Freestyle Competition Hints by National Skateboard Review

Freestyle Competition Hints by National Skateboard Review

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Author	National Skateboard Review
Category	Tips
Date	January , 1978

For those of you getting more and more involved with freestyle contests here is a list of things to keep in mind. They will make your routines more professional, more polished, and should increase your scoring.

Skate to Music

Planning your tricks to move to music will smooth out the choppiness so often found in beginners' routines. Pick a song that has a good beat and a smooth rhythm. Always practice to that music.

Plan Out Your Routine Ahead of Time

Plan out on paper what tricks you want to do and when to do them. Keep in mind the position that you are in when finishing one trick and how easily could you go into the next one. Always do the tricks in that same order. If they don't seem to fit together right, by all means, make changes; but once it is set, stick to it.

Do a Variety of Tricks

Don't do just ramp work or gymnastics, etc. Include all kinds of tricks: basics, aerials (wear a helmet for aerials), and gymnastics.

Don't Repeat Tricks

Once or twice is good; but caution that you don't fill your time with anyone, or two kinds of tricks.

Make Good Use of the Area Provided

Don't get caught limiting yourself to only one end of the space or, perhaps, to one prop (ie. Ramps). Use all the floor space they'll give you.

Keep the Boards to a Minimum

It is better to use one or two boards well than to try to find something to do with a lot of them.

Buy Your Own Safety Gear

The more you practice under the contest conditions, the better you'll do. If you have to use someone else's gear you will not be used to it and it may throw you off.

Look Sharp

Wear coordinated colors; have a clean appearance. This is very subtle influence, but a professional appearance cannot help but make your routine look more professional.

Don't Let Friend, or Team, Support Overwhelm the Routine

Applause and low cheering may be inspiring to the skater but too much can interfere with the judges giving you their undivided attention.

Be Sure You Can Do the Trick Well

Jumping sports cars or 15 people may start out impressive but unless you can pull it off consistently in practice, leave it out of the competition's routine. You're much better off to stick to the tricks you KNOW you can do, even if they are easier. It tells the judges that you know your routine and tricks so well you can leave out the tricks you will not complete with good form; that is called good control.

Fill Your Allotted Time Well

Have enough tricks to fill the time they give you. Find out ahead of time if you get 1 1/4 or 2 minutes - then practice with that time limit. Bruce Logan knows so many tricks it takes him ten minutes to do all of them once.

Save Something Flashy to End Your Routine

But be sure you can do it. Nothing is worse than to start or end a routine with a trick that looks like it'll be hot but then bets blown.

SMILE

For obvious reasons.

Don't Swear

For obvious reason. (Unless you are a Brit or an Aussie, then it is encouraged)

Good luck! Competition can be the thing to get you to study, practice, and really improve yourself. Or it can be so deflating that you feel like you don't want to face any of the friends who came to watch. It is our hope that these pointers can help make the difference.

This information was under advise from Brian Logan and provided courtesy of the Pacific International Skateboard Association.

This article was published by Di Dootson in National Skateboard Review Issue No. 2 - Vol. 9, January 1978.