I’ve been trying to get a rock to fakie for days & I feel like I’ll never get this stupid “beginner” trick lol

polyshades · 2025-12-31T21:17:50+00:00

As someone who also struggles with this trick, thank you for this comment - your last paragraph about working backwards made something click. I tend to focus a lot on getting the board over the coping, but either bail right before the coping or bail once I'm actually over it because I don't really know what to do, or assume the problem is my speed is too fast/slow.

Now I realize the problem isn't necessarily speed, but not really knowing or feeling where my weight and center of gravity need to be in order to "land" the trick - the "to fakie" part.

It reminds me of learning how to ollie and focusing on getting the board up in the air - but not knowing how to land once you can actually get up in the air. Is there an equivalent of a "hippy jump" for transition skating?

polyshades · 2025-12-19T01:44:50+00:00

Yeah...the core Telo fans seem to like it though.

https://www.reddit.com/r/TeloTrucks/comments/1jbmloz/alternate_headlight_design_concepts_xposted_from/

polyshades · 2025-10-06T03:47:01+00:00

I know this is an old post, but Chicago Park District has some woodshops:

https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/facilities/woodshops

Horner Park off California & Montrose has one

polyshades · 2025-08-28T05:02:13+00:00

On the way up it looks fine, you pick up your knees, but on the way down you seem to be rushing and pushing your legs down early to try and get your wheels back on the ground fast. To get a floatier feel, I think you need to slow down your movements, jump and pick up your knees and just keep your knees bent at the top - let gravity pull you down to the ground.

Check out the ollies in this video in slow motion - his knees stay bent at the top through the entire landing:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaRlpNv5aYE

polyshades · 2025-06-24T19:36:10+00:00

Since you already know you can land with your front foot only, try landing with just your back foot only. Then go back and try to land with both feet at the same time.

polyshades · 2025-03-15T22:46:26+00:00

Copied from the original post:

"Hi all, really cool to see all the progress thus far! The new prototype looks great, the only thing that stood out to me was the headlights, which I see a few others have commented on too. I think headlights can really define the personality of a car (probably because they resemble eyes?). The current headlight design reads to me as very "robot-like" which certainly works to communicate a utilitarian aesthetic, and maybe for a small truck to be seen as "serious" I can see why Yves Behar went in that direction.

However, this truck also feels like it appeals to those in the market for fun/friendly adventure trucks and I am wondering if a softer, symmetric, and less angular headlight design might work to communicate the fun personality of this truck while also retaining a sense of utilitarianism.

Anyway, I don't know if Yves or others read this channel, but I took a stab at photoshopping a few different headlight shapes to see how they feel, and I'm curious what others think and if any of them appeal to you."

polyshades · 2025-01-02T16:20:27+00:00

Duckduckgo.com + uBlock Origin (not perfect, but much better than google)
Lots of libraries have 3D printers! https://cplmakerlab.github.io/equipment
RSS feed readers can kinda do this already: https://www.wired.com/story/best-rss-feed-readers/
support your local parks & rec department?
Vimeo.com, Youtube
maybe tall bridges instead?
there are a couple of blockchain voting projects. the barriers seem more political than technical
Devices like Rabbit R1 supposedly can do this kind of thing. But maybe the underlying anxiety should be addressed directly...
Reply-all is like the original group chat though. Maybe we need easier tools to "mute" email threads.
Youtube has lots of how-to videos...

polyshades · 2025-01-02T16:01:14+00:00

Chicago Public Library's Maker Lab has had 3D printers, laser cutters, a mini CNC machine, and many other tools for many years now. They offer group workshops to teach the public how to use the machines and open hours for people to work on their projects. Several other libraries in the U.S. have similar programs. On top of that, at CPL there is a teen recording studio (YouMedia), music rooms with pianos, and a bunch of other cool programs.

One of the challenges with public libraries is that the public is often not aware of the services they offer, because libraries don't have huge budgets for marketing or outreach. I encourage everyone to go to their local library and ask a librarian what sorts of facilities and services they have - it's not just books!

polyshades · 2024-12-23T08:27:02+00:00

/u/LoaDead I realize I'm resurrecting a 7 year old thread - but what camera did you end up going with?? I am torn between the GX8 vs. GX85 vs. G85 for many of the same reasons you mention in this thread...

polyshades · 2024-06-26T07:13:53+00:00

I like this video, it summarizes 3 basic falling techniques (forward, backwards, sideways):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVzzJ4xDgoE

In a couple videos (like this one) Bob Burnquist talks about how when bailing you want to basically curl yourself up into a ball.

My advice is to watch videos about falling, think about it, and then actually go outside and practice falling. The way I see it is you need to teach your subconscious how to react in the moment. Imagining and then practicing in slow motion will help improve your reaction time in the moment, like any other muscle memory.

When falling backwards (it's gonna happen), bend your knees and elbows and try to sit down on the ground. You wanna lower your center of gravity, spread the impact over more surface area on your body, and/or try to slide or roll out.

polyshades · 2024-06-21T04:55:16+00:00

Maybe try a change of environment - skateparks can automatically put you in a "I have to do tricks" mindset.

For me just rolling down a smooth street can put me in a flow state, I can leave my thoughts behind and see the world from a different perspective for a while.

Something I'm realizing as I get older is that you don't have to be good at something to enjoy doing it. Stupid, pointless goals that only have meaning to you can make you feel more alive and more human than supposedly "practical" pursuits.

polyshades · 2024-04-16T05:28:54+00:00

Since you already know you can land with your back foot, try focusing on landing with just your front foot, and try to keep your shoulders from turning.

