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Skateboarding Maths

Maths in skateboarding: practice repetitions

Count sets of practice moves as equal groups.

Quick answer

Maths in skateboarding: practice repetitions means counting how many times you do the same move, like doing 3 sets of 5 kickflips. You can use equal groups to work out how many moves you’ve done in total.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to count practice repetitions in skateboarding using equal groups, and you will know how to add them up to find the total number of moves. Success signs:
  • You can say how many times you did a move in each set.
  • You can count how many sets you did.
  • You can use repeated addition or multiplication to find the total moves.
  • You can explain how this helps in skateboarding practice.

Why this matters

When you're learning to skateboard, you often repeat the same trick over and over. Knowing how to count these repetitions helps you track your progress. It's also useful for planning how long your practice session will take, and how many moves you’ve done. Understanding equal groups helps you see patterns and build up your skills step by step.

How it works

To understand practice repetitions in skateboarding, think of each trick as one group, and how many times you do that trick as the number of items in each group. For example:
  1. Each time you do a kickflip, that’s one move.
  2. If you do 3 kickflips in a row, that’s 3 moves.
  3. If you do 3 sets of 3 kickflips, that’s 3 groups of 3 moves.
  4. To find the total, you can add them up or multiply: 3 + 3 + 3 = 9 or 3 × 3 = 9.

Examples you can see

Let’s imagine you’re learning to do a kickflip. Here’s how you can count your practice repetitions:
  • Set 1: You do 4 kickflips.
  • Set 2: You do 4 kickflips.
  • Set 3: You do 4 kickflips.
Now you have 3 sets of 4 kickflips. You can add them up: 4 + 4 + 4 = 12. Or you can multiply: 3 × 4 = 12. So you did 12 kickflips in total. Here’s another example:
  • Set 1: 5 ollies
  • Set 2: 5 ollies
  • Set 3: 5 ollies
That’s 3 groups of 5. Total: 3 × 5 = 15 ollies. You can also draw arrays to help:
Set Move Number
1 Kickflip 4
2 Kickflip 4
3 Kickflip 4

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: Skateboard Practice Challenge You’re on a skateboard adventure and need to do a series of tricks to get to the top of the skatepark. Each trick you do counts as one move. Here’s your mission:
  • First trick: 3 kickflips
  • Second trick: 3 kickflips
  • Third trick: 3 kickflips
Now, you have 3 sets of 3 kickflips. How many kickflips did you do in total? Answer: 3 + 3 + 3 = 9 or 3 × 3 = 9. You can also try this with different tricks:
  • Set 1: 2 manuals
  • Set 2: 2 manuals
  • Set 3: 2 manuals
How many manuals did you do in total? Answer: 2 + 2 + 2 = 6 or 3 × 2 = 6.

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Counting each move individually instead of grouping them.
    Why it happens: It's easy to get confused if you don’t see the pattern.
    Fix: Group the moves and count how many sets you did, then multiply.
  • Mistake: Thinking that 4 sets of 3 moves is 4 + 3 = 7.
    Why it happens: Mixing up addition and multiplication.
    Fix: Remember that sets of moves are groups, so multiply: 4 × 3 = 12.
  • Mistake: Not keeping track of how many sets you’ve done.
    Why it happens: You might be focused on the trick itself.
    Fix: Use your fingers or draw a quick tally to track each set.

Parent and carer guide

Parents and carers can help by:
  • Encouraging your child to count their practice moves out loud, so they can hear their own progress.
  • Using a simple drawing or chart to show sets of moves.
  • Playing a game where you both count the same tricks, making it fun.
  • Helping your child write out the repeated addition or multiplication sentence to reinforce the concept.
  • Noticing when your child gets confused and gently guiding them back to grouping.
It’s okay if they make mistakes – that’s how they learn! The key is to keep the practice fun and encouraging.

Practice questions

  1. How many kickflips did you do if you did 4 sets of 3 kickflips?
  2. If you did 5 sets of 2 manuals, how many manuals is that?
  3. How many ollies are there in 3 sets of 6 ollies?
  4. If you did 2 sets of 5 kickflips, how many kickflips is that?
  5. How many manuals did you do if you did 6 sets of 2 manuals?
Answers:
  1. 4 × 3 = 12
  2. 5 × 2 = 10
  3. 3 × 6 = 18
  4. 2 × 5 = 10
  5. 6 × 2 = 12

FAQ

How can I practice counting repetitions at home?

You can practice by doing simple moves like jumping or clapping, then counting how many times you do each move and how many sets you do. This helps build the same skills you use in skateboarding.

Why is it helpful to count repetitions in skateboarding?

Counting repetitions helps you track your progress, know how much you’ve practiced, and plan your next session. It also helps you see if you’re improving.

Can I use multiplication instead of addition for repetitions?

Yes! If you have 3 sets of 4 moves, you can add 4 + 4 + 4 = 12 or multiply 3 × 4 = 12. Multiplication is faster when you have more sets.

What if I don’t remember my multiplication tables?

You can still use repeated addition to find the answer. For example, if you don’t know 6 × 3, you can add 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 18. This helps you learn the tables over time.

How can I make counting practice repetitions more fun?

You can turn it into a game, use a chart to track your progress, or count with a friend. You can also pretend you’re a skateboarder and do tricks while counting!