I long boarded when I was in middle school and it was all the hype, I wish I was still into it, but sitting in a air conditioned car to get from point A to point B is so much nicer, anyways, I would use sliding gloves it was very useful, later on I just used my bare hands mainly because I felt like a bad ass and thats pretty much the only reason, I used to be able to do 180s too, I couldn't give you any tips for I have lost all my wisdom. But I would recommend slide gloves actually I could sell you mine, they are not in the best condition but it would be somewhere to start.