How to Brake on a Skateboard?

Like any other activity, skateboarding involves expertise in specific techniques and strategies before they can be mastered. You must first master how to break on a skateboard without falling off to perform tricks, carve complex curves, and ride up a steep hill effectively.

If you don’t know how to brake and slow down while skating, you won’t be able to perform tricks like heelflips, kickflips, and nollies. Furthermore, if you’re thinking of skating faster than the average person, likely, you have not mastered the correct way to brake. In this article, we’ll go over the best techniques for both novice and expert skaters to brake on a skateboard.

Braking Methods for Skateboarding

Slowing down is the simplest way to stop, but it’s not the ideal option if you need to stop instantly or in an urgent situation. We’ll go over a variety of stopping techniques that will be suitable for both inexperienced and seasoned riders. Although our methods are effective, that isn’t the only braking method. Once you learn to skate safely, you’ll find that you will fall less and have complete control over yourself.

Note: To reduce the risk of injury, skateboarders should always wear helmets.

Learning how to brake on a skateboard should always be your top priority when getting into the sport.

Here are some methods for stopping and slowing a skateboard.

1. Foot Brake

The best method of braking is using your foot. To do this, simply drag your back foot along the ground while pushing your front foot forward to create friction between your shoe’s bottom and the ground.

The front foot must be facing the front tip of a skateboard as you execute this halting maneuver. The front foot should also have an excellent grip to control the board.

To provide adequate friction, the back foot should be straight on the ground.

2. Front brake

The front brake is different from the other braking methods. To use this technique, put as much force as possible while placing your front foot on the upper edge of the front truck. The pressure on the front wheels will cause them to grind against the ground. Then apply pressure on your front foot when you notice the board getting slower, and then carefully place your back foot. Just be careful not to lose your balance.

3. Hand Brake

Using a brake pedal to control a skateboard is challenging yet effective for low-speed skating. Placing both hands on the front of your board and pressing on the downward side will help you to brake using this technique. Squeeze firmly to sufficiently reduce speed and increase friction.

Moreover, using a front brake while riding at high speed is not advised because it could cause you to tumble. Be sure to slow down sufficiently before attempting this technique.  Also, get ready for your entire body to shake using this braking technique because it uses your shoulder as a damper.

Reminder: Avoid using the front brake when riding over obstacles, as it may result in a loss of balance or risky situations.

4. Push Back method

The push-back method can be used to halt a skateboard going downhill. The only action required when adopting this braking technique is to transfer your body weight rearward to equalize the motion and let it take care of the rest. If all goes according to plan, the board will start to slow down.

Tilt backward while maintaining posture by placing your rear foot on the bottom of the back truck. The more pressure applied to the board, the quicker you will move. To avoid getting wounded, refrain from jumping off before you understand how to manage your speed.

5.  Leaping Off

This is a standard and easy method of slowing down a skateboard. Just leap off the board and let inertia slow you down when moving too quickly. Avoid falling over or hitting your head while leaping to prevent harm.

Please be aware that this braking technique should only be used on soft ground like grass . Because if you jump off the board and fall on other things, like pebbles or pavement, it will cause a lot of trouble and could damage the board or injure you.

Attempting this without being confident could lead to stumbling or falling over.

6. Tail Scrapping

If you use this effective braking technique, you’ll have total control over your skateboard. You will exert pressure on the board’s bottom tip to pull it across the ground when tail scraping. It will generate friction and act as a brake to gently reduce your pace.

This strategy has one major drawback each time you attempt to slow down or accelerate; you will lose equilibrium. If done incorrectly, this could cause you to fall. Make sure you’re using this method in an open area without obstacles.

7. Power Sliding

Power sliding relies on the idea of stopping one rear wheel to cause it to slide across the surface quickly. This causes friction, reduces speed, and ultimately causes a complete stop. Although the technique is incredibly successful, it must be used with exact timing. The technique of power sliding takes some time to perfect. A careless move or small mistake could ruin your board or badly harm you.

Remember that you should only slide the board if your gears are smooth; otherwise, they will stumble, and you will ultimately fall to the ground.

How to brake on a Skateboard Downhill

On a slope, skateboards glide more quickly and are more tricky to stop. When you’re moving too quickly downward, your wheels could tie up. If the brakes are not applied correctly, this could result in a loss of stability or loss of control.

To increase friction against the ground, we advise moving your weight rearward slightly and sliding the rear wheels. It will consequently slow things down.

These three methods are the most secure ones for stopping a skateboard heading downhill;

Carving

This strategy is most effective when skating on concrete or other areas with impediments. With your body shifted to one edge of the board, twist the board at such an angle to eventually slow down. The wheels will proceed in that direction as a result and can then roll gradually without incurring any destruction.

Braking Crosswise

Using a downhill skateboard requires the same skill. To slow down slightly without jumping or losing control, exert force on both the front and rear brakes simultaneously.

The Emergency brake

To protect riders from slipping off the edge when riding downhill, most skateboards have a unique grip tape design on the front. By pressing down on this long rubber tube or grip tape while simultaneously grasping the bottom of the board with the other hand, you may swiftly control your board using this method. When used correctly, this trick is beneficial and can prevent severe injury.

Reasons why it’s essential to master skateboarding brakes:

It’s Safer – Skaters who lose control over their speed are more likely to glide down the slopes and lose track or collide with objects at full speed. You are less likely to cause harm to yourself or others around you by losing control if you learn how and where to slow yourself down when skating.

By learning specific techniques for breaking on a skateboard, you can gain speed in situations like a plain surface by making quick spins using your backhand side.

Once you start commuting, it makes it easier for you to move around quickly. Need to get somewhere but do not wish to walk?

You can travel way faster than you would by walking if you learn the proper techniques for braking on a skateboard.

Your skating ability will improve as a result- Once you master braking on a skateboard, you’ll have much more control and stabilization while skating. Because of this, performing stunts and riding down slopes will be easier for you, and there will be little chance that you’ll fall and hurt yourself.

Final verdict

After reading the above-discussed methods for braking on a skateboard, you should now know how to do so.

Remember that slowing a skateboard safely is crucial for the central commute and the safety of others around you. Additionally, remember that each strategy has pros and cons, so before using one, you should determine which one is appropriate for your conditions and the state of the road.

Select the right board if you’re a newbie and learning to skate.

Choose the one that is most comfortable for you to begin with. However, put each technique to practice because you never know when you’ll need one.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How can I stop my skateboard quickly?

You can brake on a skateboard quickly by executing power slides. Power sliding works on the idea of holding one back wheel to cause it to glide across the surface quickly. This causes friction, reduces speed, and ultimately causes a complete stop.

Although the technique is incredibly successful for stopping a speeding skateboard, it must be executed with exact timing. The skill of power sliding takes some time to perfect. A careless move or small mistake could ruin your board or severely injure you.

Does it hurt when you fall off a skateboard?

Although falling off a skateboard hurts, the excitement of learning and rolling keeps skaters motivated to get back on their boards. It is recommended to wear safety equipment at all times when using a skateboard to reduce the risk of severe accidents.

Is it challenging to learn to skateboard?

Yes, having to learn to ride a skateboard is challenging and takes a lot of time and perseverance. To ride like a pro, steadiness is very important. To skate a skateboard for a few meters without tumbling, it can take about two weeks to learn how to keep your body on it. It will become simpler afterward if you practice consistently and with determination.