How to Ride Switch on a Skateboard: 3 Tips for Riding Switch

Riding switch is when a skateboarder uses the opposite footing from their normal stance. A skater who rides regular-foot (their left foot is their leading foot) has a goofy-foot switch stance, and a skater who rides goofy-foot (their right foot is their leading foot) has a regular-foot switch stance. Performing a switch trick—anything from a switch ollie to a switch kickflip to or a switch heelflip—is typically more difficult because you have less board control when your stance doesn't feel as natural.

There are two primary differences between riding switch and riding fakie. First, in switch skating, you're riding with the nose of the board in front, but when riding fakie, you're riding with the tail of the board in front. Second, switch requires you to use the opposite footing from your normal stance, while fakie uses your normal stance.

It's normal to wipe out the first time you attempt to ride switch, but the following tips will make learning to ride switch an easier process.

1. 1. Switch your pushing foot. If you use the same foot to push in your switch stance as you do in your normal stance, you'll be "pushing mongo," which is when you push your skateboard using your front foot. You always want to push with your back foot because that gives you the most stability.
2. 2. Record video of your switch tricks. Recording yourself performing the same trick in both your normal stance and your switch stance allows you to compare your form side by side so you can see how to improve. When performing a switch trick, all the same principles of the regular trick still apply. The only difference is that the trick is mirrored.
3. 3. Practice regularly. The best way to improve at riding switch is to do it as much as possible. Whether you’re skating down the street or at a skatepark, the more you ride, the more natural it will feel.

Whether you’re just learning how to ollie or ready to tackle a Madonna (the vert trick, not the singer), the MasterClass Annual Membership can help you find confidence on your board with exclusive instructional videos from skateboarding legend Tony Hawk, street skater Riley Hawk, and Olympic hopeful Lizzie Armanto.