This guide on how to use a Tech Deck will take you from trash to thrash faster than your grandma knitting a sweater on caffeine.. So, get ready to impress your friends, drop jaws, and even score a promotion—because your about to discover why fingerboarding is fun and how it unlocks endless possibilities.
Whether you’re a total newbie or familiar with fingerboarding, Tech Decks capture the same thrill and precision. All at your fingertips. Picture this: you’re at your desk, bored during a Zoom meeting, and suddenly you’re shredding a mega halfpipe with your Tech Deck. Feeling like Tony Hawk’s protégé, all eyes are on you. You land that perfect kickflip, and the crowd applauds.
Are you ready to become the fingerboarding wizard everyone talks about? A wizard whose tricks bring joy and excitement to everyone you meet. Let’s be real—who wouldn’t be impressed by someone deftly maneuvering a tiny skateboard over a coffee table book ramp?
Mastering the Tech Deck brings personal satisfaction and breaks the ice at parties. It also earns you digital street cred on social media and makes you the go-to person for spontaneous fun. Furthermore, becoming a bona fide fingerboard pro is a surefire way to show off your unique talent and creativity.
So, buckle up because this guide is your golden ticket to a rad new skill set. With each flick, twist, and trick, you’re not just playing with a toy. Instead, you’re shaping your destiny as the ultimate fingerboard shredder. Now, let’s dive in and get those fingers rolling!
The Shred Line
Step 1) Find Your Perfect Tech Deck
First, choosing the right board is crucial. It’s like finding the perfect pair of jeans—only cooler. For starters, consider the Tech Deck Vs Series. This awesome package comes with two boards and an obstacle to start shredding immediately. I went with this dope Blind Tech Deck Board.
Whether you’re aiming for your first kickflip or adding to your collection, the Vs Series offers numerous opportunities for practice and play. It’s like getting a Lamborghini and a Ferrari in one package—ultimate performance from the start.
Also, many Tech Deck Skate Sets come with a Fingerboard. So keep your eye open at the store and see if any of the skatepark sets come with a fingerboard you like!
No matter where you get your board, be sure to learn how to upgrade your tech deck with foam grip tape, new trucks, wheels and more! This will ensure the best ride and make it easier to master tricks.
Think of the perfect board as an extension of your fingers. It complements your style and skill set, helping you showcase your fingerboarding prowess. Each set of boards in the Vs Series has a different design and serious swag factor. So pick the perfect boards and obstacle for you!
Step 2) Find Surfaces to Shred
Next, you’ve got your perfect board. Now, where do you practice? The answer is: everywhere. Once you’ve got that Tech Deck, the world around you transforms into your personal skate park. When learning how to use a tech deck, no surface is safe from your shredding spree.
For example, at home, the kitchen counter, coffee table, or couch armrest can become your new skate spot. In the office, transform your desk, stapler, and computer keyboard into a course with unexpected twists and turns. When at school, your desk, textbooks, and even backpack zippers become an impromptu skate park. Moreover, don’t overlook the stack of books—they’re perfect for your next sick line.
Practicing on different surfaces keeps things interesting and enhances your adaptability and precision. Each new surface presents a unique challenge, pushing your skills to the next level. One day you’re mastering a trick on a flat desk. Subsequently, you’re conquering a rugged wood-grain tabletop. This keeps your practice sessions fresh and makes you more versatile.
Every surface is an opportunity—a new adventure for your fingers. So, don’t be shy about incorporating everyday items into your routine. Embrace the challenges of different textures, angles, and heights. Each new surface you conquer brings you closer to fingerboarding greatness.
Finally, are you ready to take on the world? Grab that Tech Deck and explore the endless skate spots around you. Your fingers are about to embark on a shredding journey like never before!
