# How to Frontside Pop Shove-It

> A frontside pop shove-it is a pop shove-it that spins the opposite direction, out in front of you instead of behind. A step-by-step guide from Skate AI (getskateai.com).

Canonical: https://getskateai.com/tricks/frontside-pop-shove-it
Last updated: 2026-10-19

Flat ground · Level 3 of 5 · Learn first: [Pop Shove-It](https://getskateai.com/tricks/pop-shove-it)

## The short answer

A frontside pop shove-it is a pop shove-it that spins the opposite direction, out in front of you instead of behind. Set the ball of your back foot on the heel side of the tail, with your front foot near the front bolts, fairly straight. Pop and push the tail forward, letting your front foot guide the spin before it catches the board over the bolts.

## Where your feet go

- **Regular:** Ball of the back foot on the heel side of the tail. Front foot near the front bolts, fairly straight. Pop and push the tail forward, out in front of you.
- **Goofy:** Ball of the back foot on the heel side of the tail. Front foot near the front bolts, fairly straight. Pop and push the tail forward, out in front of you.

## Step by step

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

1. **Set up:** Ball of your back foot on the heel side of the tail. Front foot near the front bolts, fairly straight.
2. **Pop:** Pop down while pushing the tail forward, out in front of you, instead of scooping it back.
3. **Guide:** Let your front foot guide the spin as the board turns underneath you.
4. **Catch:** Watch for the grip tape to come back around and catch it with both feet.
5. **Land:** Land with both feet over the bolts and roll away.

## Troubleshooting

### The board won't turn, just pops straight up

**Why:** You're popping straight down instead of pushing the tail forward.

**Fix:** Push the tail out in front of you as you pop, not just down.

### It spins backside instead of frontside

**Why:** Your back foot is set for a regular pop shove-it, on the wrong side of the tail.

**Fix:** Check your back foot is on the heel side of the tail before you pop, not centered.

### You catch it but it's off balance

**Why:** Your front foot isn't guiding the spin, just riding along.

**Fix:** Actively steer with your front foot through the spin instead of leaving it passive.

### It over-rotates past 180

**Why:** You're pushing the tail too hard or catching late.

**Fix:** Push with less force and catch it the instant the grip tape lines up.

## Drill

10 frontside pop shove-its on flat ground, focused on pushing the tail forward rather than down.

## FAQ

### Is a frontside pop shove-it harder than a regular pop shove-it?

Most skaters find it a bit harder, since pushing the tail forward feels less natural than scooping it back.

### Should I learn a regular pop shove-it first?

It helps you understand the pop and catch timing, but the two spin in opposite directions and use a different back foot position, so it's a separate skill to drill.

### Why does my board flip instead of spinning flat?

Your back foot is catching an edge instead of pushing straight forward. Keep the push level and centered on the heel side of the tail.

### How long does it take to learn?

Usually a bit longer than a regular pop shove-it, often several weeks, since the pushing motion takes time to feel natural.

## What to learn next

- Learn first: [Pop Shove-It](https://getskateai.com/tricks/pop-shove-it)
- Next: [360 Shove-It](https://getskateai.com/tricks/360-shove-it)
- Next: [Varial Heelflip](https://getskateai.com/tricks/varial-heelflip)
- Next: [Laser Flip](https://getskateai.com/tricks/laser-flip)

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)