How to ollie higher on a snowboard – Trick tip

The mountain is a playground. There are features and all sorts of lumps and bumps to fool around on if you know where to look. If you like to jib, you can make the entire mountain your park. One of the tricks that make all of this possible is the Ollie. The Ollie is a foundational, transitional gateway trick that elevates your riding. Perhaps you already have ollieing down, but now, you're wondering how to ollie higher on a snowboard and dial in your riding so you can take over the mountain. Well, look no further, because we have put together a quick-fire tutorial on how to ollie higher. So grab your board, and let's get started. 

Before we dive in, remember, no matter your level of Ollie ability, you can always ensure comfort, style and cool points with your snowboard jackets and snowboard pants.

Mastering the ollie is a fundamental skill for snowboarders aiming to elevate their freestyle game. A higher ollie allows for more versatility on the slopes, enabling riders to navigate obstacles, initiate tricks, and enhance overall style. This guide will break down the techniques and provide tips to help you achieve a higher ollie on your snowboard.

Equipment considerations

The right equipment plays a crucial role in performing a higher ollie. Ensure your snowboard is appropriate for your weight and riding style; a board that's too stiff or too flexible can hinder your ability to pop effectively. Additionally, regularly waxing your board reduces friction, allowing for smoother takeoffs. Bindings should be snug but not overly tight, providing the necessary support without restricting movement.

How to ollie - the basics

To kickstart your Ollie, you need to initiate the proper stance. Begin by bending your knees and then applying pressure to your front foot. A little lean into the front foot will help exaggerate the movement. 

Now, slide your board forward and underneath you to move the pressure onto the tail. Then comes the fun bit: release the tension, allowing the board to propel you into the air.

The Ollie is almost a wave-like motion when executed quickly. But it's that "pop" of pressure where you can get creative, ollie higher over signs, barriers, or wherever the mood takes you.

Stance

The stance is vital. You need to go into the Ollie in the right stance to ensure you don't injure yourself, but also so the Ollie looks tight and professional. After that, it's going back to basics; start by looking where you are going, then check in with your form from the top down. Your body should be in line with your board. No twists or turns or random body parts going in different directions; keep your shoulders, hips, and feet in line with your board, knees slightly bent yet flexible. This is the starting point to initiate the Ollie. Pay attention to your weight distribution. Aim to keep your weight centered, with slight pressure on your back foot to prepare for the pop. Keeping your head up and looking where you’re going helps maintain balance and alignment throughout the movement.

Location for practicing ollies

The best place to try your first Ollie is on flat ground with plenty of space. Getting a higher Ollie is harder, but it's a safe place to start practicing to build the bigger pops.

Once you've graduated on the flats and you're ready to add some height and swagger to your Ollie, head for the rollers and knuckles of jumps. This is when you need a little speed, and you start your Ollie as you approach and aim to clear the knuckle or roller and land on the downward slope.

After gaining confidence in the rollers and knuckles, you can graduate to Ollies over features. You can get playful by trying some variations on this trick, like ollie frontside and backside 180s, or a switch ollie. Other common variations of an ollie are to shifty your board, either frontside or backside, turning the board ninety degrees in the air, and then back to land the same way you took off. By this point, you will be confident to start Ollieing onto features in the park, incorporating street-style rails and boxes. Once you’ve mastered ollies in controlled environments, take it to varied terrains. Try ollies over natural features like tree roots or small drops to simulate real mountain conditions. This not only improves your adaptability but also builds confidence for larger obstacles.

Preparation

Now for the preparation. You have found a good spot; you are in the right stance; now what? Remember, your back foot and board’s tail act as the main spring in the Ollie that will allow you to pop off the ground. So, prepare to shift your weight seamlessly in a wave-like motion to add power and height. The Ollie is not the same as a "hop"; you won't get the height if you don't use your tail to propel you. The tail should be the last thing to leave the ground. Timing is everything in the preparation phase. Practice slowing down the sequence to focus on each step: shifting weight to the nose, engaging the tail, and popping into the air. Gradually speed up the movement to make it fluid and explosive.

Bend and crouch

The bend and crouch is all about sucking your knees into your chest as your start the Ollie and bending those knees coming down to land. We bend our knees and crouch to make the Ollie compact.

While in the air, shift your weight to be centered over the board. Raise your knees towards your chest as you do this. Raising your knees helps keep you balanced and should give you a little more air time. Referring back to the wave-like motion of the Ollie will help with this movement.

Advanced techniques

Core Engagement: Engage your core muscles during the ollie to maintain control and stability. A strong core helps you execute the wave-like motion more effectively, resulting in a smoother and higher ollie.

Dynamic Timing: Combine an explosive tail pop with a sharp knee tuck for added height. Visualize pulling your knees toward your chest at the apex of your jump to maximize air time.

Visual Cues: Place a small marker (like a stick or glove) on the snow to practice clearing specific heights. Gradually raise the marker as you improve to push your limits further.

Common mistakes

The biggest mistake is not jumping high enough. Use your tail to propel you higher into the air to combat this. Using the wave motion to lean into the nose first gives you more momentum to put more of your body weight over the tail. 

Another common mistake is jumping off the ground with both feet like a bunny hop rather than in a wave-like motion. In doing so, you'll not have the height needed to initiate the Ollie; plus, this ends up looking amateur.

Another mistake is landing off-balance. To avoid this, keep your shoulders aligned with your board throughout the movement and focus on landing with your weight centered. Uneven landings can reduce control and lead to falls, especially on varied terrain.

Wrapping up

There you have it, the basics of how to ollie higher on a snowboard. You'll be the rider everyone envies, catching air off almost anything. Before you know it, you will use the Ollie as a gateway into all the best tricks, maximizing your riding and pushing your skill set! The mountain is yours to explore!

Remember, mastering the ollie is a journey, not a race. Regular practice and experimenting with your technique will lead to noticeable improvements. Record your progress to spot areas for refinement, and most importantly, have fun while learning!

Related Reading:

• Snowboard trick names
• Snowboard jacket women / Snowboard pants women
• Trick Tip – How to butter on a snowboard
• Snowboard clothing men / Snowboard clothing women
• The best places to snowboard in Europe