Introduction

Relevance of the Theme

Skateboarding is undoubtedly one of the most popular sports among young people worldwide. By introducing students to this universe, we open doors to understanding issues about the relationship with the body, movement, limits, and artistic expression through sport. This sport transcends the formal lines of the field, court, or track, being a unique combination of sport and urban art. Moreover, it teaches important lessons about persistence, balance, motor coordination, self-confidence, and even resilience.

Contextualization

Included in the Physical Education curriculum of the 6th grade of Elementary School, the study of Skateboarding fits perfectly as a theme of urban and alternative sports. Alongside traditional sports such as soccer and basketball, skateboarding brings a different and challenging perspective to sport. This theme aligns with other topics already studied, such as the importance of stretching, warming up, safety techniques, and the diversity of existing sports. For students, skateboarding can represent a new way of looking at sport and physical activity, introducing them to a global subculture that values creativity, individuality, and community spirit.

Theoretical Development

Components

• Deck and Trucks: The skateboard is composed of several parts, each with its function. The deck, usually made of wood, is the platform where the skateboarder stands. The trucks are the metal structures that fit into the deck and to which the wheels are attached. They are vital for the stability and control of the skateboard.

• Wheels and Bearings: The wheels, made of polyurethane and bearings, are each attached to the truck. The wheels allow movement and the bearings make them spin. The hardness and diameter of the wheels influence the speed and control of the skateboard, while the precision of the bearings determines how smoothly the wheels spin.

• Friction and Friction: Fundamental concepts in the physics of skateboarding. The friction between the wheels and the ground, along with the friction of the bearings, are determining factors in the speed, stability, and performance of the skateboard. The skateboarder, through specific techniques and movements, manipulates these physical phenomena to perform maneuvers.

• Posture and Balance: The skateboarder's posture on the skateboard is crucial for balance and control of movement. The legs and body work together to maintain stability, allowing the skateboarder to perform maneuvers safely and efficiently.

Key Terms

• Ollie: One of the first maneuvers any skateboarder learns, the Ollie involves hitting the tail (rear part of the skateboard) to make the front part of the skateboard (nose) rise in the air. This maneuver is the basis for most other skateboarding maneuvers.

• Grind: A maneuver that involves sliding the skateboard's axles - called trucks - on a surface, such as an edge, a handrail, or a curb. This movement is accompanied by a characteristic sound, hence the name "grind".

• Flip tricks: Maneuvers that involve the skateboarder making the skateboard spin or "flip". Some examples include the kickflip, heelflip, and varial flip.

Examples and Cases

• Ollie - To perform an Ollie, the skateboarder first needs to adopt the correct posture, with feet aligned to the skateboard's axis and knees slightly bent. Then, the skateboarder steps with the tip of the rear foot on the rear part of the skateboard to create the necessary force, while sliding the front foot up, making the skateboard leave the ground. Successfully landing the maneuver requires the correct use of friction and friction.

• Grind - This maneuver requires the skateboarder to position themselves at an appropriate angle on the edge or handrail, and apply pressure on the trucks to create the necessary slide. The performance of the maneuver is influenced by the hardness of the wheels and the precision of the bearings, as they directly affect the friction and speed.

• Flip Tricks - Performing a kickflip, for example, requires the skill of kicking the skateboard in the air, making it spin horizontally, and then landing back with the feet in the original position. This movement complexly combines the component of pop (the force to make the skateboard leave the ground) and the manipulation of friction and friction to control the skateboard's spin.

Notice that each maneuver requires an understanding and efficient application of the physical principles discussed, highlighting the importance of these concepts in skateboarding.

Detailed Summary

Relevant Points

• Composition of the Skateboard: The skateboard is made up of several pieces, with emphasis on the wooden deck, metal trucks, polyurethane wheels, and bearings. Each component has a specific role in the performance and functionality of the skateboard.

• Physics of Skateboarding: The practice of skateboarding involves physics concepts such as friction and friction, and the skateboarder needs to understand and manipulate these concepts to successfully perform maneuvers.

• Posture and Balance: Posture and balance are fundamental to the practice of skateboarding. The correct distribution of weight and body flexibility influence the performance of maneuvers and the safety of the skateboarder.

• Main Maneuvers: The Ollie, the Grind, and the Flip Tricks are some of the main maneuvers performed in skateboarding. Each of them requires specific skills from the skateboarder and demands the combination of various concepts and techniques of the sport.

Conclusions

• Skateboarding as Art and Sport: Skateboarding transcends the traditional idea of sport, also being considered a form of art. Through movements and maneuvers, skateboarders express their creativity and skill.

• Importance of Persistence: Skateboarding teaches valuable lessons such as persistence and overcoming. Mastering maneuvers is not an easy task, requiring a lot of practice, repetition, and willpower.

• Skateboarding as a Community: Skateboarding forms a global community, where skateboarders from different countries and cultures come together around the love for the sport. This sense of community and camaraderie is a striking feature of this subculture.

Exercises

1. Describe the main components of the skateboard and the function of each of them.
2. Explain what friction and friction are in the context of skateboarding and how these concepts are applied to perform maneuvers.
3. Perform a step-by-step of some skateboarding maneuver, explaining the physical principles involved in its performance.