The Boneless is a classic skateboarding move that’s made its way into Skate 4 — part foot-plant and part grab trick. It involves stepping off the board with your front foot, grabbing the deck with your back hand, then jumping back on to launch yourself forward. Sounds easy in theory, but trust me, the timing is everything.
So, dive in with me below as I walk you through pulling off a Boneless, why, and how to master it with the help of a few practice drills.
Controls
Here are the exact control inputs for the “Boneless” trick:
- PlayStation: L2 + X
- Xbox: LT + A
Note: If you use Streamlined or a custom setup, double-check Skatepedia. The input always starts with the plant trigger (L2/LT), but the exact mapping can differ based on layout.
Step-By-Step Guide
Here’s the step-by-step guide:
- Start gaining momentum with a few pushes, but stay in control.
- Next, hold the plant or grab button (PS: L2 / Xbox: LT). This sets you up for the foot-plant.
- While holding L2/LT, press the button (X for PlayStation / A on Xbox). This steps you off the board with your front foot and grabs the board with your backhand.
- You’ll be off the board for just a split second. Jump right back onto the board and you’ll launch higher than a normal ollie. It’s quick, but looks awesome when you nail it.
- Land clean by releasing the controls before touchdown and rolling away like nothing happened. That’s it
Practice Drills For Mastering It
Looking to master the trick and put real time into it? Follow these drills:
Drill 1 – Stationary foot-plant: Find a flat spot and start with a few pushes. Hold your plant foot/grab button and hit jump. Focus on getting the rhythm right, planting your foot, and getting back on the board until the sequence feels easy.
Drill 2 – Bank approach: Look for a mellow ramp or bank and roll in at a relaxed speed. Plant your foot just as you hit the slope, then grab + jump -> land. The angle gives you a little boost without throwing you off-balance.
Drill 3 – String it together: Once you’re landing Boneless cleanly, try this. Right after landing a Boneless, pop an ollie, go for a grind, or throw in a flip. Chaining tricks right after a Boneless locks the sequence in your muscle memory.
Drill 4 – Raise the stakes: Go for a steeper ramp or try clearing a bigger gap. Perform the Boneless, tweak the board mid-air for extra style points, and stick the landing. This helps you control your airtime and add variation to your tricks.
