Mastering the Tech Deck Ollie: A Three-Finger Guide

Learning to ollie on a Tech Deck is a rite of passage for any fingerboard enthusiast. While it might seem daunting at first, with practice and the right technique, you can nail this fundamental trick. This guide will walk you through the process of performing an ollie on a Tech Deck using the three-finger method. This method offers a balance of control and power, making it a great starting point for beginners.

Why Three Fingers?

The traditional two-finger ollie is the most common technique, but using three fingers can provide added stability and control, especially when you’re first starting out. The third finger acts as an anchor, helping you maintain your balance and pop the board more consistently. It also allows for a smoother, more controlled landing.

What You’ll Need

* **A Tech Deck:** Any Tech Deck will work, but a newer one with good grip tape will make learning easier.
* **A Smooth, Flat Surface:** A table, desk, or even the floor will do. Make sure it’s free of any obstructions.
* **Patience:** Learning takes time, so don’t get discouraged if you don’t get it right away. Practice makes perfect!

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s a detailed breakdown of how to ollie on a Tech Deck using three fingers:

**1. Finger Placement:**

* This is arguably the most important step. Proper finger placement is crucial for a successful ollie. Experimenting to find what feels best for *you* is vital. Start with the following as a general guideline and adjust as needed.
* **Middle Finger:** Place your middle finger on the tail of the Tech Deck. This finger will be responsible for popping the board.
* **Index Finger:** Place your index finger slightly behind the front bolts. This finger will guide the board upward during the ollie and provide stability.
* **Ring Finger:** Place your ring finger right next to the index finger. This finger will also provide support and stability during the ollie. Essentially, your index and ring finger act as a single, wider fulcrum.
* **Alternative placement:** For some, placing the index finger directly *on* the front bolts is preferable. This can give more direct control over the nose of the board and can help to level out the ollie. Again, experiment to see what works best for your finger size and hand positioning.
* **General Considerations:** The closer your fingers are to the bolts, the less leverage you’ll have, resulting in a lower ollie. Moving your fingers further away from the bolts increases leverage, allowing for a higher ollie but potentially sacrificing some control. Finding the right balance is key.

**2. The Pop:**

* This is where the magic happens. The pop is the explosive movement that lifts the Tech Deck off the ground.
* **Downward Pressure:** Apply downward pressure with your middle finger on the tail of the Tech Deck. This will compress the tail against the surface.
* **Sharp Flick:** Quickly and sharply flick your middle finger downwards and backwards, snapping the tail against the surface. Think of it as a controlled stomp.
* **Simultaneous Slide:** As you pop the tail, simultaneously slide your index and ring fingers up towards the nose of the Tech Deck. This sliding motion is crucial for lifting the front of the board and leveling out the ollie.
* **Common Mistakes:**
* **Weak Pop:** A weak pop will result in a low ollie, or no ollie at all. Make sure you’re applying enough downward pressure and snapping the tail with sufficient force.
* **Delayed Slide:** If you don’t slide your fingers forward quickly enough, the Tech Deck will just pop straight up and down without leveling out.
* **Sliding Too Early:** Sliding your fingers *before* the pop will result in a weak or non-existent pop.

**3. The Slide:**

* The slide is what separates an ollie from just popping the board.
* **Controlled Movement:** As mentioned above, the slide is a smooth, controlled movement of your index and ring fingers from behind the front bolts towards the nose of the Tech Deck.
* **Guiding the Board:** The sliding motion guides the front of the Tech Deck upward, leveling it out and allowing you to clear obstacles.
* **Adjusting Finger Pressure:** As you slide, subtly adjust the pressure of your fingers to maintain balance and control the height and angle of the ollie. Slightly more pressure on the index finger can help lift the nose higher.
* **Common Mistakes:**
* **Sliding Too Hard:** Sliding your fingers too aggressively can cause the Tech Deck to flip over or rotate.
* **Uneven Pressure:** Applying uneven pressure with your index and ring fingers can cause the Tech Deck to tilt to one side.

**4. The Level Out:**

* Leveling out is the point where the Tech Deck is parallel to the ground at the peak of the ollie.
* **Even Pressure:** Maintain even pressure with your index and ring fingers to keep the Tech Deck level.
* **Visual Focus:** Focus your eyes on the nose of the Tech Deck to help you maintain balance and control.
* **Anticipate Landing:** Prepare for the landing by slightly bending your fingers to absorb the impact.
* **Common Mistakes:**
* **Tilting the Board:** Failing to maintain even pressure can cause the Tech Deck to tilt, making it difficult to land.
* **Looking Away:** Looking away from the Tech Deck can throw off your balance and lead to a failed landing.

