# Footplant Tricks

Part of the Skating Merit Badge Digital Resource Guide: [Introduction & Overview](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/skating/guide/index.md)

*2. Option D — Skateboarding*

> **2d14e.** Footplant tricks.

Footplant tricks involve the skater briefly removing one foot from the board, planting it on a surface (the ramp lip, a ledge, or the ground), and then returning the foot to the board to continue riding. They combine aerial balance with precise foot timing. Demonstrate at least one trick from this category.

### Common Footplant Tricks

**Boneless:** A classic, creative trick. While riding toward a curb or the lip of a ramp:
1. Reach down with your front hand and grab the board's toe-side edge.
2. Plant your front foot on the ground (or the lip surface).
3. Use the planted foot to spring upward, jumping the board into the air.
4. Return your front foot to the board while airborne.
5. Land and ride away.

The boneless has a distinctive, old-school feel and is one of the most iconic footplant tricks in skateboarding history.

**Andrecht (ramp version):** On a ramp, the skater plants a foot on the coping at the lip while grabbing the board. Named after Simi Valley skater Dave Andrecht.

**Slob plant / mute plant:** A footplant combined with a mute grab, where the rider grabs the board while planting a foot on the lip.

### What Makes a Footplant Recognizable

For your counselor demonstration, the key elements are:
- One foot clearly leaves the board.
- That foot contacts a surface (ground, lip, ledge).
- The foot returns to the board.
- The trick is completed with a landing back on the board.

The boneless on flat ground or off a curb is the most accessible footplant trick for beginners and clearly satisfies the requirement.

> **Tip**
>
> Practice the boneless motion slowly at first — stop on your planted foot and hold the position to feel the balance before adding the jump. Building comfort with the one-footed plant position prevents falls during the actual trick.

## Official Resources

Video: [How to Boneless (video)](https://youtu.be/wUZpFX0CS1g)

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