Why the trick is named the ollie and what the ollie actually is
The ollie is the foundational skateboarding jump that lets riders lift the board into the air without using their hands. It is named after Alan "Ollie" Gelfand, a Florida skateboarder who invented the maneuver in the early 1970s and got his nickname from his surname sounding like "Ollie." The trick involves popping the tail, sliding the front foot to level the board, and timing the movements so the rider and board stay together. Because it underpins nearly every modern skateboarding trick, the name and technique have remained closely tied to Gelfand’s legacy in skateboarding history.
Origin of the name: Alan Gelfand and the nickname Ollie
Alan Gelfand and how he became "Ollie"
In the mid‑1970s, Alan Gelfand developed a way to jump with the skateboard without grabbing it, first using it in empty pools and informal contests. Because his surname, Gelfand, was unusual, friends started calling him "Ollie," a playful, shortened version that matched his first name Alan in spirit. The nickname stuck, and when others described the trick he was the one doing it, the move became known as the ollie. No brand or marketing pushed the name; it grew organically from skaters referring to the person who invented and popularized the trick.
How the ollie works: basic steps and mechanics
An ollie has three core phases that must coordinate for the board to jump smoothly:
- Popping the tail: the rider strikes the tail on the ground to create an upward snap.
- Sliding the front foot: the front foot slides toward the nose, leveling the board in the air.
- Lifting the back foot: the rider pulls the back foot up so both feet stay above the board while it levels.
Height and consistency depend on the speed of the pop, the timing of the slide, and the balance of the feet. Because the trick requires synchronizing foot placement and body motion, beginners often practice on flat ground before trying it on ramps or stairs. The mechanics explain why the board rotates evenly and how the rider appears to stay attached to it through the entire jump.
Historical context and evolution of the ollie
Before the ollie, skateboarders largely moved by pushing or riding transitions like empty pools and ramps. Gelfand’s invention let riders clear gaps, obstacles, and ledges by lifting the board into the air, transforming street skating possibilities. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, skaters in California and New York adapted and refined the technique, integrating it into freestyle, street, and vert styles. Over time, variations such as the nollie, switch ollie, and fakie ollie emerged, all tracing their roots back to the original method Gelfand popularized. The move became a standard building block because it required no equipment, only coordination and practice.
Impact on skateboarding and lasting legacy
A foundational trick for modern skateboarding
The ollie serves as the baseline for countless flip tricks, grinds, and combinations, which is why it is emphasized in tutorials, skatepark culture, and beginner lessons. Its straightforward name and clear inventor make it easy to refer to when teaching progression. Because the trick remains relevant across disciplines—from street rails to large vert ramps—references to the ollie persist in videos, coaching, and product design. The relationship between the trick and the person behind the nickname illustrates how skateboarding culture turns techniques into lasting identifiers.
Key facts and timeline at a glance
| Date or Period | Event | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Early 1970s | Alan Gelfand invents the no-handed jump in Florida pools | Establishes the technique that becomes the ollie |
| Mid‑1970s | Friends nickname Gelfand "Ollie" | Leads to the trick being called the ollie |
| Late 1970s–early 1980s | Skaters in California and New York adapt the ollie to streets and vert | Integrates the trick into mainstream skateboarding |
| 1983 | Rodney Mullen popularizes the kickflip using the ollie as a base | Shows how the ollie enables more complex tricks |
| 1990s–present | Ollie taught in lessons, used in contests, and referenced in product design | Cements the trick as a core element of skateboarding |
Variations and how they relate to the original ollie
- Nollie: popping the nose instead of the tail while rolling forward.
- Switch ollie: performing the ollie while riding in the opposite natural stance.
- Fakie ollie: riding backward and popping the tail to maintain direction.
- Heelflip and kickflip: both rely on first executing a solid ollie to lift the board.
These variations retain the core mechanics—popping, sliding, and leveling—while changing stance or which part of the board initiates the pop. Understanding the standard ollie makes it easier to learn these derivatives because the foot motion and timing remain familiar.
Common mistakes and how to correct them
- Not popping hard enough: leads to low jumps; focus on a quick, sharp tap of the tail.
- Front foot sliding too late or too early: causes the nose to shoot up or the board to tilt; practice sliding just after the pop.
- Keeping the back foot too high or too low: hinders balance; aim to level the board by lifting the leg comfortably.
- Looking down instead of forward: affects direction; keep your gaze toward where you want to land.
Correcting these issues is mostly a matter of timing and repetition. Slow‑motion practice, foot-position drills, and gentle pops help build the coordination needed for consistent, higher ollies.
Summary
The term ollie comes from Alan Gelfand, whose nickname—Ollie—was attached to the no-handed jump he invented in the 1970s. The trick’s name follows the person who created it, a common pattern in skateboarding where techniques are linked to the innovators who popularized them. By breaking down the motion into pop, slide, and lift, riders can understand why the ollie remains the central jump in skateboarding and why its name has endured for decades.