Ollie vs Nollie: Differences and How to Learn Both (2026)
An ollie pops off the tail; a nollie pops off the nose. Here's how foot positions change, why nollies feel awkward and how to learn them.
The Difference in One Line
An ollie pops off the tail with your back foot. A nollie ("nose ollie") pops off the nose with your front foot, while you stay in your normal stance and roll forward.
Side-by-Side
| Ollie | Nollie | |
|---|---|---|
| Pop | Tail | Nose |
| Popping foot | Back foot | Front foot |
| Sliding foot | Front foot slides to the nose | Back foot slides toward the tail |
| Difficulty | Foundation trick | Harder for most |
| Learn | First | After a solid ollie |
Similar Tricks Compared
| Trick | Direction | Stance | Pop |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ollie | Forward | Normal | Tail |
| Nollie | Forward | Normal | Nose |
| Fakie ollie | Backward | Normal | Tail |
| Switch ollie | Forward | Opposite | Tail |
How to Nollie
- Roll slowly. Place your front foot on the nose, toes near the edge.
- Place your back foot just behind the back bolts, near the middle.
- Crouch, then pop the nose down with your front foot.
- Slide your back foot up toward the tail to level the board.
- Lift your knees and land over the bolts.
Nollie Variations
| Trick | What It Is |
|---|---|
| Nollie 180 | Nollie while rotating 180 degrees, frontside or backside |
| Nollie shove-it | Pop the nose and scoop the board 180 degrees |
| Nollie kickflip | Nollie with a kickflip, flicked by the back foot |
| Nollie heelflip | Nollie with a heelflip, flicked by the back foot's heel |
| Nollie backside 360 | Nollie with a full backside rotation |
Rodney Mullen is credited with inventing the nollie backside 360. Skaters like Karl Watson, Shuriken Shannon and Sean Malto are well known for their nollies.
Why Learn the Nollie?
- It opens up a whole second set of tricks.
- Nollie tricks onto ledges and over gaps look different and stylish.
- It builds control of your front foot, which helps every trick.
- Some skaters find nollie flip tricks easier than their switch versions.
Tips
- Practice stationary on grass first.
- Keep your shoulders square.
- Start small; height comes later.
- Commit your weight over the board.
Practice Plan
- Practice nose pops standing still on grass or carpet.
- Roll slowly and do small nollies over a line.
- Add height: bend your knees more and snap the nose harder.
- Try nollies over a small object, like a flattened cardboard box.
- Learn nollie 180s and shove-its once nollies feel steady.
Learn the Ollie First
See how to ollie and ollie higher. Then try flip tricks and easy beginner tricks.
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Check Price on AmazonFrequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an ollie and a nollie?
An ollie is popped off the tail with your back foot. A nollie is popped off the nose with your front foot while riding in your normal stance.
Which should I learn first?
Learn the ollie first. Most tricks build on it.
Why are nollies harder?
Your weaker foot does the popping, and the motion feels reversed.
Is a nollie the same as a fakie ollie?
No. A fakie ollie is rolling backward and popping the tail; a nollie is rolling forward and popping the nose.
Is a nollie the same as a switch ollie?
Similar motion, but a switch ollie is done in your opposite stance popping the tail, while a nollie keeps your normal stance and pops the nose.