Pushing Mongo On Your Skateboard - Good Or Bad?

There are many skateboard terms you may not be familiar with, and if you're a beginner - 'pushing mongo' is likely not something you've heard of.

This simple phrase actually has a particularly important meaning, so let's look at pushing mongo on your skateboard - and whether it's good or bad.

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What Is Pushing Mongo?

In simplest terms, pushing mongo is when you push with your front foot - instead of the standard pushing with your back foot. It's backwards, essentially, in the easiest parlance.

Pros Of Pushing Mongo

One of the biggest pros of pushing mongo, is it makes learning fakie much easier. You'll find making the switch to fakie a lot easier, than those who skate in a regular stance.

Secondly, skating switch will become easier if you're used to skating mongo. Skating switch is never easy at first, so it's definitely to your advantage if you start by skating mongo.

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Cons Of Pushing Mongo

There are a few different cons to skating mongo style. You'll find yourself adjusting your stance a lot more often, than if you were skating regular or goofy.

Secondly, you won't have nearly as much balance. This can be a crucial difference, when you get very advanced, or start to do harder tricks - as pushing mongo will mean you're more likely to fall.

You'll be less balanced because your weight will largely be on the back of your board, rather than in the middle. It will also take you longer to properly position yourself, meaning mongo is effectively slower and less efficient.

What Is Skateboard Stance?

If you want to successfully ride a skateboard, you'll need to have your weight evenly distributed. This also means crouching with your knees bent, at least slightly.

Regular stance has your left foot at the tip of the board, steering. Your right foot will be on the back of the board, and it will also do the pushing for you.

If you skate goofy - you'll be doing the exact opposite. Your right foot will be at the front of the board, your left will be at the back, and doing the pushing.

Mongo is different - it means you'll use your front foot to push. This does look a little strange, as it differs from the regular and goofy methods of pushing your board.

If It Works For You, Keep Doing It

There is no 'right way' to do anything in this world. However, there is an accepted way of doing most things, and most skaters do not push mongo.

However, since many professional skaters push mongo - if it works for you, keep doing it. No one is 'right' or 'wrong' in the world of skating, so just keep doing what works best for you individually.

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Do Any Pro Skaters Push Mongo?

Yes, many pro skaters push mongo. While it may not be their main choice, skaters like Andrew Reynolds, Jacob Vance, Eric Koston, Chris Cole, Mark Gonzales, Tom Penny, and many others - have all pushed mongo at one point or another.

Where Did The Term Pushing Mongo Come From?

It doesn't appear to be exactly clear where this term came from, but it's generally accepted that it likely started as an insult towards skateboarders. It could be extremely disparaging, referring to a 'mongoloid', or something equally insulting.

Regardless of the origin, what it refers to is pushing off your front foot, while riding. Most skaters push the opposite way, off of their back foot.

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20 [Totally Rad] Skateboard Accessories For Pushing Mongo

1. Safety Skateboard Lights

These lights will help keep you safe, and also help you stand out from the pack. We highly recommend them, and any serious skater will want to be seen at night - or you run the risk of getting seriously injured.

2. Maxpro Skateboard Deck Guards

This awesome thing will protect your deck - which is sorely needed for any skater. And it barely costs more than a cup of coffee, which makes it even better.

3. AHOWPD Skateboard Rack

This affordable rack is great for any serious skater. Instead of leaving your board on the ground, make it look nicer, and use this handy accessory.

4. Theragun Massager

Want to get rid of your sore muscles and have fewer aches and pains? This Theragun massager is a perfect way to do it.

5. GoPro Hero9

A GoPro Camera will help you create totally rad skate videos. Step up from your basic iPhone game, and grab something awesome like this.

6. Jizmo Hardware Combo Starter Set

If you want to fix your skateboard, grab this spare part kit. It will make it a breeze to fix anything on the go - no matter what the issue is.

7. OutdoorMaster Skateboard Helmet

You'll definitely need a helmet if you want to stay safe. This one is very well-reviewed, and it felt super-comfy to us - highly recommended.

