The kickflip is a type of important methods you’ll want to grasp to be thought of a ‘actual skater.’ You’ll always remember the primary time you land one. It’s extremely satisfying. I keep in mind after I first began skating, individuals in my neighborhood would shout, ‘Yo, do a kickflip!’ It was annoying, particularly since I couldn’t do one but. 😭 I felt fairly discouraged about it, you realize?”
On this submit, I’ll break down the kickflip step-by-step, sharing all of the suggestions I’ve picked up alongside my many yeats of skateboarding. We’ll cowl every little thing from the fundamentals to troubleshooting frequent points.
In case you’re a visible learner, here’s a video titled “How To Kickflip In 5 Minutes” that will help you rapidly grasp the trick.
A video titled “How To Kickflip In 5 Minutes” from the CCS YouTube channel.
Key takeaways
- Grasp the ollie earlier than making an attempt kickflips – it’s the inspiration for this trick
- Foot placement is essential: entrance foot behind bolts, again foot on tail
- Flick up and out, not down, for a profitable kickflip
- Apply whereas shifting – it’s typically simpler than stationary kickflips
Tips on how to Kickflip: A Step-by-Step Information
In case you’re a complete newbie, you are able to do them stationary. However actually, I discover them simpler to do whereas shifting, even after I was a newbie. I used to be by no means a type of who held onto the rail and tried to kickflip, so I like to recommend doing all of those whereas shifting.
1. Grasp the Basis: Correct Foot Placement
Let’s begin with essentially the most essential a part of the kickflip: foot placement. Get this fallacious, and also you’re setting your self up for failure. Belief me, I realized that the arduous method.
- Place your entrance foot simply behind the entrance bolts, angled barely in the direction of the nostril at about 45 levels.
- Place the ball of your again foot on the tail, able to pop.
- Discover that candy spot the place you may pop the board and flick it in a single clean movement.
I spent weeks attempting to kickflip with my ft in all of the fallacious locations. As soon as I received the position proper, every little thing began clicking. It’s like a light-weight bulb went off in my head.
2. Nail that Ollie
Now, let’s speak in regards to the ollie. It’s the basis of the kickflip, so you’ll want to have it down pat.
- Begin with a fundamental ollie movement.
- Pop the tail together with your again foot.
- Slide your entrance foot up the board.
- As an alternative of simply leveling out, put together to flick off the aspect of the nostril.
After I first began, I used to be so targeted on the flip that I forgot about getting peak. This was a giant mistake. You want that air time to finish the rotation.
Intention excessive
Intention for at the very least the identical peak as your common ollies when making an attempt kickflips.
3. Don’t overlook to flick!
Right here’s the place the magic occurs. That is what provides the board its spin.
- As you slide your entrance foot up, flick it off the aspect of the nostril.
- The secret is to flick up and out, not down.
- Use the aspect of your foot, proper round your pinky toe.
- Keep in mind, it’s a flick, not a kick.
I used to kick down, and all I received was a board that shot out in entrance of me. Not cool, and undoubtedly not a kickflip.
4. Grasp the Catch and Land
As soon as the board is spinning, you’ll want to catch it and land (simpler mentioned than finished, I do know). Many individuals, together with myself, battle with this.
- Maintain your eyes on the board. Watch it spin and time your touchdown.
- Your again foot ought to catch the board first, adopted rapidly by your entrance foot.
- Keep over your board to take care of steadiness.
Yet another notice: Whereas novices ought to give attention to the board, as you advance, begin wanting on the horizon. You don’t need to continuously take a look at the board, particularly when shifting. It’s worthwhile to see what you’re doing and the place you’re going. As you change into extra superior, you may cease wanting on the board and give attention to what feels proper.
Dos and don’ts of studying kickflips
Observe these pointers to make your kickflip studying journey smoother and more practical.
Dos
- Perceive the fundamentals of skateboarding first
- Apply kickflips whereas shifting
- Maintain your shoulders parallel to the board
- Watch the board because it spins to time your touchdown
Don’ts
- Rush into complicated methods earlier than you’re prepared
- Focus solely on stationary kickflips
- Overdo it and threat harm
- Have a look at the bottom as a substitute of the board
- Get discouraged if you happen to don’t land it instantly
By breaking down the kickflip into these 4 fundamental steps, you’ll have a transparent roadmap to observe. Keep in mind, apply is essential. Don’t get discouraged if you happen to don’t nail it instantly – hold at it, and shortly you’ll be touchdown kickflips like a professional!
Troubleshooting frequent points
Let’s speak about some frequent issues you would possibly run into. Belief me, I’ve handled all of those sooner or later.
- Board not flipping totally: You’re most likely not flicking arduous sufficient. Actually emphasize that flick off the nostril, and flick arduous. Attempt training off the board.
