How to
Fakie Kickflip
The short answer
A fakie kickflip is a regular kickflip popped while you're rolling backwards in your normal stance. Your feet go exactly where they do for a normal kickflip, back foot on the tail and front foot at about 45 degrees behind the front bolts. Flick off the heel-side corner of the nose the same way, keeping your shoulders square and staying centered over the board instead of leaning into the roll.
Step by step
Land your
first Fakie Kickflip.
Each step is a part of the trick Skate AI scores when you film a try.
- 01
Set up
Back foot on the tail, front foot at about 45 degrees behind the front bolts, same as a regular kickflip. Get rolling fakie.
- 02
Center
Keep your shoulders square and your weight stacked over the middle of the board.
- 03
Pop
Pop straight down off the ball of your back foot, same as your regular kickflip.
- 04
Flick
Flick off the heel-side corner of the nose with the same motion you already use.
- 05
Land
Catch it with both feet over the bolts and keep rolling fakie.
Troubleshooting
Why you're not
landing it.
You flick fine but fall backwards on landing
- Why
- You're leaning into the direction you're rolling instead of staying centered.
- Fix
- Keep your shoulders and hips stacked over the board, not leaning back.
The flick feels weaker than your regular kickflip
- Why
- You're hesitating because the backwards roll feels unfamiliar.
- Fix
- Commit the exact same flick you already use going forward.
The board spins out to the side
- Why
- It's harder to see the nose clearly rolling fakie, so the flick direction drifts.
- Fix
- Look down at the board through the flick until the direction feels automatic.
You catch it but can't ride away
- Why
- You're not used to reading your balance rolling backwards after landing.
- Fix
- Practice rolling fakie without popping anything until the backwards balance feels normal.
Drill10 fakie kickflips at a slow, steady roll, focused on staying centered rather than flicking harder.
Still not
landing it?
Film your fakie kickflip. Skate AI shows you which part went wrong and the one fix for your next try.
On a computer? Point your iPhone camera here.
FAQ
Fakie Kickflip
FAQ
Should I learn a regular kickflip before a fakie kickflip?
Yes. The flick motion is identical, so a consistent regular kickflip makes the fakie version much faster to pick up.
Is a fakie kickflip harder than a regular kickflip?
The flick itself isn't harder, but balancing and landing while rolling backwards adds difficulty.
How long does it take to learn once I have a kickflip?
Often just a few sessions to a couple of weeks, since the main new skill is staying centered rolling fakie.
What's the difference between fakie and switch?
Fakie keeps your normal stance while rolling backwards. Switch keeps you rolling forward with your feet in the opposite stance.