Most beginners overlook the importance of learning how to stop the skateboard. The common notion is: if you know how to get going, you are good to go. Braking? Leave that to the friction of the wheels as they will likely stop (Thanks to inertia!). This belief will likely bring you laying on your back either on the pavement or in a hospital bed. Bottom line: learning how to brake is as important as learning how to push forward.
There are different ways to stop your skateboard: heel drag, foot braking, power slide, and bail.
Heel Drag.
While this may not be the first thing you will learn, it is probably one of the better ways to stop your skateboard. To heel drag, place your back foot at the back of your skateboard (let your heel stick out off the kicktail). Lean back so that the tail of the board and your heel are pressed against the ground, the nose of the board will come up into the air. Take note that scraping your kicktail against the ground will make it thinner and may require you to replace it after some time. If you want to protect the kicktail, install a plastic or rubber guard underneath it.
Foot Braking.
This can make you look like a beginner but so what? Foot braking is the easiest way to stop your skateboard and you must learn how to do it before you need it. To foot brake, turn the toes of your front foot so that it will point towards the nose of the board. Then, transfer your weight to your front foot while lowering your back foot (the other foot) to the ground. Keep your back straight when doing this. Do not bend forward or backward. Then, bend your knees and press your back foot against the ground with the sole of your shoe until you stop.
Power Slide.
This is more advanced but the coolest way to stop. Basically, you will need to place your front foot close to the front bolts and your back foot to the back bolts. Push your back foot forward or backward and slide the rear wheels on the ground.
Bail.
If everything else fails, you have one arsenal left, bail. Slightly bend your knees and jump off your board. If you are jumping forward, the board should stop. This should not be hard but remember to take caution. Treating a broken arm and a broken leg is more expensive than a buying a new board.
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