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(LOS ANGELES) – Each sport has its own vernacular, a special lingo that’s second nature to its participants and fans but almost completely foreign to the uninitiated. Skatepark-oriented sports are no exception. Here’s a quick glossary of some of the terms frequently used in conjunction with skatepark competition.
180, 360, 540,
720, 900, etc: A reference to the number of degrees of rotation completed during an aerial trick.
A rider/skater who performs a “360” has completely rotated once, while one who
performs a “720” completes two full rotations.
ABUBACA: When a BMX rider rides straight up the ramp, pauses with the rear tire on the
coping and front tire in the air, and then rolls back down the ramp fakie.
ACID DROP: To ride/skate straight off of something and freefall to the ground.
AIR: Whenever all wheels are off the ground at the same time.
ALLEY-OOP: When a trick is performed opposite to the direction in which the skater/rider is
moving.
BACKSIDE: When a turn or trick is executed with the skater/rider’s back facing the arc of the
turn or trick.
BACKSLIDE: An inline skating grind using only the back foot. Usually the free foot is grabbed.
BANK: An area sloped at an angle less than 90 degrees.
BARSPIN: A trick performed on a bicycle, which involves the rider releasing the handlebars
and spinning them at least 180 degrees before grabbing them again.
BIO GRAB: To grab the outside of the skate with the hand of the same side and air with head
and feet almost parallel to the ground.
BLUNT: In a skateboarding trick, this is when the tail of the board behind the back trucks
is in contact with the obstacle.
BMX: Acronym for “bicycle moto-cross,” first coined in the 1970s when bikes with 20”
wheels were first raced on motocross-style dirt tracks. The term now refers to a
particular type of 20” bike, regardless of how it is used.
BRAINLESS: An inline skating backflip with a 180-turn on a ramp.
CABALLERIAL: While riding fakie (backwards) on a skateboard, usually at the lip of a
ramp, to complete a 360-degree spin in the air and head back down the ramp forward. Named after skateboarder Steve Caballero.
CAMEL TOE: A toe-tap with both skates upon re-entry onto a ramp or obstacle.
CAN-CAN: When a BMX rider takes one foot off a pedal and stretches that leg over the
handlebars before returning the foot to the pedal.
CANYON: The sunken or empty space between two ramps. (Also called “gap.”)
CARVE: To make a long, curving arc while skating/riding.
CRASHING: Because crashing is so prevalent, related slang terms are plentiful and ever-
changing. Some common terms related to the act of crashing include, “bif,”
“bonk,” “face plant,” “endo,” and many more.
COPING: The rounded lip at the top of a ramp or obstacle usually made of metal, cement
or PVC pipe.
DROP IN: To enter a ramp or obstacle from the top.
DUROMETER: A measurement of the resiliency, or hardness, of a urethane wheel (i.e. a higher
durometer rating offers more speed and durability, while a lower rating yields
greater grip at the expense of durability).
FAKIE: To ride or land backwards.
FARSIDE: When a trick is performed on the outside or away edge of a ramp or obstacle.
FAST SLIDE: An inline skating grind on only the leading skate.
FISHBRAIN: A topside makio grind.
FRAME: The component of an inline skate that attaches the wheels to the skate itself.
FRAME
STANDS: Any BMX trick performed while standing on the frame of the bike.
FUFANU: Same as an abubaca, except instead of returning to the ramp fakie, the rider <
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