Goofy vs regular: how to find your skate stance (foolproof test)

Before your first push or your first ollie attempt, there’s one basic thing you need to know: whether you’re goofy (right foot forward) or regular (left foot forward). It’s not really a choice, and nobody knows for certain why some people feel more comfortable with one foot forward over the other before they’ve ever skated. Same goes for surfing and snowboarding.

Here are the most reliable tests to figure it out in 30 seconds.

What goofy and regular actually mean

• Regular: left foot at the front of the skateboard deck, right foot on the tail. 60-65% of skaters.
• Goofy: right foot at the front, left foot on the tail. 35-40% of skaters.

The term “goofy” comes from the Disney character — he rode with his right foot forward on a board in the 1937 short “Hawaiian Holiday”.

It has nothing to do with being right- or left-handed. We know right-handed people who are goofy and left-handed people who are regular. It’s something separate, almost a physical instinct.

Here’s the original clip that gave it the name:

Test 1: the “push from behind” (the most reliable)

The most widely used test in any skate school:

1. Get someone to stand behind you without warning.
2. They give you a gentle push forward from behind.
3. Your body takes a step to avoid falling.
4. The foot you step forward with is your front foot on the board.

If you step with your left foot → you’re regular. If you step with your right foot → you’re goofy.

Why it works: your body instinctively picks the foot it balances best on when there’s a risk of falling. That same foot is the one you need at the front of the board to stay balanced.

Test 2: the ball kick

Think about which foot you naturally kick a ball with.

• If you kick with your right → your left foot is your support foot (you balance on it) → you’re regular (left foot forward).
• If you kick with your left → your right foot is your support foot → you’re goofy (right foot forward).

Watch out: this test doesn’t always match Test 1. If both agree, you’ve got your answer. If they don’t, trust Test 1 more.

Test 3: the “carpet surf”

If you have a rug that slides a bit:

1. Stand on the rug with both feet.
2. Take a run-up and slide like you’re doing a slide.
3. The foot you automatically move forward to stop/balance is your front foot on a skateboard.

Variation: do it in socks on hardwood or laminate flooring.

Test 4: first time on a board

If you’ve got a skateboard to hand:

1. Put it on flat ground with grip (carpet, grass).
2. Step on without overthinking it.
3. The foot you step on with first is usually your back foot (the one that goes on the tail).

For example: if you step on left foot first, that left foot goes on the tail → you’re goofy (right foot forward).

This test is less reliable than #1 because you sometimes subconsciously decide which foot to use. That’s why the push test is king.

What to do if the tests don’t agree

If all four tests give you different results, you’re one of those rare “stance-ambidextrous” skaters. Three options:

1. Try the stance Test 1 gave you for 1-2 weeks on a board. See if it feels right. If not, flip it.
2. Start practising BOTH stances from day one (regular and switch). You’ll find it easier to master switch than most skaters do.
3. Ask a skater friend to watch you in the first few sessions — they’ll spot your natural instinct faster than you will.

Real consequences: how your stance affects your skating

Your stance shapes EVERYTHING:

• Foot placement for every trick (ollies, flips…): foot positions are stance-specific.
• Trick names: “frontside” and “backside” refer to the direction YOUR chest faces. For a goofy skater, frontside is one way; for a regular, it’s the other.
• Switch stance: skating in the opposite of your natural stance. It’s the hardest way to skate but also the most impressive. Pros like Mike Carroll and Daewon Song built their reputations on their switch skating.
• Nollie stance: feet on the nose, tail free. Every trick has a “nollie” variation.

Mongo: the word you’ll hear and should avoid

Mongo = pushing the skateboard with your FRONT foot while your back foot stays on the tail. The opposite of correct technique (pushing with your back foot while keeping your front foot on the board).

Why it’s considered bad technique:

1. You lose roughly half a second on every trick because you have to reposition your foot after pushing.
2. It looks off on video — pros clock it immediately.
3. In practice, every trick is set up with your front foot already in position — mongo forces you to adjust every single time.

The exception: Eric Koston (one of the most legendary pros ever) is famous for skating mongo. He’s a one-off at the highest level.

If you’re just starting out: learn to push with your back foot from day one. It’ll feel weird at first, but after two weeks it’ll be second nature.

Where to go next

• How to do your first ollie — with your stance sorted.
• How to choose your first skateboard deck — the right setup.
• How much does a complete skateboard cost — budget it properly.
• The best skate tricks in history — for inspiration.