The Physics of the Ollie The ollie is one of the most fundamental tricks for skateboarders, it is what allows skaters to learn tricks such as the kickflip, heelflip, ollies with spins, and fundamentally all other tricks. The ollie is based off of a first class lever which allows the board to go up into the air. By pressing down on the load, which will then snap the board into the air, and then sliding your foot to balance the lever (board) thus giving you height. Along with the forces that applied on the board it depends on the height that the person can jump, the goal is to slide your foot, but apply no forces on the board in the y-axis. Stage 1 the skateboarder is crouched down preparing to do an ollie, he's almost ready to pop the board. All of the forces end up being equivilent to zero, since the skater is yet to move. In stage 2, the skater straightens his legs and the tail then hits the ground, and tilts the board. He then moves his other foot and slides it catching on the grip tape to then level the board and gain some air. In stage 3 the right foot looses contact and his left continues to grab the board and drag it to it being leveled. In stage 4 the board is fully leveled and he now has both feet contacting the board. He will now land on the bolts of the board, which will give the most stable landing.