# How to Fakie Kickflip

> A fakie kickflip is a regular kickflip popped while you're rolling backwards in your normal stance. A step-by-step guide from Skate AI (getskateai.com).

Canonical: https://getskateai.com/tricks/fakie-kickflip
Last updated: 2026-10-19

Flat ground · Level 3 of 5 · Learn first: [Kickflip](https://getskateai.com/tricks/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.

## Where your feet go

- **Regular:** Same feet as a kickflip. Back foot on the tail, front foot at 45° behind the front bolts. Flick off the heel-side corner of the nose.
- **Goofy:** Same feet as a kickflip. Back foot on the tail, front foot at 45° behind the front bolts. Flick off the heel-side corner of the nose.

## Step by step

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

1. **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.
2. **Center:** Keep your shoulders square and your weight stacked over the middle of the board.
3. **Pop:** Pop straight down off the ball of your back foot, same as your regular kickflip.
4. **Flick:** Flick off the heel-side corner of the nose with the same motion you already use.
5. **Land:** Catch it with both feet over the bolts and keep rolling fakie.

## Troubleshooting

### 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.

## Drill

10 fakie kickflips at a slow, steady roll, focused on staying centered rather than flicking harder.

## 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.

## What to learn next

- Learn first: [Kickflip](https://getskateai.com/tricks/kickflip)
- Learn first: [Fakie Ollie](https://getskateai.com/tricks/fakie-ollie)

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)
- [All 21 flip tricks, easiest to hardest](https://getskateai.com/skateboard-flip-tricks)
- [Foot placement chart for every flat trick](https://getskateai.com/skateboard-foot-placement-chart)
- [All 64 trick guides](https://getskateai.com/tricks)