A lip slide is a technical skateboarding trick where the skater slides along a rail or ledge with the middle section of the board, lifting the back truck over the obstacle rather than the front. It bears a resemblance to a boardslide but distinguishes itself by which truck clears the obstacle first.
Understanding the Lip Slide
A lip slide involves approaching an obstacle, performing an ollie, and then rotating the board to land perpendicular to the obstacle, sliding on the middle of the deck between the trucks. The defining characteristic is that the skateboarder lifts their back truck over the rail or ledge to initiate the slide, leaving the front truck on the approach side. This creates a distinct visual and physical sensation compared to other slide tricks.
How It Works: The Mechanics
- Approach: Skate parallel to the rail or ledge at a comfortable speed.
- Ollie: Pop an ollie to gain height over the obstacle.
- Rotation & Lock-in: As the board rises, rotate it to be perpendicular to the obstacle. For a backside lip slide, this often involves a pre-ollie rotation, such as a backside 180, before the board locks onto the rail or ledge with its middle section. The key is to clear the obstacle with your back truck.
- Slide: Balance on the middle of your board as you slide along the obstacle. Your weight should be centered, with a slight lean in the direction of the slide to maintain momentum.
- Exit: As you near the end of the obstacle or decide to come off, shift your weight, rotate your body, and bring the board back to its original direction to land smoothly and ride away.
Types of Lip Slides
Lip slides are primarily categorized by the direction the skater faces the obstacle:
- Backside (BS) Lip Slide: In a backside lip slide, the skater approaches the obstacle with their back facing it. To initiate, they perform a backside 180 rotation before locking the middle of their board onto the rail or ledge, clearing the obstacle with their back truck. This means the skater's back remains towards the obstacle throughout the slide.
- Frontside (FS) Lip Slide: For a frontside lip slide, the skater approaches the obstacle with their front (chest) facing it. Similar to the backside version, they lift their back truck over the obstacle, but their front remains towards the rail during the slide. This often involves a frontside 90-degree turn to get into position.
Lip Slide vs. Boardslide: A Key Distinction
While visually similar, the fundamental difference between a lip slide and a boardslide lies in which truck clears the obstacle first and how the board is positioned relative to the skater's body.
| Feature | Lip Slide | Boardslide |
|---|---|---|
| Truck Over Obstacle | Back truck lifts over the rail/ledge. | Front truck lifts over the rail/ledge. |
| Board Position | The board slides on the middle, with the front truck hanging off the approach side. | The board slides on the middle, with the back truck hanging off the approach side. |
| Body Position (BS) | Skater's back faces the obstacle. | Skater's chest faces the obstacle. |
| Body Position (FS) | Skater's chest faces the obstacle. | Skater's back faces the obstacle. |
Understanding this distinction is crucial for both learning and executing these tricks correctly. For more details on boardslides, you can explore resources like Skateboarding.com's guide.
Tips for Learning and Mastering Lip Slides
Mastering the lip slide requires practice and a solid foundation in other basic tricks.
Prerequisites
Before attempting lip slides, ensure you are comfortable with:
- Ollies: To get up onto the obstacle.
- 50-50 Grinds: To understand balance on an obstacle.
- Boardslides: To grasp the concept of sliding on the middle of your board.
Practical Insights
- Start Small: Begin on a low curb or a gentle, waxed ledge before moving to higher rails.
- Wax the Obstacle: A bit of skateboard wax applied to the rail or ledge will reduce friction and make sliding smoother.
- Commitment is Key: Hesitation often leads to bailing. Commit to the ollie and the rotation.
- Body and Head Position: Keep your shoulders aligned with your board. For a backside lip slide, look over your front shoulder in the direction you're sliding.
- Practice the Ollie Rotation: On flat ground, practice the ollie with the 90-degree or 180-degree rotation needed to land perpendicular.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not Lifting the Back Truck Enough: This is the core of the trick. Ensure your back truck fully clears the obstacle.
- Incorrect Weight Distribution: Too much weight on one side can cause you to fall off or get stuck. Keep your weight centered over the board.
- Improper Speed: Too slow, and you won't slide; too fast, and you might lose control. Find a comfortable, consistent speed.
- Hesitation: As with many grind and slide tricks, a lack of commitment often results in an unsuccessful attempt.
Why Lip Slides Are Important
Learning lip slides opens up a new realm of skateboarding. It's a stylish and versatile trick that can be incorporated into lines and used to approach obstacles in unique ways. It also builds core balance and board control, which are transferable skills to a wide array of other street and transition tricks. This trick challenges skaters to refine their precision and timing, making it a rewarding addition to any skater's repertoire. For visual learners, watching professional skaters perform lip slides on platforms like The Berrics can provide valuable insights into technique and style.
