Once you are confident with your basic moves and ready to take your skills to the next level, Kickflip is the one you should try. This trick may seem daunting initially, but once you’ve nailed it, you’ll turn heads at the skatepark and impress all your friends.
Before moving onwards, it’s essential to understand what a kickflip is. It’s an ollie and a kick, where the skateboard spins 360 degrees. The trick requires you to flick the board with your front foot while jumping and sliding your back foot. The key to a successful kickflip is a smooth, coordinated movement that allows the board to flip and spin.
We know you’re not here to waste your time, so let’s dive right in. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll explain the technique you need to execute a perfect kickflip. We’ll also share some pro tips to help you avoid common mistakes and accelerate your learning process.
Things to Consider before Learning Kickflip
Get ready to add a new trick to your arsenal: the kickflip. As we mentioned earlier, it takes time to adapt initially. You must consider the following before trying it.
Proper Foot Placement
Foot placement is critical in executing a successful kickflip. Start by placing your front foot near the middle of the board, with your toes hanging over the edge slightly. Your back foot should be near the board’s tail, with your toes hanging over the edge. It’s crucial to keep your feet comfortable and stable to maintain control of the board.
Getting Comfortable with Ollies
Before attempting a kickflip, it’s essential to have a solid understanding of how to ollie. This trick is the foundation of all skateboarding, and mastering it will make learning the kickflip much easier. First, practice your ollies by jumping and sliding your back foot up the board while popping the tail down. Once you feel comfortable with your ollies, you can move on to the kickflip.
Getting the Right Equipment
You must ensure you have the right skateboard equipment to learn kickflip. Start by checking that your board is in good condition, with all parts functioning correctly. Additionally, ensure that your trucks are tight enough to provide stability but loose enough for maneuverability. You’ll also need to wear proper skateboarding shoes with good grip and support.
As with any skateboarding trick, taking safety precautions is essential when learning how to kickflip. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Always wear a helmet and knee and elbow pads to protect yourself from injury.
- Practice your kickflips in a safe, open area without obstacles.
- Begin by practicing small, low kickflips and work your way up to higher ones.
- Skateboarding can be physically demanding, so rest as needed.
How to Kickflip: Step-by-Step Guide
If you’re an aspiring skateboarder, there’s no doubt that you’ve seen someone perform a kickflip and thought to yourself, “Wow, I want to do that!” The kickflip is a fundamental trick in skateboarding that looks impressive and feels great when you land it.
Whether you’re looking to show off to your friends or compete in a local skateboarding competition, mastering the kickflip is essential to any skateboarder’s skill set. That’s why we’ve put together a step-by-step guide to help you execute the perfect kickflip.
Step 1: Proper Foot Placement
To start, make sure your feet are correctly placed on the board. Your front foot should be angled slightly towards the board’s nose, and your back foot should be positioned in the middle of the tail. Find a comfortable stance and get a feel for your board before attempting the trick.
Step 2: Ollie Motion
Next, begin the ollie motion by jumping and sliding your back foot up the board while popping the tail down. This will cause the board to rise into the air.
Step 3: Flicking Motion
As the board begins to lift off the ground, it’s time to initiate the flip. Use your front foot to flick the board’s edge downward, causing it to rotate.
Step 4: Bringing Feet Together
Bring your feet together in the air as the board flips, aiming to catch the board with the middle of your feet. This will help you maintain balance and catch the board more easily.
Step 5: Landing
Once you’ve caught the board with your feet, land back on the board and ride away.
Congratulations, you’ve just executed a kickflip!
Common Mistakes to Avoid
While learning how to kickflip, it’s common to make mistakes. Here are some of the most common ones to avoid:
- Inconsistent flicks that cause the board to spin unevenly
- Not jumping high enough, causing the board to hit your feet
- Not sliding your back foot properly, causing the board to fly away
- Not keeping your eyes on the board causes balance issues
Tips for Mastering the Kickflip
Here are some helpful tips to make learning how to kickflip easier:
- Practice makes perfect: As with any new skill, practice is critical. So spend time practicing the motion of the kickflip, and keep going if you get it right away.
- Focus on the flick: The flick of your front foot is the most critical part of the kickflip. Practice flicking the board until it spins consistently.
- Commit to the jump: One of the most common mistakes beginners make is not committing fully to the jump. Make sure you jump high enough and bring your feet together to catch the board.
- Keep your eyes on the board: It’s essential to keep your eyes on the board as it flips and spins. This will help you maintain balance and catch the board more easily.
It’s important to note that mastering the kickflip takes time, patience, and practice. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t land it right away, keep trying, and stay positive. The more you practice, the better you’ll get. Remember, skateboarders have to fall before they can fly!
Here we are attaching a video to help you understand the process visually, and the video also suggests how much practice it requires to get this trick:
Final Words
With practice, dedication, and hard work, you can master this vital technique. Remember that mastering the Kickflip is about more than just performing a trick; it’s about preparing for all other tricks in skating. Continue to practice and push yourself to enhance your talents.
We believe you’ve found our step-by-step approach to becoming a better skateboarder useful. We’d love to hear your thoughts on how you found the guide and what we could do better. Leave your feedback in the comments box below! Share this article on social media to assist others in mastering the Ollie and improving their skateboarding skills.
