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It's sort of ironic, but one of the most intimidating tricks for beginner skateboarders is simply dropping in on a ramp. We've all been there! In fact, I can still remember the excitement I felt when I first learned how to drop in many, many moons ago. The feeling of vertigo can be real and it's one of the first tricks in skateboarding that you really can't bail. Honestly, you only have two options—commit or slam!
But fear not. With the right technique, a little practice and a lot of confidence, you can conquer the drop in with ease. Let me just say...your life will never be the same again! Amelia Brodka—Olympian, pro skateboarder and all-around ripper—is here to hook you up with some step-by-step instructions on how to drop in with confidence in the video above. And I'm here to add some personal context as well below. Man, I can hear the celebratory screams already! Let's get after it:
Step 1: Get Your Positioning and Stance Down
Figuring out your proper foot positioning and a comfortable stance is the first and most important step when it comes to dropping in. Actually, let's be honest—simply getting up on top of the ramp and preparing yourself for that first plunge is really the first step, but these are a few of the steps that will follow:
- Place your board's tail on the coping at the top of the ramp you're about to drop in on and place your back foot on it nice and firm with your toes doing most of the work. Even this might feel a little scary, but at this point, you're already basically halfway there! (Let your heel hang off the edge a bit if needed.)
- Keep your front foot parallel to your back foot and when you're ready, place your front foot on your board's front bolts for stability. This might sort of feel like a balancing act, but it's a great way to start getting a feel for your weight distribution. Okay, now you're really halfway there.
Step 2: Try Dropping In On a Bank (Optional)
Before we go any further, it's worth mentioning that if you're still in the early stages of building confidence (hey, no rush), it can helpful to practice dropping in on a bank instead of a quarter pipe. Banks are often flatter, less daunting and not nearly as fast as regular transition, making it easier to practice your technique and establish your foot positioning and stance. The best part is, you can typically start in the middle—or even the bottom—of a bank to ease into the process. Keep going until you get to the top! From there, well, that quarter pipe and/or steeper transition will be calling your name.
Step 3: Conquer Your Fears and Commit
Okay, back to the transition. Above all, dropping in requires commitment and confidence. It's sort of that simple, in an easier said than done kind of way. But to avoid fear and hesitation, it's absolutely crucial to drop-in with one fluid motion. If you follow these steps, you'll be a local legend at your hometown park in no time:
- Stand at the top of the ramp and take a moment to mentally prepare yourself. I'd like to say take as much time as you need, but honestly...don't overthink it. Get up there knowing you're ready to take the plunge.
- If it helps—count to three (or just take a big, deep breath), lean your front foot into your top bolts and shift your weight forward. This is the scary part, sure, but you'll soon learn that's really all it takes.
- Remember, you want to push down pretty hard with your front foot, almost like you're squishing a bug on your board. And again, just lean your body forward.
- Chances are you're going to need to lean further forward than you think is comfortable. Think about it? Your front wheels have quite a way to go before reaching the transition you're dropping into. So lean hard!
- From there, try your best to keep your weight centered and avoid leaning too far back (or forward, although I know that might be confusing considering what I just said in Step 4), as this will cause you to lose balance. Trust me, you'll find your comfort zone pretty quickly! Just commit.
Step 4: Trust Yourself and Gradually Progress
The only thing left to do from there is go for it! You'll probably be surprised at how fast you start to progress after learning how to drop in. Skateparks will be way more fun, sessions will get way more heated and your bag of tricks will start getting deeper and deeper with every plunge you take. In time, start taking your drop in to bigger ramps and just use the same exact tips that helped you the first time. The fact that you'll already know your body has learned the necessary motions will be a game-changer, but I will say—the bigger the drop in, the bigger the risk. Just avoid hesitation as often as you can and trust in your abilities!
Let me just say—learning how to drop in is challenging. No reason to beat around the bush! It's scary up there and every skateboarder on the planet will deal with their own mental hurdles when learning how to do it. If it was easy, it wouldn't be nearly as rewarding! But once you conquer the drop in, everything changes. Just remember—trust the process and, most importantly, trust yourself and fully commit.
It's often one of those things that make you stop and think, "Wait...that was it?" But getting to that point takes some confidence and fearlessness. You gotta want it! That said, if you're here reading this, that means you do want it. Which means you're already one step closer to conquering this essential skateboarding trick and opening up a whole new world of possibilities.
More Skills To Learn. Watch These How To Skate Videos:
- Beginner’s Guide: Learn The Foundations of Skateboarding
- Turning: Tic Tac and Carving
- Pumping
- Rock Fakie
- Ollie
Some Common Questions:
Should I start dropping in on a bank or a quarter pipe?
As mentioned, if you're a beginner or simply in the early stages of building confidence, it's better to start dropping in on a bank rather than a quarter pipe. But hey, if you're fearless and ready to take the plunge, by all means ditch the QP and get going!
How do I avoid hesitation while dropping in on a skateboard?
Commit, commit, commit! I guess I can answer this question with another question—how do you avoid hesitation? If you commit fully to the motion in one fluid movement and take a second to mentally prepare yourself, the rest will happen naturally. Trust yourself. Embrace the fact that you might fall a few times. And simply let it happen. It's all part of the process, and trust me, you will land it in due time.
What if I'm afraid of heights? Can I overcome this fear?
Dropping in is already scary enough, but if you're afraid of heights, well...it's going to be a little extra challenging. Don't worry, though. You aren't the only one! Just take it step by step, and again, don't be afraid to work your way up from smaller ramps or banks. Practice is a great way to gain confidence and conquer fear. So is repetitiveness! Both will help you overcome your fear of heights, for one, and who knows? You might come out of the process ready to go skydiving or something! But yeah, above all, just remember that it's a process. Be patient. And don't forget to celebrate all wins—big and small!
How long does it usually take to learn how to drop in?
Like everything in skateboarding, the length of time it takes to learn how to drop in will vary from person to person. So many things come into play! Do you have access to a good skatepark for beginners? Do you have a bank to practice on? Do you have the time to put in the work? The list goes on. And that's not even mentioning all the different fear levels we each possess. It's a loaded question. The simple answer is: as long as you want (or need) it to take. Maybe you'll get it your first session? Maybe it's a month down the road? Maybe longer? Practice, commitment and determination are key. Just don't rush it. You'll know when it's time. Who knows? Maybe today is the day!
