Push, Cruise & Carve
This requirement tests the three fundamental movement skills on a skateboard: generating speed (pushing), maintaining it (cruising), and steering (carving). All three are demonstrated on flat ground.
Pushing
- Start in your natural stance with both feet on the board.
- Place your front foot over the front truck bolts, angled slightly forward (about 30–45°).
- Shift your weight to the front foot.
- Lower the back foot off the board to the ground.
- Push backward along the pavement with the back foot — a smooth, deliberate stroke.
- After the push, bring the back foot back up to the board in riding position (parallel to the deck, slightly angled, over the rear truck).
- Repeat as needed to build and maintain speed.
The quality of a push comes from using the whole foot — a full flat-footed stroke, not just a toe-push.
Cruising
Cruising is simply riding in a balanced, upright position at comfortable speed without pushing or turning aggressively. Both feet are on the board. Focus on:
- Balanced weight distribution. Neither too much weight on the nose (which dips the nose) nor the tail (which drags the tail). Center your weight between both trucks.
- Relaxed knees. Slightly bent knees absorb small pavement irregularities and lower your center of gravity.
- Eyes forward. Look where you are going, 20–30 feet ahead, not at the board.
Carving
Carving is steering the skateboard in smooth, flowing arcs — like a surfer carving a wave. It uses truck lean (pressure through the toes or heels) to change direction.
- Toeside carve (heelside turn): Press your toes down — the board will tilt and turn in the direction your toes point (away from you).
- Heelside carve (toeside turn): Press down through your heels — the board tilts and turns toward you.
Keep your knees bent and fluid during carves. The key is body lean — your whole body lean into the turn, not just ankle pressure.