How to Build Your Own Coyote Chopper

The coyote chop, also known as the scythe or whip cut, is a dynamic and stylish skateboard trick that's been mesmerizing street skaters since the 1990s. It's characterized by the skater pulling the board into their chest and swinging their legs over to the opposite side, all while maintaining balance and momentum.

This trick may seem daunting at first, but with the right technique and practice, almost any intermediate skater can master the coyote chop. Let's break down this trick into simple steps and guide you through the process.

Mastering the Basics

Before attempting the coyote chop, ensure you're comfortable with the fundamentals of skating, including basic tricks like the ollie, and possesses some level of balance and control on your board.

Start by practicing your footwork on the ground. Stand on your board in regular footing (facing the direction of travel), then mimic the chopping motion with your legs, alternating between two positions: one with your dominant foot forward, and one with your back foot forward.

Nailing the Footwork

The coyote chop relies heavily on the right foot placement and momentum. To get the footwork down, stand on a flat surface,+kick your board away slightly, and practice stepping onto the board with your back foot, then quickly switching to your front foot, and vice versa.

To make this smoother, focus on your timing. You should push off just as you're stepping onto the board, creating a sense of momentum that will help you transition between stances.

Adding Height: The Ollie Transition

Once you're comfortable with the footwork on flat ground, it's time to add an ollie into the mix. Start by popping an ollie and switching your feet in mid-air. This takes a bit of practice, so don't rush.

To help with the timing, try pushing off with your back foot, then quickly popping the tail with your front foot while simultaneously switching your feet, so your back foot ends up forward and your front foot backward. Remember, practice makes perfect, so keep at it until you can consistently switch feet in the air.

Putting It All Together: The Coyote Chop

With a solid foundation in the fundamentals, you're now ready to attempt the coyote chop. Start by building up speed; around 5 mph should do it for your first tries.

As you skate, begin with an ollie. As you pop the tail, bend your knees and pull the board towards your chest by grabbing it with your back hand. In one smooth motion, swing your legs over the board, alternating your feet as you switch between dominant and non-dominant stances.

Timing and Control

The key to a successful coyote chop lies in your timing. You should start pulling the board towards your chest just as your front foot leaves the ground. This will give you enough time to swing your legs over the board and land in your new stance.

As you land, bend your knees and absorb the impact to maintain control. Once you've mastered the basic chop, try mixing in variations like 180s or 360s, switching between regular, switch, and experienced skaters can even combo it with other tricks.

Practice and Patience

Learning any new trick, especially the coyote chop, takes time and practice. Don't get discouraged if you don't nail it on your first try. Keep at it, and you'll soon be shredding the streets with your impressive new trick.

Always remember to wear safety gear, including a helmet, knee and elbow pads, and wrist guards. Skating is an exhilarating sport, but it carries inherent risks, so it's essential to protect yourself.

So, what's next? Once you've mastered the coyote chop, why not challenge yourself to learn the more advanced variations, like the 360 chop or even the notorious kickflip coyote chop? The skating world is your oyster – get out there and make your mark!