Penny Board Tricks You Can Actually Learn (2026)
Penny boards are made for cruising, but you can still learn plenty of tricks. Here are the moves that work best on small plastic boards.
Tricks That Suit Small Boards
Penny boards (22") and Nickel boards (27") are plastic cruisers designed for riding around, but their light weight and kicktail make some tricks fun. Start with balance and turning tricks, then work up to pops.
Penny Tricks by Difficulty
| Trick | Difficulty | What It Teaches |
|---|---|---|
| Tic-tac | Easy | Tail control |
| Kickturn | Easy | Pivoting on the back wheels |
| Manual | Medium | Balance |
| Shove-it | Medium | Board rotation |
| Pop shove-it | Medium to hard | Pop plus rotation |
| Ollie | Hard on a penny | Pop and lift |
| Powerslide | Medium to hard | Sliding (soft wheels make it harder) |
1. Tic-Tac
Press the tail lightly and swing the nose side to side to move forward without pushing.
2. Kickturn
Press the tail to lift the nose and pivot 90 or 180 degrees. Great for turning around in tight spaces.
3. Manual
Balance on the back wheels while rolling. The short deck makes the balance point small, so practice on grass first.
4. Shove-It
Scoop the tail so the board spins 180 degrees under you, then land on it. Light penny boards spin easily.
5. Ollie
Pop the tail and slide your front foot forward; the short deck means smaller movements. Start stationary on grass. See how to ollie.
More Tricks to Try
| Trick | How It Works |
|---|---|
| Curb hop | Pop the tail and lift your knees to hop up a small curb |
| Hippie jump | Jump straight up while the board rolls under a small obstacle, and land back on it |
| Fakie kickturn | Roll backward and kickturn to face forward |
| No comply | Step your front foot off and pop the board up with your back foot |
| Tail stall | Stall on the coping of a small quarterpipe on your tail |
| Powerslide | Turn the board sideways to slide and slow down (harder on soft wheels; gloves help) |
Which Penny Size Is Best for Tricks?
The 22" is the hardest for most tricks because there's so little room. The 27" Nickel gives more foot space, and Penny's larger 32" cruiser is the easiest of the three. See Nickel vs Penny.
Tips for Penny Boards
- Keep feet over the trucks; there's little room.
- Small boards are twitchy, so stay relaxed with knees bent.
- Smooth ground matters; small wheels stop on pebbles.
- The plastic deck can be slippery and flexes, so slides and boardslides are tricky.
- Bend your knees and keep your feet apart on landings so the board doesn't shoot out.
- Wear a helmet and wrist guards.
Boards
Compare sizes in Nickel vs Penny, browse penny boards, and see easy beginner tricks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you do tricks on a penny board?
Yes, especially kickturns, tic-tacs, manuals, shove-its and small ollies. Complex flip tricks are harder on small boards.
Can you ollie on a penny board?
Yes, but the short tail and plastic deck make it trickier than on a regular skateboard.
Is a 22 or 27 inch penny better for tricks?
The 22-inch is quicker to spin; the 27-inch gives more foot room for manuals and ollies.
Are penny boards good for learning to skate?
They're fun for cruising, but a standard skateboard is easier for learning tricks.
What safety gear do I need?
A helmet and wrist guards at minimum; small boards can stop suddenly on cracks.