

Yeah man I realized that pushing actually good is all about that single leg strength and coordination. I have an athletic background and my legs are really strong but those little feet muscles are so underdeveloped and this is where skateboarding comes into play. I've also managed to understand that turning while only using your front leg is actually all about those micro adjustments and shifting weight from one point of contact of the feet to another (left-right). Scary at first, but SO worth it. Thanks a bunch Sarah for the amazing content you put out, you're definitely THE shit!

[@SarahParkMatott]

Ah,💯 ! Looks like you totally got it 😃 stoked you enjoyed the video too. Keep shredding 💪

[@holke79]

Great content as usual! I love your shoes. Looking good!

[@SarahParkMatott]

ah, thanks! I love the color of these shoes too!

[@SP00NGEB0B]

I just started skateboarding a month ago and this really helped alongsode your foot positioning video because I was stuck in an uncomforting position, but the point is that I can't jump up on the board, the one time I tried it, I fell bad and hurt my wrist bad and now I'm really scared to even jump on the board, forget about hippie jumps on board.

[@SarahParkMatott]

if you're not in a rush, I'd just take a break from it. Push around. Work on other stuff 💪 Building up confidence in other areas can only help when you want to start working on jumps again--which can always start in the grass or on carpet or somewhere!

[@galin3world]

Cool somes new exercises to work my balance. Verry good video as usual tanks a lot.

[@josephgarza9225]

Thank you

[@sr7olsniper]

I am going to follow this to the T. I am 35 and recently started skating. From the looks of it i am goofy but I do want to get comfortable riding switch for cruising purposes. I did find that its hard for me to ride swtich at all because I cant stand with my other leg on the board like I can with my Right leg. I will be following your advice and see if that develops my leg muscles to be able to get more comfortable riding either way. Thanks for the tips!

[@SarahParkMatott]

Thank you! I'm glad you liked the video. I really hope it helps!

[@tc-3]

THANK YOU!

[@thedarkriver1]

Starting all these tricks on my carpet right now!👍

[@JRJJ-pk4pd]

As soon as I stand on the board I get the goofy ahh banana peel slip fall

[@aether388]

That tends to happen when you let your weight get too far off center (i.e. on one foot or the other, or the front of the board vs the back), it also is easier for that to happen when you're not rolling - and when you are rolling if you hit a bump etc. The balancing exercises she mentioned here should help with strengthening your muscles and coordination and that will help prevent it too, you'll get better at keeping yourself centered over the board as you progress with that. Keeping your knees a little bent and not putting your full weight onto the board until it's moving can also help (the former you should pretty much always do, the latter is more helpful when you're starting out and situational after that)

[@nooboard]

I want to add one easy one which I do quiet often: switching nollie and regular stanze with just a simple hop. Can be also any other stance to setup a trick. Just switching between the stances you know with just one little hop.

[@ConstanzaRigazio]

Very helpful tips! I also want to say I love your outfit in this video! I need to know where you got it🤩

[@SarahParkMatott]

haha thank you! 😂 the pants are from target (mens section), and the sweater is a waltz skateboarding one that can be bought online

[@ConstanzaRigazio]

@@SarahParkMatott thanks! I don’t know if we have those in the UK but I’ll try to find them!

[@SarahParkMatott]

@@ConstanzaRigazio oh well, I do believe waltz has a UK online shop! 😃 Target, maybe not 😂

[@morphosis7655]

Good exercises 👍

[@LRXC1]

Should I do these before trying to do any sort of tricks?

[@SarahParkMatott]

You can! The first couple also make a good warm up in my opinion. Depends what’s fun for you 😃

[@LRXC1]

@@SarahParkMatott thank you!!!

[@CrashOut3li]

I haven’t ride a skateboard in 14 years I was really comfortable riding my board back then now I got a new board that I customize myself I’m not sure If I don’t have the skill to stand on it comfortably I can ride it and turn but there’s too much lean when standing on it I put my truck on super tight so idk 😭

[@elaec1177]

Hı! I started new and I'm trying to learn by myself, your videos are very good😍 I don't drive very often, once a week.sometimes the wheel gets stuck on small stones when going straight😔 how many millimeter is the wheel thickness?

[@SarahParkMatott]

my wheels are often 54mm! And welcome to skateboarding!

