Learn how to skate hips in transition

Hips are one of the most fun and challenging features to skate in a skatepark. They can be intimidating at first, but once you learn the right techniques, you'll be able to carve, grind, and air over them with ease. In this blog post, we'll cover the basics of how to skate hips, including foot placement, speed, and body positioning.

Step 1: Approach with speed

Before you even get to the hip, you need to build up some speed. You want to be going fast enough to carry your momentum over the lip of the hip. Approach the hip with your knees slightly bent and your weight centered over your board. Pump your arms to gain speed and keep your eyes focused on where you want to go.

Step 2: Position your feet correctly

As you near the lip of the hip, position your feet correctly. Your front foot should be angled slightly toward the nose of your board, while your back foot should be angled slightly toward the tail. Keep your weight centered over your board and your knees bent.

Step 3: Carve over the hip

Once you reach the lip of the hip, carve over it by leaning your weight slightly in the direction you want to go. You can either carve back and forth or make a smooth, sweeping turn. The key is to keep your body centered over your board and maintain your speed.

Step 4: Grind or slide the coping

If the hip has coping (the metal or plastic edge that runs along the top), you can grind or slide it. Approach the coping at an angle and use your front truck to lock onto it. Keep your weight centered over your board and your knees bent. You can either grind the coping or slide along it, depending on your skill level.

Step 5: Air over the hip

Once you've mastered carving and grinding the hip, you can start to air over it. Build up speed and approach the lip at an angle. As you reach the lip, pop your board and lift your legs up to clear the hip. Keep your eyes focused on where you want to land and prepare to absorb the impact.

Skating hips takes practice and patience, but with the right techniques, you can master this fun and challenging feature. Remember to approach with speed, position your feet correctly, and maintain your body position. With time and dedication, you'll be able to carve, grind, and air over hips like a pro.