Kickflip
vs heelflip
The short answer
Both are an ollie plus a flick of the front foot, and both are level 2 of 5 in our guides. The kickflip flicks off the heel-side corner of the nose with your front foot at about 45°, heel hanging off. The heelflip kicks your heel forward off the toe-side corner with your front foot fairly straight, toes hanging off, and the board flips the other way. Most skaters learn the kickflip first, but neither one is required for the other: try both and stick with the one that clicks.
Regular stance, from above
Where your feet go
Kickflip
- Front foot at 45°, heel hanging off
- Flick diagonally off the heel-side corner of the nose
- Knees up, catch it over the bolts
Heelflip
- Toes hang off the toe-side edge
- Kick your heel forward, out in front of you
- Pull your feet up and catch it flat
Front foot Back foot. Goofy diagrams are on each guide.
Side by side
The difference
| Kickflip | Heelflip | |
|---|---|---|
| Back foot | Middle of the tail, like an ollie | On the tail, like an ollie |
| Front foot | Just behind the front bolts at about 45°, heel hanging off the heel side | Behind the front bolts, fairly straight, toes hanging off the toe side |
| What flips it | The side of your shoe flicks diagonally off the heel-side corner of the nose | Your heel kicks forward off the toe-side corner of the nose |
| Board flips | One way | The opposite way from a kickflip |
| Catch | Knees up, back foot first, then front foot, over the bolts | Pull your feet up, let it flip flat, catch with both feet |
| Level | 2 of 5 | 2 of 5 |
When it won't land
Common mistakes, each trick
Kickflip
- It flips out in front of you
- Flick diagonally off the heel-side corner, and jump up, not forward.
- It doesn't flip all the way
- Slide further up and flick off the corner, so your shoe leaves the board at the edge.
- Your back foot stays down
- Knees up right after the pop. Bring your back foot up to meet the board.
- You land it but it shoots out
- Catch it over the bolts and keep your shoulders level with the board.
Heelflip
- It flips out to the side instead of straight
- Kick straight forward, out in front of you, off the toe-side corner of the nose.
- It doesn't finish the flip
- Kick harder off the corner so your heel leaves the board right at the edge.
- Your back foot never leaves the tail
- Bring your knees up right after the pop, same timing as an ollie.
- You catch it but it slides out from under you
- Wait for the board to finish flipping flat before you catch it with both feet.
FAQ
Kickflip vs
heelflip FAQ
Is a heelflip harder than a kickflip?
Both are level 2 of 5 in our guides. Many skaters find the heelflip a bit harder, since the heel kick uses less foot surface than a kickflip’s flick, but it varies a lot by skater.
Should I learn kickflips or heelflips first?
Most skaters learn the kickflip first, but neither one is required for the other. You need a consistent ollie for both. Try each for a session and stick with the one that clicks.
Why can I heelflip but not kickflip?
The front foot is set up differently. A heelflip foot sits fairly straight; a kickflip foot turns to about 45° with the heel hanging off the heel side, and flicks diagonally off the heel-side corner. If the kickflip flips out in front of you, you are kicking forward instead of out and up: jump up, not forward. If it won’t finish the flip, slide further up and flick off the corner.
Why can I kickflip but not heelflip?
The heelflip kick goes straight forward, out in front of you, off the toe-side corner. If it flips out to the side, you are kicking at an angle. If it doesn’t finish the flip, kick harder off the corner so your heel leaves the board right at the edge.
What comes after the kickflip and the heelflip?
After the kickflip: fakie kickflip, varial kickflip, 360 flip, switch kickflip. After the heelflip: varial heelflip, double heelflip, inward heelflip, switch heelflip, fakie heelflip.
