# How to Big Spin

> A big spin is a backside 360 shove-it while your body turns a backside 180. A step-by-step guide from Skate AI (getskateai.com).

Canonical: https://getskateai.com/tricks/big-spin
Last updated: 2026-10-19

Flat ground · Level 4 of 5 · Learn first: [360 Shove-It](https://getskateai.com/tricks/360-shove-it)

## The short answer

A big spin is a backside 360 shove-it while your body turns a backside 180. The board ends pointing the way it started and you ride away switch. Put the ball of your back foot about 2 cm from the tail tip, flat and centered, and your front foot about 10 cm behind the front bolts, turned slightly toward the nose. Pop and scoop the tail back behind you, hard enough for a full 360, while you turn backside.

## Where your feet go

- **Regular:** Ball of the back foot about 2 cm from the tail tip, flat and centered, toes on the board. Front foot about 10 cm behind the front bolts, turned slightly toward the nose. Pop and scoop the tail back behind you, hard enough for a full 360, while you turn backside.
- **Goofy:** Ball of the back foot about 2 cm from the tail tip, flat and centered, toes on the board. Front foot about 10 cm behind the front bolts, turned slightly toward the nose. Pop and scoop the tail back behind you, hard enough for a full 360, while you turn backside.

## Step by step

Each step is a part of the trick Skate AI scores when you film a try.

1. **Set up:** Ball of the back foot about 2 cm from the tail tip, flat and centered, toes on the board. Front foot about 10 cm behind the front bolts, turned slightly toward the nose.
2. **Scoop:** Pop and scoop the tail back behind you, hard enough for a full 360, while you turn backside.
3. **Turn:** Keep your back foot flat so it does not flip the board. The board turns twice as far as you do.
4. **Catch:** Catch it on the front foot.
5. **Land:** Land over the bolts and ride away switch.

## Troubleshooting

### The board only spins 180

**Why:** The scoop is too soft for a full 360.

**Fix:** Scoop harder, back behind you, while you pop.

### The board flips

**Why:** Your back foot is kicking or dragging off the tail.

**Fix:** Keep the back foot flat and centered.

### You land with the board pointing the wrong way

**Why:** The body turn and the board spin are out of sync.

**Fix:** Turn your shoulders backside as you scoop, and spot the landing early.

### You fall as you ride away

**Why:** Riding away switch feels strange.

**Fix:** Roll switch a lot first so landing in that stance is not a surprise.

## Drill

Practice 360 shove-its first until the board comes round every time, then add the backside 180 of your body, 10 tries on flat ground.

## FAQ

### What is the difference between a big spin and a 360 shove-it?

In a 360 shove-it only the board spins and you stay facing forward. In a big spin your body also turns a backside 180, so you land and ride away switch.

### What should I learn before a big spin?

The 360 shove-it and the backside 180.

### Which way does a big spin turn?

Backside, toward your toe side. The board spins a full 360 and you turn 180.

### Why do I ride away switch?

You turn 180 while the board turns 360, so the board points the way it started while you now face the other way.

## What to learn next

- Learn first: [360 Shove-It](https://getskateai.com/tricks/360-shove-it)
- Learn first: [Backside 180](https://getskateai.com/tricks/backside-180)

App: [Skate AI: Kickflip Ollie Coach on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/id6814983538)

## Related

- [Intermediate tricks, easiest to hardest](https://getskateai.com/intermediate-skateboard-tricks)
- [Foot placement chart for every flat trick](https://getskateai.com/skateboard-foot-placement-chart)
- [All 64 trick guides](https://getskateai.com/tricks)