- Board flying out in entrance of you: You’re kicking out as a substitute of flicking down. Deal with the ollie extra.
- Touchdown with just one foot: You’re not retaining your shoulders parallel with the board. Maintain them straight, and also you’ll keep over your board. Oh, so that you’re not committing to the kickflip. You’re scared! You’re scared that you simply’re going to land on the skateboard and roll off and fall. It’s worthwhile to kick that concern away—no pun meant. Put all of your effort into touchdown on high of the board regardless of the concern. Additionally, leap actually excessive subsequent time.
- Primo landings: In case you’re touchdown primo, then you definately’re not flipping the board all the way in which or you could be doing it an excessive amount of. These are the arduous to diagnose as a result of it’s both one or the opposite. Primos are, i do know. You’re doubtless opening your shoulders an excessive amount of. Maintain them in keeping with the board.
You’re scared! You’re scared that you simply’re gonna land on the skateboard and also you’re gonna roll off and fall. It’s worthwhile to kick that concern away. No pun meant. Put all of your effort into touchdown on high of the board regardless of the concern., Additionally leap actually excessive subsequent time.
What’s your greatest battle with kickflips? Let me know within the feedback under, and I’ll attempt that will help you out!
Apply makes good
Right here’s the reality: kickflips take time. Don’t get discouraged if you happen to don’t land them instantly—I actually didn’t. I spent hours daily for weeks engaged on my kickflips. It was irritating at occasions, however man, that first clear touchdown made all of it value it. 🙌
Like I mentioned, you are able to do them stationary. However actually, I discover them simpler to do whereas shifting.
Apply whereas shifting
Whereas it might sound counterintuitive, studying to kickflip whereas shifting is usually simpler than stationary. The ahead momentum helps with the board’s rotation and steadiness.
Once you get the movement, it actually does by no means go away. You all the time kinda hold that very same poppin’ feeling. You kind of simply know the best way to do it. Now, getting a extremely excessive kickflip? That’s a unique story altogether. You possibly can be taught to kickflip simply positive, however nailing a candy, tremendous excessive one which sticks? That takes apply.
How lengthy does it take to be taught a kickflip?
Now, right here’s the million-dollar query: how lengthy does it take to be taught a kickflip? The trustworthy reply? It varies. For some skaters, it’d click on in a couple of weeks. For others, it might take months and even years.
touchdown one kickflip doesn’t imply you’ve “received” it within the bag. Maintain flipping untill you are able to do, like, 10 in a row. Thn you prety a lot received it.
From my expertise, if you happen to’ve received your ollies down and also you’re training recurrently, you would land your first kickflip inside a couple of months. However keep in mind, touchdown one kickflip doesn’t imply you’ve “received” it within the bag. Getting them constant? That’s a complete different story.
Right here’s a tough breakdown:
- Newbie’s Stage (Snug on board, can ollie): 3 weeks to three months
- Intermediate Stage (Combating fundamentals): 3 months to 2 years
However don’t get hung up on these timeframes. Everybody progresses at their very own tempo. The secret is constant apply.
| Skater Stage | Estimated Time to Land First Kickflip |
|---|---|
| Newbie | 2-4 months |
| Intermediate | 1-3 months |
| Superior | 2 weeks – 1 month |
| Returning Skater | 1-2 months |
| Pure Expertise | 2-4 weeks |
Incessantly Requested Questions (FAQ)
There isn’t a one certain what’s greatest for kickflips. Actually any skates you’ll do. However, flat-soled sneakers like Vans or Converse are nice for kickflips. They provide higher board really feel and grip.
Skate trainers may be useful for constructing confidence, however don’t depend on them an excessive amount of. It’s vital to be taught the trick whereas shifting.
Completely! Apply ollies, work in your steadiness, and do leg-strengthening workouts like squats and calf raises.
It relies on the skater. Some discover heelflips simpler as a result of they use the heel slightly than the toes, however it may fluctuate primarily based on private choice and approach. Perosnlly, I discover heel flips extra secure.
It varies extensively—some skaters be taught it in a couple of weeks, whereas others would possibly take months. Constant apply and endurance are key. It took me about six months to do them.
Last ideas
Studying to kickflip is a journey, however it’s some of the rewarding methods you may grasp. It’s the gateway to a complete world of flip methods, and it seems to be rattling cool too.
Keep in mind, everybody learns at their very own tempo. Don’t examine your self to others; simply focus by yourself progress. Earlier than you realize it, you’ll be popping kickflips prefer it’s second nature.
Now get on the market and begin training! And hey, while you land your first clear kickflip, come again and let me know. 🎉
What are a few of your personal experiences studying to kickflip? Did I cowl every little thing you wished to know? Let me know within the feedback part under, I learn and reply to each remark. In case you discovered this text useful, share it with a good friend, and take a look at my full weblog for extra suggestions and methods on all issues skateboarding.