How to Fingerboard in 5 Easy Steps

Welcome to the ultimate guide on How to Fingerboard. As someone who’s been on this journey of shredding with a mini skateboard, I can tell you making the plunge into fingerboarding is both exciting and incredibly rewarding. Simply follow the steps below, and you will discover why fingerboarding is so fun and has such a big following. This grassroots community of fingerboard enthusiasts will welcome you with open ramps and rails.

This is just the beginning of our Fingerboard Tutorials. Make sure you keep the momentum going and dive into the next lessons to elevate your skills even further.

Now, let’s get you on your way to fingerboarding greatness!

Step 1) Buy a Fingerboard

First things first, if you want to learn how to fingerboard, you need a fingerboard. Quality matters, so I highly recommend don’t go cheaper than a Tech Deck. Feel free to go more expensive if you want to jump in. But the most simple way is to head to amazon or target and pick out a Tech Deck you like.

Check out the Tech Deck vs Series because it comes with 2 fingerboard and an obstacle! As with any new hobby, starting with quality gear sets the foundation for better skills down the line.

Pro Tip) Upgrade Your Grip Tape

Consider upgrading your grip tape to foam grip tape.

Why? Foam grip tape provides better grip and comfort, which means more control over your board. Trust me, this upgrade is a game-changer and can make your journey smoother and more enjoyable. It only cost a couple bucks and a to put foam grip tape on your teck deck, but the rewards are all worth it!

Step 2) How to Fingerboard: Correct Finger Positions

When learning how to use a tech deck and starting to fingerboard it is crucial to get your fingers in the right positions! While other people might do it different, this is how I shred:

• Middle Finger Placement:
  • Position your middle finger on the very edge of the tail.
  • I only have like half of the tip of middle finger is on the board. This gives me excellent leverage for popping tricks.
• Index Finger Placement:
  • Keep your index finger near the middle of the board.
  • This placement helps you maintain balance and control, replicating the front foot’s role on a full-sized skateboard.

Step 3) Get Comfy on your Fingerboard

Before jumping into tricks, just get comfortable with your board. Ride it around your desk, your living room, or even at the park.

The key here is to get a feel for how the board moves under your fingers. No tricks needed at this stage—think of it as building a friendship with your new fingerboard buddy.

Things to Try:

Basic Riding:

Just put your fingers in position and ride your board around any surface you can find! Benches, Railings, Boards, Bricks, Desks and anything else! See my fun examples below:

Drop Off Challenges:

Grab a book, a cutting board, a cereal box, or any similar object. Shred across it like a pro, then practice dropping off the edge, focusing on maintaining control of your fingerboard and landing smoothly on the table below. Start with shorter objects and gradually work your way up to tackle even higher drops. By mastering these drop-off challenges, you’ll be well on your way to nailing those epic air tricks!

Tail Stall:

Instead of simply dropping off the edge, slow down a bit so the tail of your board catches on the edge of the book. Pin it down with your middle finger – congratulations, you’re now doing a tail stall! Strike a sick pose for a picture, then lift your middle finger to finish your drop-off. Adding this move to your repertoire turns a basic drop-off into an eye-catching trick. While super simple, it is super fun and looks super cool!

Nose & Tail Manuals:

If you’re still learning how to fingerboard, here’s a fun beginner trick to keep you entertained while honing your skills.

Step 1) Spread your fingers out with your middle finger on the tail and your index finger on the nose.

Step 2) Approach a small object like your phone. Then press down with your middle finger to lift the nose onto the phone.

Step 3) Press down with your index finger to lift the back wheels up and over.

Step 4) Shred across the obstacle and practice dropping off the other side or do a tail stall!

Using this technique, you can start experimenting with Nose Stalls and Nose Slides along short objects. Place the nose of your fingerboard onto the edge of a book or your phone, and stall there for a moment before sliding across. Sure, you’ll need to learn how to ollie to really impress, but this trick will add some fun to your practice sessions and help you shred those obstacles!

Step 4) How to do Fingerboard Tricks

There’s something incredibly satisfying about learning and mastering fingerboard tricks—it’s like cracking the code to endless fun. The joy of flipping, grinding, and nailing those tough maneuvers never gets old. And the best part? Any skateboard trick you can do on a real skateboard can be conquered on a fingerboard too. Whether you’re a rookie or a seasoned shredder, there’s always a new challenge to take on and a new trick to perfect.

Manual

Mastering Manuals on a fingerboard is all about finesse and balance. By popping the tail and maintaining steady pressure with your fingers, you can glide across surfaces with style and control. Click here to learn how to start perfecting your Manuals today!

Shove-it

Nailing a Shove-it on a fingerboard is a thrilling way to showcase your skills. With a quick flick of your fingers, you can spin the board 180 degrees under your control. Click here to learn how and start spinning those Shove-its like a pro!

Ollie

The Ollie is the foundational trick that opens the door to a world of fingerboarding possibilities. By snapping the tail and sliding your fingers forward, you can get your board airborne with ease. Click here to learn how and start mastering the Ollie today!

Step 5) Buy Some Obstacles and Create a Skatepark

Finally, after mastering the basics, you’re ready to level up your fingerboarding game by investing in obstacles. Purchase ramps, rails, and boxes to create your mini skatepark at home. creating your own setup provides endless opportunities for practicing and perfecting your tricks. Plus, it’s ridiculously fun! You can check out some of my favorites over at my Skate Park Page.

As you continue this journey, never forget the importance of practice, patience, and passion. Fingerboarding might start as a simple hobby but it can become an art form—a way to express yourself creatively. Happy shredding!

So, unleash your inner dopeness and start fingerboarding today! Whether you’re riding solo or joining a community of fellow enthusiasts, the mini skateboarding world awaits you.

Let’s do this, folks. Max Savage, signing off.