Which Foot to Push with on Skateboard?

You’ve bought your first skateboard. You’re pumped up, stoked and ready to roll. But before you start shredding, one of the most important things is to know how to push with the right foot. It may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s an easy mistake to make when you get your new set up. 

A wrong-footed push can make riding seem like a lot more work than it should be. Let’s see what’s what!

When learning how to skateboard, many newbies struggle with which foot to push when they’re in the middle of the board. Skaters call this the “push or pull” dilemma. While learning how to skate, the natural reaction is to push with the dominant foot.

For example, if you’re right-handed, chances are you will learn to push with your right foot. Chances are, you’ll find this to be the easiest and most natural way to push. But you should know that you can use your left foot as well!

Which Foot to Push With on The Skateboard?

There’s no right or wrong way to push with your skateboard. If you’re instantly more comfortable pushing with your dominant foot, then that’s how you should do it. But if you’re a little bit more comfortable pushing with the opposite foot, then go for it.

The most important thing is that you’re comfortable. If pushing with your left foot helps you feel more secure and natural on your board, then go for it.

Some skaters like to use their dominant foot, while others prefer to use the opposite. If you’re new to skateboarding, we suggest that you try both ways, and find out which works best for you.

By pushing with your dominant foot, you’re creating a push and pull scenario, which is the same method used for surfing, snowboarding, and other sport activities. For example, surfers need to push with their dominant foot to create a pull on their board.

How to Improve Your Pushing Skills in Skateboarding

Pushing is one of the first and most important things you learn to do on a skateboard. Pushing properly will not only make your skating more efficient, but it will also help you build up speed and momentum so you can do tricks and navigate around obstacles. Whether you’re just starting out or have been skating for a while, here are some tips on how to push like a pro.

Pushing Basics

To push properly, you want to maintain a straight body line parallel to the ground and make sure your weight is centered over the board. You should also keep your knees bent and your arms steady like a sprinter at the starting line.

As you’re moving down the street, keep your arms relaxed at your sides so that you can generate the most power.

Push From Your Core

When you’re pushing, make sure you’re using your core to generate power. When you’re pushing, you want to push from your tailbone and keep your midsection relaxed.

Push With a Purpose

Pushing is more than just getting around. Use short, efficient pushes to build up speed to get onto a ledge, or long pushes to build up speed to get to a rail or ramp.

Push downhill with your feet

Getting speed downhill is one of the most efficient ways to get speed. You can hold onto your board and just lean into the hill with your feet.

Ease Into Turns

When you take a turn, you want to get into it gradually. If you turn too quickly, you’ll lose control and most likely end up falling.

Use a Long Push to Build up Speed

Use a long push to build up speed for a run-up or for getting to a ledge. With a long push, you want to make sure your back foot is in front of your front foot and your arms are extended in front of your body.

Lean Into Your Push and Lean Back From It

To keep the weight of your body on the skateboard, lean forward as you push and lean back when you take a break.

What’s the Difference Between Regular and Goofy-Footed in Skateboarding?

When learning how to skateboard, you’ll find that there are two different footed positions, regular and goofy-footed.

A regular footed stance means that you stand with your left foot forward and your right foot back.

Goofy-footed stance means that you stand with your right foot forward and your left foot back.

The regular footed stance is the most common stance. It’s the one you’ll be used to when you’re learning how to skate.

The goofy-footed stance is the other option. It’s used for carving, cruising, and for tricks that require more speed.

The difference between the two footed stances is that the regular footed stance is the most natural stance for you. It’s the stance you’ll be comfortable with when you’re learning how to skate.

Is It Possible to Push Equally Well with Both Feet?

Yes and no. It depends on your personal preference. Traditional skateboarding is done with the right foot. This is the foot that’s used to push and the foot that will become more flexible over time.

However, if you want to switch up your stance, you can choose to use your left foot. Some skaters are equally comfortable with both feet. It’s largely a personal choice. Some people will find it easier to switch back to their dominant foot after they’ve been pushing with the opposite foot for a while.

Conclusion

Skateboarding is fun, but it’s even better when you know what you’re doing. Knowing which foot to use will help make skating a little easier, and will make all the difference when it comes to your long-term success as a skater.

We hope this article helped you figure out which foot you should use for pushing. If you have any other questions about pushing, let us know in the comments section below.