Step 3) Finger Position
Imagine your fingers are miniature legs on a tiny skateboard. Gnarly, right? Your middle finger is your back leg, and it belongs on the tail of your fingerboard – that’s your control center, where the magic starts. Now, your index finger? That’s your front leg and it goes smack dab in the middle of the deck.
This dynamic duo is gonna help you bend gravity to your will! With your fingers in place, you’re primed to pop epic ollies, flip insane kickflips, and lock down those wicked grinds.
So, lock and load that finger formation, because it’s time to dive into the world of stoke and shred like never before! Let’s unleash that inner dopeness, one trick at a time. Keep it rad and remember: practice, practice, practice!
Step 4) How to Do Tricks on a Tech Deck
Now that you’ve got your fingerboard and found your shredding surfaces, it’s time to dive into the fun stuff: tricks! With a bit of practice and some dedication, you’ll be pulling off tricks like a seasoned pro. Are you ready? Let’s get down to business.
PRO TIP:
Just like a real skateboard, you don’t start off day 1 by mastering dope tricks.. You start by slowly riding the boarding and getting comfortable with. I spend my first few days playing with my fingerboard and rolling it around different surfaces to get used to how it felt.
Beginner Tech Deck Tricks: Before the Ollie
I get it, learning to ollie takes some time and practice. So I wanted to some ways to shred and enjoy myself, even if I couldn’t ollie yet. That’s why I put together some of my favorite tech deck tricks for beginners, even if you can’t ollie yet!
The Manual
It’s time to master your very first trick—the manual. This move’s as simple as pie, but trust me, it’s a cornerstone for a ton of more advanced tricks.
- Get that prime finger position: middle finger on the tail, index finger in the middle.
- Gently press down on the tail to lift the nose.
- Balance on the back wheels as you glide forward.
- Practice keeping it steady and straight.
Nose Stalls & Slides
Ready to take it up a notch? Turn that manual into a nose stall!
- Find an obstacle like a book or a tiny ramp.
- Glide towards it while in manual.
- Use your index finger to stall the nose of the board on top of the obstacle.
Now, let’s get even gnarlier with a nose slide!
- From the nose stall position, push forward to slide the board down the obstacle.
- Maintain your balance and let it glide smoothly.
- Hope of the obstacle and shred on!
These tech deck tricks are simple enough to master in minutes, yet fun enough to do for hours! Play around with these tricks for a while, it will make mastering the more advanced tricks way easier!
Mastering the Ollie
The Ollie is the core of many fingerboarding tricks when learning how to use a tech deck. It’s essentially the jumping move that gets your fingerboard airborne. While we have more in depth, step-by-step instructions how to ollie, here are the basics:
- Start Position: Place your fingers on the board. Your index finger goes on the nose, and your middle finger on the tail.
- Snap: Push down sharply on the tail with your middle finger to lift the nose.
- Slide: While the nose lifts, slide your index finger forward to level out the board.
- Land: Guide the board back down and stick your landing.
Furthermore, practice Ollies on different surfaces around your home. From the kitchen counter to your office desk, every new platform adds a layer of challenge.
Conquering Rail Slides
Next, up your game with Rail Slides. Use everyday objects like stapler, a board, or even the edge of a book to create fun rails. If you really want to master it, check out the in depth how to rail slide on a tech deck, but here are the basics for ya:
- Setup: Position the object to serve as your rail.
- Approach: Perform an Ollie to lift the board onto the rail.
- Slide: Balance as your board glides along the rail’s surface. Use your fingers to maintain stability.
- Exit: Pop another small Ollie at the end of the rail to dismount smoothly.
As you continue, recognize that these basics open up endless possibilities. A stack of books becomes a challenging ledge; a ruler transforms into an epic rail slide spot. Everyday items aren’t just objects—they’re integral parts of your Tech Deck playground.
Basics to a Ramp
Maybe you bought a set like the Mega Half Pipe and want to learn how to start getting some air. Don’t worry, we got you covered and it is easier than you think! Here’s the basics to get started:
- Start Position: Place your fingers on the board. Your index finger goes on the nose, and your middle finger on the tail.
