Cruising down concrete waves on your board, you spy a slick-looking ramp ahead. Your blood starts pumping as you ruminate over the looming challenge. You feel a tug of curiosity, prompting you to inquire: how can I ollie over that coping? We’re going to dissect the dynamics of executing a killer ollie over coping, even if you’re still pretty much a newbie skater. Grab your board, and let’s shred!
If you are a visual learner, check out the video below from YouTube.
What is an ollie over coping?
Just in case you’re new to this, an ollie is an essential trick in skateboarding where the rider leaps into the air, sans hands, while the skateboard sticks to their feet. Now, what’s this coping we’re talking about? It’s the lip of the bowl, pipe, or ramp that you’re aiming to conquer. And “ollie over coping” means to execute this move across that very edge, aiding in transitions or setting up more complex tricks.
How to ollie over coping
Knowing u003cstrongu003ehow to ollie over copingu003c/strongu003e correctly can easily notch up your street cred in the skateboarding community. Just keep in mind that it’s not about being the next Tony Hawk right off the bat. Everybody starts somewhere. Even those gnarly pros flubbed their first few attempts. The key is to understand and nail the fundamental mechanics of this trick. So, let’s roll.
Understand the basics
Before you even think about attempting a skate park, it’s crucial that you’re comfortable with a regular ollie on flat ground. If you’re not there yet, take a quick break and check out our u003ca href=u0022/tricks-and-performance/how-to-ollieu0022u003eguide on how to ollieu003c/au003e. It’s a solid choice to ensure you’re building on a well-cemented foundation.
u003cstrongu003eGet comfy with the ramp/bowlu003c/strongu003e
Jumping straight into ramp ollies can be a bit intimidating and definitely sketchy. Get to know your new playground. Practice going up and down the ramp, feeling out turns and rolls. Build up your confidence and understanding of how to carve a ramp, which we explore in our u003ca href=u0022/tricks-and-performance/how-to-carveu0022u003eguide to carvingu003c/au003e.
u003cstrongu003eStart smallu003c/strongu003e
Take it slow. Start your first few ollie attempts over smaller obstacles or lines on the flat section of the ramp. It’s not about height at this stage—it’s about feeling comfortable with the move
u003cstrongu003eBuild speedu003c/strongu003e
Next on our master plan is speed. Gradually increase how fast you approach the coping with each try. Bit by bit until you’re confident enough to tackle the full-sized version. And don’t look down! Instead, focus on the path ahead.
u003cstrongu003eThe leapu003c/strongu003e
Now we’re talking real business: The moment of truth! You’re looking to position your board parallel to the coping, right as you come up on it, for the best result. Pop a standard ollie when your front wheels hit the coping.
u003cstrongu003eClear and landu003c/strongu003e
In an ollie over coping, the main goal is to clear that bit of metal and land smoothly back on the ramp. Again, we’re shooting for beyond the coping—not just straight upwards. Remember to pull your knees up for maximum clearance.
u003cstrongu003eGet back in the grooveu003c/strongu003e
Upon landing, immediately return to a squat to prepare for the next ramp transition. This is your landing gear: bending your knees on impact absorbs the shock and helps maintain stability.
Dos and don’ts of ollieing over coping
An important part of understanding how to ollie over coping is recognizing some key dos and don’ts. The skatepark can be an adrenaline-charged space, stoked with riders pushing the envelope. However, maintaining control, observing etiquette, and valuing safety are paramount.
| Do | Don’t |
|---|---|
| Practice on a regular basis | Rush into doing coping ollies |
| Maintain a relaxed, balanced stance | Stiffen and lose control |
| Respect the park’s flow and other riders | Cut across other skaters’ lines |
| Wear your safety gear | Hit the park sans helmet or pads |
| Practise on a regular basis | Get discouraged and quit |
Additional ollie over coping tips
Here are some extras—a few more insider pointers to help you perfect your ollie over coping.
- Hang around the advanced shredders at the park. Observation is a fantastic teacher.
- Uncertainties and half-hearted approaches lead to sketchy outcomes. Pump up, commit to the pop, and conquer!
- A common pitfall is not bending your knees enough on approach, during the pop, and upon landing.
- Progress is slow initially, but don’t quit. You’ve got to push through the initial uphill battle.
My experience with ollie over coping
From my perspective, ollieing over coping is the next level of thrills, an exhilarating leap beyond flat-ground tricks that encapsulate the defiance of gravity at the heart of skateboarding. There’s a gut punch of fear every time I stand on top of that skatepark ramp, approaching the coping. It feels insane to attempt to clear that tangible barrier.
But when I get it right, it’s straight-up invigorating. I will confess that I spent a lot of time working on how to ollie on flat ground before attempting this move. It’s not about proving something to the other guys at the park. It’s a personal quest, a challenge I set for myself. Learning how to pop that ollie over, coping with just the right speed, bagging that gnarly landing, and rolling away.
