Learn How To Kickflip On A Skateboard

Do you want to learn how to kickflip on your skateboard? This tutorial will show you step by step how to complete this game changing beginner skateboarding trick. After you learn how to master the kickflip, it is guaranteed that advanced tricks will become much easier to learn.

The kickflip is by far the most popular skateboarding trick to learn in the world and also the most well-known trick even among non-skateboarders. More than likely at some point in your life you have heard someone yell out “do a kickflip” to a skateboarder from someone who knows nothing about the sport.

So how did the kickflip become one of the most popular skate tricks of all time? Probably because it is one of the easiest flip tricks to learn on a skateboard. The kickflip, which was introduced to the skateboarding world in the 1970s, is a trick that novice skateboarders can learn how to do well within a few few weeks of practicing. Not only is it easy to learn but it also looks impressive too!

Once you know how to kickflip, there are many other variations of this trick you can learn such as the frontside kickflip, fakie kickflip, varial kickflip, and 360 kickflip, to name a few. But you need to start with the basics before you can progress so let’s take a look at how to do a regular kickflip first.

There are five steps to the kickflip that include foot position, pop and drag, flick and kick, catching, and landing. If you follow these steps you will successfully learn how to kickflip but you will need to practice a lot. And by a lot, I mean hours, days, or maybe even weeks!

How To Kickflip On A Skateboard

There are five easy steps to learning how to perform a kickflip on your skateboard. Keep the following steps in mind as you practice learning this beginner skateboard trick.

1. Foot Position
2. Pop and Drag
3. Flick and Kick
4. Catching
5. Landing

1. Foot Position For A Kickflip

Foot position for a kickflip is similar to that of an ollie. The position of your front foot should be just below your front truck bolts or where it feels comfortable within this area. Your front foot should also be slightly turned towards the nose of your skateboard.

The back foot needs to be in the same position on the back kick as that of an ollie, which is right on the back kick with pressure on the ball of your foot.

Make sure to keep your weight over the center of the skateboard and keep your shoulders straight with your skateboard. Prepare to compress for the pop by bending your knees. When bending your knees you need to find that happy spot that is not too straight and not too bent. If your knees are too straight you won’t get enough compression to pop and if you bend your knees too much you may loose your balance and fall forwards or backwards.

Note: Keep your shoulders straight at all times during the trick. If your shoulders twist or turn your body will follow and you will end up turning in the air.

2. Pop And Drag

The next step to the kickflip is to pop the skateboard like an ollie, however after you compress and pop the skateboard you need to drag your front foot towards the nose at a slight diagonal direction. When your front foot almost reaches the end of the skateboard it’s time to initiate the flick and kick.

You need to repeat this motion over and over to get your foot trained on flicking. The flick is an extremely important step to the kickflip.

Ever wonder why skateboarders have holes in their shoes? Well the kickflip is known for shredding up your skate shoes due to your front foot sliding up the skateboard grip tape before you flick. Make sure you have a good pair of skate shoes that are designed to take a beating like this.

Note: I like to keep my eyes on my top left truck bolt because it helps me stay balanced and focused. This is a trick that might work for you too.

3. The Flick And Kick

The flick and kick are performed in one motion almost simultaneously. As your front foot leaves the skateboard at a slight diagonal direction, you need to flick with your little toe and at the same time kick your leg outwards.

Remember to kick outwards like a ‘karate-kick’ and not downwards so that your front foot stays up in the air while the board is rotating. This action is what makes the skateboard flip around under your feet.

Note: The amount of pressure and technique applied to the flick and kick will take some practice. Sometimes the skateboard will flip too fast or too slow but once you get used to the flick and kick, you will be able to control the speed at which the skateboard flips around beneath you.

4. Catching The Skateboard During A Kickflip

After the skateboard has completed a full flip you need to try and catch it with your feet. Watch the skateboard and when you see your grip tape, try to put your feet back on the skateboard. As you get better at doing a kickflip you can try and catch it with your back foot first followed by your front foot for ultimate style points.

Note: Keep looking for that top left truck bolt as the skateboard spins around to help keep you stay focused and balanced.

5. Landing And Rolling Away

Once you have caught the skateboard in the air it is time to stomp the landing. If your feet are over the front and back truck bolts you will likely land your kickflip smoothly and balanced for the ride away. By far the most perfect and best looking way to land any trick is when you land with both feet over your truck bolts.

Do your best to land your kickflip with your feet over the bolts, however landing and riding away at any account is considered a win when you are first learning.

Always remember to slightly bend your knees to absorb some of the impact on landing and keep your weight centered. This will ensure you ride out straight and are able to continue shredding your line.

Are You A Visual Learner? See This Video From Johnny Giger On How To Kickflip!

PRACTISE MAKES PERFECT WHEN IT COMES TO KICKFLIPS!

Learning how to kickflip is no easy feat and requires a lot of practice and determination. If you follow these steps you will end up adding the kickflip to your skate trick arsenal no doubt!

If you are not comfortable trying the kickflip while rolling on concrete, take your skateboard to the grass and start flipping it there. If you need further assistance try to find a fence that isn’t too high so you have something to hold on to.

Just remember practice makes perfect so keep practicing and don’t give up. If you are struggling with any of the steps or have questions feel free to leave a comment below and we can work through it together.

Did You Have Success With Learning How To Kickflip?

Hopefully you can now celebrate landing your first kickflip! Just remember skateboarding takes a lot of practice so do not give up!! Leave a comment below telling us about your progress and success with learning how to kickflip.

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