The Boneless: An Old-School Classic
The boneless is a timeless skateboarding trick that combines a grab, a jump, and a stylish landing, dating back to the 1970s vert skating era. Popularized by skaters like Steve Caballero, it’s a versatile move that works on flatground, ramps, or streets, setting the stage for tricks like the ollie or kickflip. Unlike the ollie, the boneless uses one foot off the board to propel you, giving it a unique flow. Whether you’re a beginner mastering riding basics or an intermediate skater adding flair, the boneless brings old-school cool to your sessions.
Use our guide and the Skate Tricks app to nail the boneless at a skatepark near you, found with the Skate Tricks Map!
How to Do a Boneless: Step-by-Step
Follow these steps to learn the boneless in your regular stance. Practice on flat ground or a smooth skatepark, and wear a helmet for safety.
- Position Your Feet: Place your front foot near the middle of the board, angled slightly, and your back foot on the tail, ready to step off. Bend your knees for balance, as in a basic ride.
- Step Off with Back Foot: Shift your weight to your front foot and step your back foot off the board to the ground, keeping it close to the board’s edge.
- Grab the Board: As you step off, bend down and grab the board’s underside (near the front trucks) with your front hand (left hand for regular, right for goofy).
- Jump and Lift: Push off the ground with your back foot, jumping upward while pulling the board up with your grabbing hand and front foot. Tuck your knees for height.
- Land Smoothly: Release the grab mid-air, place both feet back on the board (over the bolts), and bend your knees to absorb the landing, rolling away clean.
Start by practicing the step-off and grab without jumping, then add the jump for height. The Skate Tricks app’s slow-motion tutorials can help you time the grab and landing. Download it now to master the boneless!
Why Learn the Boneless?
The boneless isn’t just a trick—it’s a nod to skateboarding’s roots and a versatile tool for your bag of tricks. Here’s why it’s worth learning:
- Adds Old-School Style: The boneless’s smooth grab and flow stand out in modern sessions, giving you retro cred.
- Improves Coordination: Combining a step-off, grab, and jump sharpens your body control, aiding tricks like the 50-50 grind.
- Versatile for Transitions: Use it to pop onto ledges or out of ramps, as in rock to fakie, for seamless lines.
- Gateway to Variations: Master the boneless, then try frontside or backside 180 bonelesses for extra flair, similar to a pop shove-it.
Practice at a spot found with the Skate Tricks Map and bring some 80s vibe to your skate game!
Skate Tricks App: Your Boneless Coach
The Skate Tricks app is your go-to for learning the boneless and leveling up your skating, with features to keep you progressing:
- Video Tutorials: Slow-motion breakdowns show the grab, jump, and landing in detail.
- Skate Dice: Randomize tricks to mix bonelesses into fun combos.
- Game of Skate: Challenge friends to boneless battles for bragging rights.
- Global Map: Find over 30,000 skateparks worldwide to practice, as featured in our Map update.
Download the Skate Tricks app today and add the boneless to your trick list with confidence!