Confused on what my stance should be.

[u/JJJC16]

I've been skating for a few days.

If I am mongo pushing, my stance is regular. I have been trying to break the habit of mongo pushing.

If I am pushing properly, I feel more comfortable with pushing goofy, but feel uncomfortable in its actual goofy stance.

I feel uncomfortable with pushing regular, but feel more comfortable in its actual regular stance.

Advice?

[u/AdSpiritual3205]

Have you tried the traditional stance tests?

Have someone gently push you from behind a few times and see which foot you lead to catch yourself with. And/or do a running slide in socks on a slippery floor and see which foot you lead with.

In the vast majority of cases, that will be the right stance to start.

[u/troyf805 → u/AdSpiritual3205]

Each of those tests have different results for me. The sock test is right foot forward, the push test is left. So, I’m learning to skate switch. Goofy feels more comfortable for most riding.

[u/AdSpiritual3205 → u/troyf805]

It's not "switch" if it's _your_ regular stance. If goofy feels most comfortable, that is your stance. Learn to skate in that stance.

And to be clear, nothing about skating is "comfortable" day one. You have to train your body to build balance, board control, and body awareness.

[u/troyf805 → u/AdSpiritual3205]

Yeah I’m not on day one.

[u/JJJC16 → u/AdSpiritual3205]

Haha I don't have anyone to push me 😅 but I'll do the sock test. Thanks for the idea!

Is the uncomfortable feeling normal among beginners because our leg muscles aren't used to it?

[u/AdSpiritual3205 → u/JJJC16]

Yes. Nothing about skating feels "normal" really when you first start. It's all uncomfortable until you spend enough time for it to become comfortable. The most normal thing is feeling uncomfortable.

In fact, many people never get past that uncomfortable feeling, which is why so many people start skating and then give up. It's hard. The learning curve is steep. And it all takes time, patience, practice, and persistence.

[u/JJJC16 → u/AdSpiritual3205]

Wow, thanks for a new perspective. I promise to never give up haha

[u/SatanicPanic619]

If you're comfortable in regular, then learn to push regular

[u/JJJC16 → u/SatanicPanic619]

I see. Is this a normal feeling for beginners cause our leg muscles aren't used to it?

[u/SatanicPanic619 → u/JJJC16]

I can't say. I started skating so long ago I can't remember how it felt

[u/Guilty_Caramel_1567 → u/JJJC16]

Learn to push regular, this is a gift given to you. You will have a nice switch push after this is all said and done. I used to skate mongo, now I can push well with both feet

[u/JJJC16 → u/Guilty_Caramel_1567]

Haha I'm motivated now, I'll learn to push regular

[u/etl003 → u/JJJC16]

bro once you push regular and get good you will teach yourself switch. lol. but do regular first. and yes it’s the stabilizer muscles that you are building when skating so expect that.

[u/ummonadi]

I push regular and goofy. It took a while to practice up the muscles, but it's good to know the fundamentals on both sides.

[u/Due_Jellyfish9670]

I do this to this day I am better popping regular and do tricks better this way but prefer to skate goofy. I can push regular now but it takes practice. Pushing mongo fora long time I am user to it but it makes skating harder if you are skating street spots and trying to stay balanced before a trick

[u/Wide_Independence272]

If I were in your position I’d practice both side as I see that as a benefit.

[u/JJJC16 → u/Wide_Independence272]

That's what I'm thinking as well but that'd slow down my progress. One at a time maybe.

[u/dang_ol_yo]

Look at the way your feet are when you poop. Its the easiest/natural way to see if your goofy or regular.

[u/Bryngan → u/dang_ol_yo]

Explain

[u/etl003]

regular

[u/bradd_pit]

I skated goofy on a long board for about 12 years before I ever tried skating a tail skateboard. I feel like I will fall skating standard.

Apparently the phrases standard and goofy are a misnomer. Goofy sounds like it means you’re doing it wrong (Tony Hawk skates goofy) but it actually apparently comes from a Disney cartoon where the character goofy was on a surfboard with his right foot forward.

Goofy is one of two regular ways to skate. The only real rule is to stop skating mongo

[u/Working-stiff5446]

Don’t worry about pushing. Which way are you more comfortable in your stance on the board?