[@lynetttte]

i just started learning. can i do these on a mini cruiser (with bigger and softer wheels)?

[@SarahParkMatott]

They're possible on any skateboard 💯. But, the extra weight and big, soft wheels make them much harder in my experience. They basically need more strength to fight the extra resistance. And the loose trucks make it flip easier. Especially for a beginner. Even now, every time I try to get a shove it on my cruiser, I get massive shinners 😖

[@rachelrobinson9736]

I'm recovering from a sprained ankle and thought this would be great to slowly get my self on the board again without causing anymore injury... how when practising the look back (I'm a beginner by the way) have I just planted the ground as hard as I just did!? Next KZbin search...how to fall... 😄 🤣

[@SarahParkMatott]

ah, hope some of these can help with that ankle! Hope you're back on the board at full strength soon 💪 (And everything in skateboarding is hard 😂 hope the plant wasn't too bad!)

[@rachelrobinson9736]

Aw thankyou so much for replying. Honestly I watch your videos everyday and your really helping me just figure my board out!! I hope your super proud of yourself for how far you have come! Keep the videos coming please 🙏 🙂 😀

[@SarahParkMatott]

@@rachelrobinson9736 ah thanks Rachel! I'm always really happy to hear when my videos are helpful. I'll keep doing my best to make more 💪Keep having fun skating!

[@Punkrides]

basic and fundamentals thats the key..

[@adambeckers4423]

Right.

[@darkwriter_xx94]

Don’t know if you have a video on your gear, but what wheels are you using in this video?

[@SarahParkMatott]

I have a few different ones. These are the mode 55mm 95a freestyle wheels 💪

[@tugger]

nice to see you rocking the lakais

[@SarahParkMatott]

They’ve got great board feel 💪

[@pablovirus]

thanks sarah! I hav a question, sometimes when I hippy jump while rolling the board seems to slow down and I land way too much forward, like almost on the nose, and it's become scary to try again. Am I doing something wrong? Maybe not jumping perfectly over the bolts? For some reason body varials seem less scary and natural to me because this slowing down of the board is not so pronounced

[@SarahParkMatott]

It's possible you're accidentally pushing the board a little bit when you jump (ie not jumping straight up)! But, the board slowing down a little bit is natural. You can try to roll a little bit faster! That often will help too💪

[@deadlizard64]

right?

[@karlsonmackay1453]

❤❤

[@Leo-pd8ww]

After a jump I keep landing with my feet together instead of on the bolts. It's a very persistent mental block.

[@SarahParkMatott]

That in and of itself is a great exercise too! I used to practice jumping feet together to feet apart up onto the board 🙌 Good addition here!

[@SuperKingbunny]

Yaaayy

[@ענברגולנדסקי]

U cun do guid how to heelflip ?

[@SarahParkMatott]

I'd love to, but I'm not good enough at them. The guide will be really similar to my kickflip one though I think. It's got a lot of the same fundamentals!

[@Cowb0y-gaming22]

I wanna know honestly how many times u shot the beginning of this video just to get the movement fluent 😂

[@noemotions999]

ur d bst 🤌🏻

[@silasohien7506]

When u say push with the balls of ur feet do you mean push with ur toes ?

[@SarahParkMatott]

Ah, good point! Well, the toes are involved of course. But, I'd say the power comes from the contact with the ball of my foot and then the toes are there to help 😃

[@silasohien7506]

@ I still don’t quite understand sorry been trying to learn to push for a few days new to skateboarding

[@SarahParkMatott]

@ ah no worries! I think in the beginning you can think of pushing the same way you walk. That “heel, ball of foot, toes” motion as the foot rolls forward. I would step onto the board like you step normally. And then over time as you get more comfortable riding, your pushing should naturally improve too.

[@silasohien7506]

@ I do but I all ways put more weight on my left foot I do try the balance exercises but I still put to much weight on my left foot trying to push off

[@SarahParkMatott]

@ it definitely takes some time to start reducing the weight on that pushing foot. It’s rare that we are doing single leg isometric holds in semi-squats in our daily lives. If you put in a little consistent effort, you’ll be able to do it in no time💪

[@kuttyw]

what is your boy name? you look like more of John Lennon RN

[@HowlingMad86]

I guess i like Skateboards...