- Roll: Roll up to the top of the ramp and back down again. Do this for a while, just to get comfortable with it.
- Get some air: Slowly start bringing the board higher, while still keeping control of the board. It will be hard at first, but soon you will find you can get some major air and still land the trick
- Land: Guide the board back down the ramp and shred to glory.
Tips and Tricks for Success
- Consistency is Key: Regular practice helps develop muscle memory. Spend a few minutes each day to see real progress.
- Change It Up: Experiment with different surfaces and objects for more diverse practice sessions.
- Stay Inspired: Watch fingerboarding videos online. Seeing what others can do will motivate you to push beyond your limits.
Therefore, are you ready to wow your friends with your newfound fingerboarding skills? Start mastering these tricks today and turn every flat surface into your personal skate park. Keep practicing, stay creative, and most importantly—never stop shredding!
Your Tech Deck adventure has just begun. Let the tricks and thrills roll!
Step 5) Create Your Ultimate Playground
Alright, you’ve got your tricks down. Now, it’s time to take things up a notch with Tech Deck’s incredible skateparks. Creating your own epic fingerboarding playground has never been easier or more fun.
First off, Tech Deck offers a variety of cool skatepark sets. These sets are designed to mimic real-life skateparks, providing the perfect backdrop for all your fingerboard tricks. Moreover, many of these sets feature the innovative X-Connect system, allowing you to link different sets together. Consequently, you can build the ultimate park that meets all your shredding needs.
When you start connecting these sets, the possibilities are virtually limitless. For example, you can attach ramps, rails, and ledges to create a custom park tailored to your skills and imagination. As a result, you’ll have a dynamic, ever-changing environment to practice and showcase your tricks.
Additionally, Tech Deck’s skatepark sets are pretty solid and durable. This means they can withstand all the flipping, sliding, and crashing that comes with fingerboarding. Not only do they look cool, but they also function exceptionally well, providing a realistic experience that enhances your practice sessions.
Importantly, Tech Deck offers a range of sizes and prices, ensuring there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a compact set to fit on your bedroom desk or a full-blown setup for an expansive fingerboarding paradise, Tech Deck has you covered.
With my love for Blind Fingerboards, I picked up the Transform Sk8 Container Pro, which comes with a custom Blind Tech Deck. This set is packed with an array of killer obstacles to shred, including ramps, rails, and more. It’s a versatile playground that not only enhances my skills but also keeps every session fresh and exciting.
Step 6) How to Upgrade Your Tech Deck
Ready to take your fingerboarding to the next level? Upgrading your Tech Deck can make a significant difference in your performance and comfort.
First, consider putting foam grip tape to your Tech Deck. Foam grip tape provides better control and comfort compared to the standard grip tape. Simply peel off the old tape, cut the foam to fit, and stick it on. You’ll notice improved traction and smoother tricks almost immediately.
Additionally, check out the Pro Series by Tech Deck. These boards come with enhanced features such as upgraded trucks, wheels, and graphics.
Furthermore, don’t hesitate to try other brands of fingerboards. For those looking to truly personalize their board, you can even get different trucks, wheels, and other accessories to customize your setup to match your style. Some popular alternatives include BlackRiver, BerlinWood, and FlatFace Fingerboards. Each brand offers unique advantages, so explore and see which one works best for you.
Conclusion:
By now, you’re equipped with the knowledge how to use a Tech Deck and take your skills from trash to thrash! From mastering the basics to upgrading your setup and creating epic skateparks, the world of fingerboarding is right at your fingertips. With consistent practice and a dash of creativity, you’ll be landing those tricks and impressing everyone around you. So, carve out some time each day to master the craft, because each session gets you closer to becoming a fingerboarding legend. Grab your Tech Deck and let the shredding begin—your journey to becoming a pro starts now!