8. Zeato All-In-One Skate Tool

Want to fix anything, with just a single skate tool? Grab this thing - it will have even MacGuyver envious.

9. JBM Protective Gear Set

This set of pads will keep you safe, and it's particularly awesome in terms of great reviews. It's also affordable, which makes it a no-brainer, when it comes to making a purchase.

10. Ten Eighty Micro Flybox Launch Ramp Set

This sick ramp lets you skate right in your own backyard. We would have loved this as kids - but now your kids can enjoy it - highly recommended.

11. Yocaher Longboard Skateboard Trucks Combo Set

These great trucks will make any board have a perfect ride. And the last thing you want on any skateboard - is bad trucks (trust us).

12. 99" Long Flat Skate Rail

If you want to grind at home, this skate rail is truly essential. We loved being able to practice safely, and our grind game definitely got a whole lot better, as well.

13. 299 Piece First Aid Kit

You'll definitely be crashing, so it only makes sense to have a great first aid kit. We use this a lot more than we'd like to admit.

14. Igloo Heavy Duty Cooler

Want cold drinks on a hot day? Of course you do, so grab this sick cooler.

15. Dime Bag Triple Slick Skateboard Wax

Want to wax your favorite curb or rail? Use this stuff, it's pretty rad (not to mention cheap).

16. 100 Pack Of Skateboard Stickers

Want a ton of awesome stickers? This is a perfect choice, and they're also very affordable. Our deck would look downright boring, without these bad boys.

17. JBL FLIP 5 Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker

If you want to shred with your friends, this speaker is a necessity. You can take it anywhere, and blast your favorite tunes the entire time.

18. Sony Wireless Premium Noise Canceling Headphones

You can have the best time skating with these headphones. Blast your favorite tunes as you hit a half pipe, grind a rail, or just free skate.

19. Simbow Skateboard Backpack

This awesome backpack will not only hold your board - it's backed by tons of five-star reviews. We love it, and we know you will too.

20. Shoe Goo

If you want your skate shoes to last longer, you'll definitely need shoe goo. This stuff can fix almost anything, and it will definitely help you up your skate game.

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What Is Mall Grabbing?

This is just a simple way of describing how you pick up your board. Mall grabbing could be described as holding a skateboard by the trucks, while the grip tape on the board will be rubbing against your leg.

Really, there isn't much technically wrong with this technique, but it does give off the vibe that you're a beginner. It's called mall grabbing because many skaters who walk around the mall with their boards, hold it this way.

What Is Riding Fakie?

Riding fakie essentially means riding your skateboard backwards. Instead of riding with your left foot forward at the front of the board, you'll have your right foot at the front of the board (assuming you're right-handed, that is).

If you do a trick on a vert ramp, and don't spin at all - when you come back down, you'll be riding fakie. This is not a simple style to master, but it can be useful.

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Above is a video of someone riding fakie, so you can understand the technique. Note that this is probably not something you'd want to attempt, if you're a beginner.

Other Factors To Consider

Mongo pushers may take a lot of flak for mongo pushing - but if you like riding that way, there isn’t anything really wrong with it. If you can still do skateboarding tricks, whether you are riding switch, fakie, or mongo - then you are are not a poser.

Snowboarding also has its fair share of ‘rules’ - but none of them really matter. If you best skateboard by pushing mongo - then so be it.

Bill Danforth is probably the most famous mongo pusher, but Stevie Williams is another pro skateboarder who skates the ‘wrong way’. If you can still do flip tricks, nollies, and kickflips - we don’t see anything really wrong with pushing mongo.

[After this article, check out some of the best skateboarding accessories.]

The Bottom Line - Pushing Mongo On A Skateboard

There you have it - all the 411 on pushing mongo on a skateboard. Ultimately, you can push mongo, or you can revert to a regular stance - there are arguments for both sides.

Some great professional riders actually push mongo, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's right for you. Do whatever feels natural for you, and try both ways, until you find what works best.