Buyer Guide
Start your balance off with a Half Ball. If the ball is too extreme for you due to an injury, learning new moves, or you just want to practice some skills on a more stable board, then check these out. Common things to consider are below.
Half Ball Recommendations:
3" Half Ball Mini:
- Kick Start board and for small toddlers
- Skate Creator Kit
5" Half Ball Small:
- Beginner level for all Starter boards
- Starter Creator Kit
- Not recommended for any Original boards
- Beginner level for Ultimate Fitness board
6.5" Half Ball Medium:
- Advanced level for all Starter boards
- Advanced level for Turbo and Powder Original boards
- Beginner level for Freestyle and Surf Original boards
- Not recommended for Commando
- Advanced level for Ultimate Fitness board
8.5" Half Ball Large:
- Not recommended for Turbo Starter and Turbo Original
- Very advanced for Freestyle and Surf Starter boards
- Advanced level for Freestyle and Surf Original boards
- Recommended for the Commando
- Very advanced for Ultimate Fitness
Half Ball Height And Size:
- Larger half balls have greater range of motion compared to smaller half balls
- Greater range of motion of the ankle is needed for larger half balls
- Smaller half balls keep you closer to the ground and are recommended for beginners
Board Size And Half Ball Ratio:
- A larger board with a smaller half ball will have less tilt and challenge
- A large board and larger half ball has greater tilt, requires more range of motion and is more challenging
- A small board with a large half ball will have an extreme tilt and is considered advanced or very advanced
Rail Height And Tilt:
- A taller rail decreases the amount of tilt available before the board contacts the ground
- Original boards will need a larger half ball due to the taller rail
- Starter boards can use smaller half balls to get advanced tilt
Skill Progression: - Rocker board:
- Beginning skills to limit movement while learning balance or new exercise
- Created with 2 half balls
- Board tilts in two directions only of side to side or forward and backward
- Wobble board:
- Intermediate and advanced exercises while progressing in skill
- Created with 1 half ball
- Board tilts in all directions forward, backward, side to side and twisting
- Half ball size:
- Beginners should start with a smaller half ball and progress to a larger half ball
Half Ball Placement: - Center of the board:
- Allows an equal weight distribution
- Easiest stance for beginners
- End of the board:
- Focuses balance training under one foot/hand
- Progression from center placement
- Diagonal at each end of the board:
- Combines forward/backward and side to side tilting
- Allows one plane of movement in a diagonal combination
