Longboard & Downhill Cheat Sheet

The key takeaways for beginners – pick the right setup, brake safely and avoid speed wobbles from the start.

Setup by style

Item	Priority	Tip
Deck type	High	Top mount for dancing, drop-through for cruising, drop-down for downhill and freeride.
Wheels	High	70 mm/80a for cruising, 72–76 mm at 78–80a as a downhill starting point – almost twice as soft as skateboard wheels.
Wheelbase	Medium	Over 43 cm for a calm, straight ride – downhill wants length and stability, not agility.

The first metres

Find your stance: Regular or goofy – have someone give you a gentle push and see which foot instinctively steps forward.
Balance on grass: Practise balance without rolling away before the board picks up speed on asphalt.
Foot brake first: Set the heel down gently first, build pressure gradually – nail it before any downhill comes into play.

The 3 golden technique rules

Factor 1: Push on both sides

Concept: Regular (back foot pushes) and mongo (front foot pushes) are equally valid on a longboard – unlike in street skating. Tip: Practise switching feet while riding (skogging): an even, economical rhythm carries you further than hard single pushes.

Factor 2: Weight against speed wobbles

Concept: Speed wobbles oscillate at 4–10 Hz, faster than you can consciously counter-steer – over 90% come from too much weight on the back foot. Tip: Keep almost all your weight on the front foot at speed. If it happens, shift even more forward and bend deeper instead of steering frantically.

Factor 3: Slides break grip on purpose

Concept: A slide breaks the wheels' grip on purpose instead of losing it – that's the difference from a crash. Tip: Carve progressively tighter until the wheels squeal. In the Coleman slide, set your puck-gloved hand down gently – slide gloves are mandatory.

Braking & downhill

Technique	How it works
Foot brake	Bend the front leg, set the heel down gently first, build pressure gradually – the most reliable base technique.
Air brake	Rise out of the tuck and stand wider – bleeds speed passively via air resistance, doesn't replace the foot brake.
Tuck position	Knees around 90°, torso nearly horizontal – the biggest speed lever in a race, train it on land.
Drafting	Stay directly behind another rider in their slipstream, with a safe gap – saves energy or gains you positions.

Safety & race gear

Drill new techniques flat first: Every new braking technique belongs on flat, slow ground first – not on your first real hill.
Take wobbles seriously: Triggered from around 40 km/h by bumps, loose trucks or too much rear weight – check your setup beforehand.
Race protective gear: Full-face helmet, leathers, puck gloves and a CE-1+ back protector are mandatory at races under IDF standards.

Pro tip: Wobbles start quietly – a fine shiver in the front wheel at speed. Shift weight forward immediately instead of countersteering, and you catch them before they grow.