How to Do a Kickflip on a Skateboard

The basic kickflip--turning over the board while doing an ollie--is an essential skill for any self-respecting rider. If you can't learn how to do this, you should start looking into another hobby because your street cred among skaters will be horrid. That's not to say it's easy to learn, but you still need to know how to pull it off.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Skateboard Pads
• Skateboard Wheels
• Skateboards
• Skateboard Trucks
• Skateboarding Shoes
• Skate Rails
• Skateboard Parts
• Skateboard Helmets
• Skateboard Decks

1. Set your feet up like you would for an ollie.

2. Place the ball of your front foot toward the middle of the board and slightly below the front bolts.

3. Hit your tail as you would for an ollie, but instead of dragging your front foot up the board, drag it toward the side of the board with a flicking motion. The faster the flick, the faster the flip. It's all in the ankle.

4. Stay over the board as you are jumping and the board is flipping (it's important not to push down on the board once you're up so that it can continue to rise).

5. Let the board hit your back foot once it has flipped completely. This is called catching the flip. Your front foot should not be far behind in getting back on the board, but the back foot usually catches it first. This allows you to control the trick on the way down.

6. Land with your feet as close to the bolts as possible.

7. Do another one.

Tips & Warnings

• The harder you flick, the faster the flip will be, and the higher the trick will go.
• Skateboarding is an inherently dangerous activity that can result in serious injury or death. We recommend that you seek proper training and equipment before attempting this activity.

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[mrfrazza]

on 11/1/2009 Skateordie576 first. How long have you been doing Ollies and Kickflips for? Practice and time bud. When i started kickflips about 3 weeks ago i found at first i kept doing Ollies to the side. Then i got the board spinning fast but low, by putting the balls of ur feet just off the edge of the middle of the Deck. This is only to practice flipping the board. Then i moved my feet further onto the board and got higher but more slow spin. When you practice this try and slide your foot diagnonaly a split second after popping, not at the same time. I found i landed them better. I havent mastered Kickflips yet. But i can land them one footed always and sometimes both feet :D. Happy skating dude

[zayya5555]

on 9/25/2009 I FLIP IT JUST FLIES FORWARDS I GETTING REALLY FRUSTRATED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jakerandolph112]

on 9/24/2009 Quinster10 the reasoon your board does that is because you shoulders are really never lined up with your board its is easier that you try to not align your shoulders with your board

[jakerandolph112]

on 9/24/2009 skateordie576 try putting your foot more back twards your foot that you pop the board with... you might get of balance but the baord shouldnt fly away from you and you will get mor rotation in your kickflip

[emoskater]

on 6/22/2009 make a video