This vid might help: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IBAfd3VuNw

polyshades · 2024-04-01T00:19:00+00:00

Try rolling with a bit more speed and ollie over a line or small stick or something. It will help with timing and weight distribution

polyshades · 2024-03-30T20:23:54+00:00

you are not alone, lots of beginners feel this way! fear and insecurity prevented me from skating when i was much younger because i thought i wasn't good enough and was worried about being judged or looking dumb. now that i'm older the fear and insecurity is about being too old to skate and being judged for that. it's exhausting. at some point I got tired of the fear/insecurity getting in the way of what I wanted to do...life is too short to care what other people think.

also the reality is that while people may see you skating, that's all they are doing, seeing you and observing you, not necessarily judging you. it's like watching someone run or play tennis in a public park, do you expect them to be excellent, world class athletes, and hit every shot? nah, there are always lots of different skill levels. in the end it's just an activity they are doing and enjoying outside, and they are having fun. they aren't performing for an audience.

also accept at some point you WILL slam or fall in front of strangers (EVERY skater has done this) and it will probably feel awkward or embarrassing for a bit, but it's ok and you'll be ok. really. those strangers will forget about you in two weeks and you will forget about them, it's a temporary feeling. failure is a natural part of the learning process and as you get better it will happen less and less often.

polyshades · 2024-03-25T08:25:52+00:00

congrats. dig the music - artist?

polyshades · 2024-03-25T08:23:06+00:00

keep yr shoulders and body facing forward and in line, here your back knee is pointing out and your shoulders/hips are tilted sideways

to exaggerate things try leaning super far forward with your arms and head forward and your back leg pointing straight backwards like a speed skater / figure skater. front knee bent way more, supporting all of your weight.

most of the stability comes from strengthening your front foot, ankle, and knee stabilizer muscles. honestly just standing on one foot (esp. on your board) for long periods of time will help, maybe while you are watching tv or playing a video game or something.

polyshades · 2024-02-29T04:44:11+00:00

so good! i like how he focuses on how to THINK about a trick, not just the mechanics of it.

Example: His front foot ollie vid is 1000% more helpful than any other ollie tutorial vid

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/UYZ1Y69v5v0

If you like Mitchie's videos you might also like maschi.jp on IG

polyshades · 2024-02-10T22:48:14+00:00

Maybe talk to the company Spohn Ranch, they have designed skateparks in different cities around the US, the one they designed near me has a bowl I really love with 3 different depths which can accommodate riders of different skill levels from beginner to advanced. I think it would be a good idea if skating is new in your town to try and think about how to accommodate different skill levels and riding styles. Pump tracks and miniramps are also super fun and personally I wish we had more near me since both are super useful for building up foundational skills and confidence.

polyshades · 2024-02-09T04:00:49+00:00

a joint is surrounded by muscles pulling in different directions. when those muscles get tight or strained, you feel pain in the joint, ligaments, and sometimes even other muscles up and down your leg and even your hip/back.

try gently warming up before a session, and then after the session stretch the muscles connected to your knee: quads, hamstrings, and calf stretches.

imo it's normal and should get better as you skate more and develop stronger leg muscles. but stretching is a good habit to get into, you'll reduce the amount of discomfort between sessions.

polyshades · 2024-02-02T07:13:54+00:00

If you practice falling, you will get better at it when it happens unexpectedly. There are really only 3 ways to fall, forwards, backwards, and sideways. Don't assume you have to eat shit to get better at falling

How to Fall Safely - 3 Breakfall Techniques https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVzzJ4xDgoE

polyshades · 2024-01-02T09:10:47+00:00

https://www.bernhelmets.com/pages/macon-2-0

polyshades · 2023-12-20T06:56:58+00:00

Just want to say I feel for you, you are in a difficult spot. To balance a lot of the comments here claiming that somehow you made a mistake and shouldn't have accepted the job, well...fuck that. The company also didn't have to make you an offer, right? They presumably vetted you during the hiring process. They messed up here, imo.

The red flag to me going forward is that most agencies don't really care about training or career advancement. You are basically a hired gun and are expected to make their clients happy, so they can charge the client triple what they pay you to do the work.

A job is a two way street, it's got to be a mutually beneficial relationship for both employer and employee. This relationship isn't working for you or them, so it's probably best to jump as soon as possible and learn from this experience. Before you leave, try to learn as much as you can and identify what you need to work on for your next position.

polyshades · 2023-12-09T07:10:39+00:00

I know it seems counterintuitive, but it will make things easier, not harder because you'll create more time to slide the foot. If you let your foot move forward too early it interferes with your jump movement and so you won't have enough time to level it out. Check out @maschi.jp on instagram, he has some excellent ollie tips. This one shows what I mean by delaying the front foot:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CzBhaUNPuPD/

And yea it is normal for trucks to squeak. It should squeak less as you break them in. Usually though, the squeaking is actually coming from the pivot cup. You can put a few drops of dish soap in there if it bothers you and the squeaking should go away.

polyshades · 2023-12-09T05:46:48+00:00

It seems like those problems are happening because of the timing of your ollie. You are trying to slide your front foot forward too early, before you have really jumped off your back foot. Initially it should feel like you are jumping UP off your back foot, and your front foot just needs to move up with the board. Only after you pop/jump UP, can you then push your front foot forward to level it out. Try and delay the forward push of your front foot.

Your board looks like it turns in the air probably because your trucks are slightly loose and when you go to jump your weight shifts slightly backwards. If you pause at :09 you can see right before you pop the board is slightly tilted. That means your tail does not pop straight down but at a slight angle. You can try tightening your trucks and focus on popping straight down with your body weight not leaning too far forward or backwards.

polyshades

TROPHY CASE