Riding a hoverboard is simple enough, but it takes some practice to get the hang of it. If you’ve mastered stepping onto your board, shifting your weight forward and backward to move in the corresponding directions, and dismounting safely, you’re ready to take your skill set up to the next level.
We’ve grouped them by easy and more advanced to let you learn the stunts as your skill level progresses.
Easy Hoverboard Tricks
These five easy tricks are the perfect introduction to how to take your hoverboarding skills to the next level. Be sure to practice them on a completely flat, smooth surface when you’re first learning. It’s also a good idea to have a friend nearby to act as a “spotter” for safety. Finally, make sure that you wear safety equipment like knee and elbow pads, and a helmet when you’re doing tricks on your hands-free segue as it’s possible you might fall, and it’s important to protect yourself. Ready to buy a hoverboard? Check out our hoverboard reviews before you do so.
Bounceback
The hoverboard bounce back is a challenging move because it requires you to shift your weight quickly while maintaining your balance. In this maneuver, you go from moving forward to backward very fast, giving the appearance of bouncing backward.
To do it, you’ll want to keep your knees bent, and your weight centered on your board. Start off slowly so that you know what to expect, and then work up do doing the trick at full speed for a significant impact.
180-Degree Hoverboard Turn
Some of the most impressive tricks you can do on your hands-free eMobile device are turns. In popular dance videos, the performers have mastered the art of executing a turn while moving forward or backward, and it’s easier to do than you might think.
If you’re first starting out, try learning to turn on your board from a stationary position. To do this, you will shift your weight into one foot pressing forward with that foot while your opposite foot shifts slightly backward. This will begin the hoverboard turn.
In the 180-degree trick, you’ll start facing the front and then turn yourself around half way so that you finish facing the back.
360-Degree Hoverboard Turn
The 360-degree hoverboard turn is an extension of the 180-degree turn we described above. You use the same methodology, only this time you’ll turn yourself all the way around so that you both start and end facing in the same direction.
Once you are comfortable turning on your hoverboard, add to the challenge and the difficulty of the stunt by getting a running head start. Pick a street that is long and flat, and begin moving in a forward direction. Without stopping, shift your weight to execute a turn. If you do a 360-degree turn, you should do a complete about-face and continue down the direction you were headed after your trick.
Lean Back Turn
A turn with a hip hop vibe, the lean back turn adds a funky twist to your standard 360. It also helps to give your spin speed and makes it easy to get more than one rotation on your board.
To do it, stand on your board and begin to execute your turn exactly the way you would in your 360 turn. This time, add a bend to the leg that is on the inside of the turn and press the leg to the outside out straight so that you’re leaning into the spin. In other words, the leg that corresponds to the foot that’s pushing forward and initiating the movement should have a bend, and the leg with the foot that’s dropping backward remains relatively straight.
Once this turn gets going, don’t get panicked if you go for more than one revolution. You will pick up speed as you go, so it’s possible to rotate two or three times without much effort. It’s helpful to look at the toe of your inside shoe to keep from getting dizzy and maintain balance.
Hoverboard Swivel
In addition to turning, the weaving motion of a hoverboard swivel looks cool and is a great compliment to dance choreography. You can do it moving forward or backward. To master the movement, shift your weight side to side in a figure-eight motion quickly. It will feel like your board is getting ready to turn, but you’ll shift your weight again before it does.
Some riders find it helpful to practice this movement to music to have a beat as a reminder to shift side to side.
Advanced Hoverboard Tricks
If you have the knack of shifting your weight quickly to execute turns and swivels on your board, you’re probably ready to try your hand at one of these more advanced techniques.
Same Side Hoverboard Turn
To safely ride your hoverboard, you should keep your feet planted on either side. That said, if you want to take your trick turns up a notch, you can go for a turn with both of your feet on the same board platform as you see in this video.
To do it, you’ll need both forward and spinning momentum before you shift your feet onto one side. This stunt takes a lot of balance, but it looks seriously cool if you get it right.
Hoverboard Handstand
Gymnasts, acrobats, and people who are good at yoga have started adding a handstand twist to their hoverboard tricks.
If you have completely mastered a handstand on solid ground and have unshakable balance, you can take it to your board to do some seriously impressive stunts. You’ll need to be able to both hold a handstand and walk a bit on your hands to get in the right position on your board.
Even if you are experienced at balancing upside down, it’s highly recommended that you practice these with a friend nearby to give you a helping hand, and possibly some moral support, when you need it.