How to Fake Ollie: Mastering the Illusion of the Kickflip's Little Brother

So, you've seen them. Those skaters who can seemingly make their board leap off the ground with just a flick of their wrist and a subtle shift of weight. It looks effortless, almost magical. You're talking about the ollie, the fundamental building block of almost every skateboard trick. But what if you're not quite ready to commit to the full commitment of an ollie, or maybe you just want to understand the mechanics behind it without the full risk? That's where the "fake ollie" comes in. Think of it as the stage magic of skateboarding, creating the illusion of a jump without the actual airborne lift.

This article will break down exactly what a fake ollie is, why you might want to learn it, and how to perform it with conviction. We're going to go step-by-step, so even if you're a complete beginner, you can start practicing this cool-looking move.

What Exactly is a Fake Ollie?

At its core, a fake ollie is a trick that mimics the *visual* components of a real ollie without actually getting your board off the ground. The goal is to make it look like you’ve popped and leveled out the board in the air, even though your wheels are still firmly planted (or just barely lifting). It’s about selling the movement, the timing, and the body language of a successful ollie.

Why would you want to do this? Several reasons:

Building Confidence: For beginners, the idea of jumping with a skateboard can be intimidating. A fake ollie allows you to practice the coordination and timing of an ollie without the fear of falling.
Practicing Pop and Flick Timing: Even though the board won't get high, you're still practicing the crucial "pop" of your back foot and the "flick" of your front foot. This helps build muscle memory for when you’re ready to attempt real ollies.
Looking Stylish: Honestly, sometimes you just want to look cool. A well-executed fake ollie can add a bit of flair to your skating, especially when you’re just cruising.
Understanding Board Mechanics: By trying to manipulate the board in the way you would for an ollie, you start to understand how the tail and nose interact with the ground and the pressure applied.

How to Perform a Fake Ollie: Step-by-Step

Let’s get down to business. You'll want to be on a flat, smooth surface, like a smooth concrete driveway or a skate park. Make sure your skateboard is in good working order, with wheels that roll freely.

Step 1: Stance and Foot Placement

This is crucial for making it look real. Your stance should be as close as possible to how you would set up for a real ollie.

Back Foot: Place the ball of your back foot on the very end of the tail of your skateboard. You want your toes to be hanging off slightly, ready to "pop" down.
Front Foot: Position your front foot somewhere around the middle of the board, or slightly closer to the front bolts. For a fake ollie, you'll want it angled slightly, with your toes pointing more towards the nose. This is where you'll do the "flick."
Body Position: Bend your knees deeply. Your shoulders should be aligned with your board. Imagine you're about to jump.

Step 2: The "Pop" (The Illusion)

This is where the magic happens. You're going to mimic the action of popping the tail.

With a quick, sharp downward motion, press your back foot down onto the tail of the board. The key here is to make it *look* like you’re trying to get the tail to hit the ground with force. You're not actually trying to lift the board with this pop; you're just executing the motion.

The visual of the tail hitting the ground, or appearing to, is a key component of selling the fake ollie.

As your back foot "pops," you’ll also want to start to crouch down even further, preparing for the next step.

Step 3: The "Flick" and "Slide" (The Illusion Continued)

Immediately after the "pop," and as your back foot is coming up slightly (you’re not keeping it slammed down), you’ll perform the "flick" with your front foot. This is where you slide your foot up the board towards the nose.

Imagine you are trying to scrape the side of your front foot, near the laces, across the griptape. You want to slide it up towards the nose of the board. As you slide, your front foot should start to level out the board.

Important Note: In a real ollie, this flick and slide motion is what levels the board out in the air. In a fake ollie, you're simply performing the motion to mimic this. You're not actually trying to get the board to rise. The feeling should be one of your front foot "catching" the board and bringing it with you as you *pretend* to jump.

Step 4: The "Jump" and "Landing" (The Grand Finale)

As you're doing the flick and slide, you'll simultaneously mimic a small jump upwards with your body. Extend your legs, as if you’re jumping off the ground.

The goal is to make it look like you and the board have just done a small hop. Your front foot’s slide should lead the board to appear as if it’s leveled out at a very low height, or even just touching the ground.

As your body comes back down, bend your knees to absorb the (non-existent) impact. This is what makes it look like you’ve landed the trick. Keep your feet on the board throughout this entire motion.

Putting It All Together

The key to a convincing fake ollie is the timing and fluidity. It should look like one continuous motion:

Bend knees.
Quickly pop the tail down.
Simultaneously slide your front foot up the board towards the nose.
Mimic a small jump upwards with your body.
Bend knees to "land."

Practice makes perfect is an understatement here. You'll need to repeat these steps over and over, focusing on making the movements sharp and coordinated. Pay attention to how your body moves and how the board reacts (or doesn't react!).

Tips for a More Convincing Fake Ollie:

Exaggerate Slightly: Initially, it’s better to exaggerate the pop and flick motions. This will help you feel the movements.
Keep Your Eyes Up: Look where you want to go, not down at your feet. This will make your movement look more natural.
Body Language: Act like you’re doing a real ollie! The commitment in your body will sell the illusion.
Sound Effects (Optional): Some skaters even add a subtle "pop" sound with their mouth, but this is for advanced trickery!
Vary the "Height": Once you're comfortable, try to subtly adjust the intensity of your "pop" and "flick" to make it look like you're achieving different (very small) amounts of lift.

When to Transition to Real Ollies

Once you feel confident with the fake ollie, and you're starting to understand the mechanics, it’s time to graduate. The principles of the fake ollie are the foundation for the real thing. The next steps for a real ollie involve actually lifting the tail off the ground with the pop and getting your front foot to slide up and level the board in the air.

Don't be discouraged if real ollies take time. They are one of the most challenging beginner tricks. But the practice you get from fake ollies will give you a significant head start.

FAQ: Your Burning Fake Ollie Questions Answered

Q1: How high does a fake ollie actually get my board off the ground?

A1: Ideally, a fake ollie shouldn't get your board off the ground at all, or only by a millimeter or two. The goal is to create the *illusion* of a jump, not an actual jump. Your wheels should remain on the ground throughout the entire movement.

Q2: Why would someone learn a fake ollie instead of just learning a real ollie?

A2: A fake ollie is a great stepping stone for beginners who might be intimidated by the risk of falling while learning a real ollie. It allows them to practice the crucial coordination, timing, and body movements of an ollie in a safer way, building confidence and muscle memory before attempting the actual jump.

Q3: What's the most important part of making a fake ollie look convincing?

A3: The most important part is the commitment and the fluidity of the motion. You need to mimic the sharp "pop" of the tail and the "flick" of the front foot with conviction, all while maintaining proper body posture and timing. The visual cues of the pop and flick, combined with your body's jump motion, sell the illusion.

Q4: Can I practice fake ollies on any surface?

A4: While you can practice the motions anywhere, it's best to do fake ollies on a smooth, flat surface like concrete. This allows for a more realistic feel of the board and prevents any resistance that might disrupt the illusion of movement.