Skateboarding
Skateboarding
How to darkslide on a skateboard: A step-by-step guide
Darkslides may not be the easiest maneuver. Learn how to darkslide and get tips to help you go from beginner to expert.
How did the darkslide become a staple move of freestyle skateboarding? Just like with several fundamental tricks, the darkslide is the work of skateboard legend Rodney Mullen. Though Mullen wasn’t the first to try this trick — that was Mark Gonzales — he did transform the darkslide into the jaw-dropping move we know today.
The darkslide is a little advanced among skating tricks since it involves literally turning your skateboard deck upside down. After some practice, though, the darkslide becomes an exhilarating move to master. Read ahead to learn how to darkslide, including a step-by-step guide and tips to help you go from beginner to expert.
01
Understanding the darkslide
In skateboarding, the term “dark” translates to “upside down,” so the darkslide skateboarding technique involves landing reverse-side-up on your deck. The physics of a successful darkslide involve getting the right force from your back foot to get the board to flip and slide correctly.
To start with a darkslide, you’ll approach your obstacle of choice. Instead of a normal slide, though, you’ll flip the board over so your skateboard wheels and trucks are facing you. Then you’ll grind across the obstacle with the grip tape side of your deck and land in switch with the grip tape facing upward. (Now, you might understand why this trick can wear out your grip tape over time.)
Gou Miyagi – 'Wax Off'
© Nobuo Iseki
Before you darkslide, master these skateboarding basics
Since darkslides rank among the more advanced skating tricks, you should be comfortable with the basics before attempting this move. Some of the prerequisites for darksliding include:
- Stance. You should feel steady with all skateboarding stances. You’ll land this trick in the switch stance, so get used to that before trying to darkslide.
- Basic tricks. This trick combines a couple of essential freestyle moves, so you should know how to ollie and how to kickflip first. Practicing these moves individually is also a great way to warm up.
- Build strength. A strong core is key to maintaining balance during any skateboard maneuver. Your leg and ankle muscles also play a huge role in controlling your board. Squats and balance board exercises can help you develop stability from head to toe.
Preparing for a darkslide
Setting yourself up for success with the darkslide starts with choosing the right equipment and location.
Get the right skateboarding gear
In terms of what it does to your skateboard deck, the darkslide is a high-impact trick. Namely, the sliding motion can do quite a number on your skateboard’s grip tape, so try practicing on a board you’re willing to run. Some pro skateboarders suggest having one board that’s solely for darkslides. This way, instead of worrying about scraping up your board, you can focus on the core parts of the trick, including skateboard balance and footwork.
Any type of skateboard will technically work, but a wider board is gentler on your feet. You can also cut your grip tape so that the deck’s sides are slightly exposed. This way, you expose purely wood, giving your board less friction during your darkslide. If you do cut down the grip tape, sand the sides before skating so that your board doesn’t catch on your foot.
As with any skating trick, it’s always important to wear proper skateboarding safety gear. In particular, never darkslide without a helmet — falls in all sorts of unexpected directions are common as you practice. For extra protection from the inevitable newbie tumble that’s a natural part of learning all skateboarding tricks, wear knee and elbow pads.
Choose the right location
Darkslides take place on a box or rail, so a skatepark is the perfect setting to master this trick. Check to see what kind of obstacles your local skatepark offers and spend an afternoon trying out your darkslides. Your skatepark visit might double as a great chance to connect with others and make some new friends in your local skateboarding community.
02
A step-by-step guide to landing the darkslide
Ready to try your first darkslide? Here’s what you need to know.
Foot placement
Your feet will go on a bit of a journey with the darkslide. You’ll start riding on the grip tape side of the deck, with your front foot in the middle and back foot at the tail. Try not to put too much weight on your toes either.
Once your board is upside down, land with your feet just outside the trucks. Some skateboarders, however, do this trick with one or both feet inside the trucks. Nevertheless, keeping your feet on the outside during your darkslide is going to give you the best momentum.
Initiating the darkslide
To start your darkslide, move toward the obstacle and pick up moderate speed. Once you reach the box or rail, you’ll pop an ollie into a kickflip to get your board to flip onto the obstacle. Your goal is to get your board up onto the box at a good angle for sliding across rather than fully rotating your board.
As your board is airborne, keep your feet out a bit so the deck can land properly before you catch it on the obstacle. Once you’ve flipped your board onto the obstacle in the upside-down position, your feet should be outside the trucks on the nose and tail.
Maintaining balance during your slide
Related
With your board upside down and your trucks between your feet, slide across the obstacle. It can be easy to lose balance and fall backward with this motion. Leaning forward slightly will help you maintain the right center of gravity.
Landing the flip
As you approach the end of the obstacle, get ready to flip back down to earth. You’ll apply pressure on the tail, almost in a scooping motion, and move your front foot so the board has room to flip. If your back foot is closer to the edge, rather than the center of the tail, when pushing down, it’s easier to pop out. Once your board has flipped onto the ground, grip-tape side face up, you’ll land switch and ride away.
03
How to avoid common darkslide mistakes
Be wary of these issues so you can avoid some common darkslide pitfalls.
- Not waxing the obstacle first. Skateboarding wax is your best friend when practicing darkslides. Generously apply wax to counter the friction you get from the obstacle and your grip tape.
- Starting too big. You don’t have to try the tallest box or steepest rail at the skatepark on your first darkslide. If you’re struggling to flip onto the box or rail, maybe try a shorter obstacle as you get used to the motions. You can even start on something as low as a curb.
- Forgetting to warm up. Isolating each part of any skateboard trick makes it way easier to put everything together. In addition to kickflips and ollies, try a few “cavemans,” in which you place your board grip-tape-side down and just practice the slide.
- Giving up too soon. It’s unrealistic to think you’ll master this move on your first try. Darkslides take tons of practice, and even some experienced skaters find them tricky. If you’re having trouble with darkslides, watch a few skateboarding tutorials to see how it’s done. And then, get back up and try again.
Add darkslides to your skateboarding trick progression
If you’ve advanced to a certain level in your skating practice, darkslides are a great move to add to your repertoire. They take some time (and lots of practice) to get right, but the end result is worth it.