That’s satisfaction on a whole new level. It’s a process, and every failed attempt is a learning experience. I still faceplant sometimes, but I keep getting back on my board and at it again. Nobody ever said glory was easy to achieve, right?
“Every failed attempt is a step closer to success. The key is to keep your stoke alive, your eyes on the prize, and your wheels spinning.”
Crack open our guide to honest skateboarding advice to understand the resilience and dedication this sport requires, all part of the unique shred-or-be-shred lifestyle we super-stoked skaters lead. Let’s keep pushing the limits!
Skateboarding tricks and their difficulty levels
Before we throw ourselves into mastering an ollie over coping, let’s take a moment to understand where this trick stands on the difficulty spectrum, along with other popular skateboard tricks. You know your playground, right? The following table provides a snapshot, with rated difficulty levels ranging from 1 to 5 (with 5 being the most challenging).
| Skateboarding Trick | Difficulty Level | Required Skills |
|---|---|---|
| Ollie | 1 | Basic balance and control |
| Kickflip | 2 | Ollie, board control |
| Pop Shove-it | 2 | Ollie, back foot control |
| Heelflip | 3 | Kickflip, board control |
| All above, plus the ability to gain and control air | 4 | Ollie, speed, ramp control |
| Grinding | 4 | Ollie, edge control |
| Vert Riding | 5 | All above, plus ability to gain and control air |
Advantages and disadvantages of ollie over coping
Performing an ollie over ramp coping comes with its share of pros and cons. It’s not a trick for the faint-hearted, yet the thrill and satisfaction it offers are monumental. Let’s weigh the good against the bad.
Advantages
- Adds variety and challenge to your flat-ground tricks
- Enhances your agility, reaction time, and board control
- Great basis for progression to more advanced vert tricks
- Provides a heart-pumping adrenaline rush — nothing like the sensation of landing that perfect ollie over coping
Disadvantages
- Requires dedicated practice and perseverance
- Risk of injury, particularly during the initial learning stages
- Demands strong basics, which is not ideal for absolute beginners
- It might seem daunting due to speed and the need for vertical height
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
A quest for knowledge always sparks curiosity and questions. We’ve got you covered! Here, we’re addressing some frequently asked questions that rookie skaters often have pertaining to the how-to ollie over coping trick.
What kind of skateboard is best for an ollie over coping?
The ideal skateboard for popping an ollie over coping is pretty much your go-to street or park skateboard. It’s all about stability and grip. Opt for a deck size that fits your shoe size and body type to augment control and balance. You’ll also want a good grip tape for foot retention during the trick. Looking for the perfect board? Dive into our comprehensive review of the lightest skateboard trucks to help you score that seamless ollie.
How long does it take to learn to ollie over coping?
As the age-old adage goes, “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” The duration varies based on factors like your skating prowess, familiarity with ollies, and sheer dedication to practicing. If you’re diligent with your daily practice sessions, expect to start seeing improvements in a couple of weeks. Remember, everyone learns at their own pace.
Is there a technique to bail out safely if I mess up the trick?
Absolutely! It’s critical to develop the skills to bail out safely from a failed attempt at an ollie over coping. Ensure that the board kicks back and away from you to avoid slipping or tripping. A typical bail involves using your back foot to stomp and stabilize as you leap off the deck. Always remember to lean your butt to your heels, balancing the impact.
What other tricks should I master before attempting an ollie over coping?
Start by mastering a regular ollie on flat ground, your ability to ride ramps, and your carving skills. Once you feel comfortable with these skills, you’ll be more primed (and stoked!) to start working on popping that sweet ollie over coping. Here’s our guide to carving to get you started. Happy shredding, and always remember, the joy is in the ride!
Final thoughts
Kudos to you for sticking around this long and deep-diving into the nuances of acing the ollie over coping. Remember, this trick is a heady mix of adrenaline and fear, likely to keep you craving more. Armed with this guide, you’re now ready to take on the coping with a fresh perspective and a bag full of pointers. Prepare for the thrill that’s an intrinsic part of the sport we love with our honest skateboarding advice.
What’s the one trick you’re most looking forward to attempting next? And did I cover everything you wanted to know about ollieing over coping? I read and reply to every comment. If you found this guide useful, share it with a fellow skateboarder. Dive into our blog for more sick tips and ramp stories. Thanks for rolling with us; keep the shred alive!
Key takeaways
This article covered how to pop a sick ollie over ramp coping. Here are some takeaways:
- An ollie over coping is an exciting trick that fuses air, speed, and a ramp’s topology.
- Strong basics in flat-ground ollies and ramp familiarity are prerequisites before going for this trick.
- There’s a balance of technique and timing to achieve the right pop, speed, height, and landing.
- Safety should not be neglected. Wear your gear and master the art of bailing out safely.
- Practice is the key to nailing this trick. A blend of patience, consistency, and incremental challenges will aid in progression.
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