How To Switch Ollie A Fingerboard

The ability to perform basic tricks switch is the sign of a really skilled fingerboarder.  The first trick to learn switch should naturally be the same one you learned normal: the ollie.

The finger placement and mechanics of a switch ollie are the same as a nollie, only you’ll be rolling in the opposite direction.  Roll the board such that your index finger is the back finger and is over the tail. Pop the board with your index finger, and level it out with your middle finger.

If you’re reading this, you should already have a solid nollie in the bag.  Read on to learn the switch ollie.

Step 1: Finger placement

Orient the board so that your index finger is on the tail, and your middle finger is in the middle of the deck.  Switch ollie finger placement is exactly the same as nollie finger placement, only now the nose in nollie stance becomes the tail in switch stance.

Step 2: Popping the board

In switch, rolling the board forward means rolling it towards the end your middle finger is on.  If you’re right-handed, roll the board to your right.  If your left-handed, roll it to your left.   Keep your whole hand flat and apply pressure to the deck with your middle finger.  Keep your index finger relaxed  Pop the tail with your index finger, and relax both your middle and index fingers. The motion is the same as the nollie.

Step 3: Keeping your fingers on the board

After popping the board up to about 90 degrees, level it out with your middle finger by moving your whole hand and wrist in a gentle arc, the same way you would with a nollie.  It helps to move your middle finger up and slightly back right as you pop the trick, from there you can arc your hand up.

Step 4: Landing the trick

At the top of the arc, the board will be level. Gently bring both fingers straight down, no need to stomp them down.  Guide the board down as it falls on its own.  This will allow you to land the trick on all four wheels.

Final thoughts

This trick may sometimes be called a “fakie nollie,” but technically the trick is a switch ollie.  It gets confusing because “nollie” is actually a stance, but people like myself thought forever that “a nollie” was a trick.  “A nollie” is technically a nollie ollie, but its way easier to just say nollie.

If you have your nollie down, the fakie ollie will come to you pretty quickly since the muscle memory is about the same.  What’s cool is that once you master the switch ollie, it won’t be long before your bag of tricks doubles.