**5. The Landing:**

* The landing is the final step, and a clean landing is the sign of a well-executed ollie.
* **Absorb Impact:** As the Tech Deck comes down, absorb the impact by slightly bending your fingers. This will help prevent the Tech Deck from bouncing off the surface.
* **Land Evenly:** Aim to land with all four wheels of the Tech Deck touching the ground simultaneously. This provides the most stable landing.
* **Maintain Balance:** Maintain your balance throughout the landing by keeping your fingers centered on the Tech Deck.
* **Common Mistakes:**
* **Stiff Landing:** Landing with stiff fingers will cause the Tech Deck to bounce and potentially flip over.
* **Uneven Landing:** Landing with only two or three wheels touching the ground will make it difficult to maintain balance.
* **Leaning Too Far Forward/Backward:** Leaning too far in either direction will throw off your balance and lead to a failed landing.

Troubleshooting

* **Can’t Get the Pop:**
* Make sure you’re applying enough downward pressure on the tail.
* Ensure you’re snapping the tail quickly and forcefully.
* Check that the surface you’re using is flat and smooth.
* **Can’t Get the Slide:**
* Practice the sliding motion separately to get a feel for it.
* Make sure you’re sliding your fingers forward simultaneously with the pop.
* Experiment with different finger placements to find what works best for you.
* **Can’t Level Out:**
* Focus on maintaining even pressure with your index and ring fingers.
* Keep your eyes on the nose of the Tech Deck.
* Adjust your finger pressure as you slide to control the angle of the board.
* **Can’t Land Cleanly:**
* Practice absorbing the impact by bending your fingers.
* Aim to land with all four wheels touching the ground simultaneously.
* Maintain your balance throughout the landing.

Practice Drills

Here are a few practice drills to help you improve your ollie:

* **Pop Practice:** Focus solely on the pop. Practice popping the tail repeatedly without trying to slide your fingers. This will help you develop the muscle memory and coordination needed for a strong pop.
* **Slide Practice:** Practice the sliding motion separately. Place the Tech Deck on its side and practice sliding your fingers from behind the front bolts to the nose. This will help you get a feel for the motion and improve your finger dexterity.
* **Combined Practice:** Once you’re comfortable with the pop and the slide, start combining them. Practice popping the tail and sliding your fingers simultaneously. Focus on coordinating the two movements and maintaining balance.
* **Over Obstacles:** Once you can consistently ollie, start practicing over small obstacles. Use books, pencils, or other small objects to challenge yourself and improve your ollie height and accuracy.
* **Rolling Ollies:** Once you’ve mastered stationary ollies, try ollieing while rolling. This adds another layer of complexity and requires even more coordination and balance. Start with very slow rolling speeds and gradually increase the speed as you improve.

Advanced Tips

* **Experiment with Finger Placement:** Don’t be afraid to experiment with different finger placements to find what works best for you. Everyone’s hands are different, so what works for one person may not work for another.
* **Watch Tutorials:** Watch videos of other people performing ollies on Tech Decks. Pay attention to their finger placement, body positioning, and overall technique.
* **Practice Regularly:** The more you practice, the better you’ll get. Try to practice for at least 15-30 minutes each day.
* **Be Patient:** Learning to ollie takes time and patience. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t get it right away. Keep practicing, and you’ll eventually get there.
* **Use higher quality Tech Decks:** Tech Decks come in different qualities. Upgrading to a slightly higher quality can make the process easier as the materials may be more suitable for consistent tricks.
* **Customizing your deck:** Try replacing the grip tape to improve the grip. Experiment with different materials until you find one that is best suited to you.

Beyond the Ollie: Next Steps

Once you’ve mastered the ollie, the possibilities are endless! Here are a few tricks you can learn next:

* **Shuvit:** A shuvit involves rotating the Tech Deck 180 degrees without lifting the wheels off the ground.
* **Kickflip:** A kickflip is a more advanced trick that involves flipping the Tech Deck 360 degrees along its longitudinal axis.
* **Heelflip:** A heelflip is similar to a kickflip, but the Tech Deck flips in the opposite direction.
* **Grinds:** Once you can consistently ollie, you can start learning grinds. Grinds involve sliding the Tech Deck along an edge or rail.
* **Manuals:** Learning to balance on two wheels (a manual) is a great way to improve your balance and control.

Mastering the Tech Deck ollie is a fun and rewarding experience. It’s a great way to improve your coordination, dexterity, and patience. So grab your Tech Deck, find a smooth surface, and start practicing! With enough effort and dedication, you’ll be ollieing like a pro in no time. Remember to have fun and enjoy the process!