How to
Hardflip
The short answer
A hardflip combines a kickflip with a frontside pop shove-it, and the board flips up between your legs instead of out front. Set your back foot toward the heel side of the tail, like a frontside shove-it, and your front foot in kickflip position but turned more toward the nose. Push the tail forward and flick out to the side, a bit behind you, opening your legs so the board comes up between them.
Back foot toward the heel side of the tail, like a frontside shove-it. Front foot in kickflip position but turned more toward the nose. Push the tail forward and flick out to the side, a bit behind you.
Step by step
Land your
first Hardflip.
Each step is a part of the trick Skate AI scores when you film a try.
- 01
Set up
Back foot toward the heel side of the tail, like a frontside shove-it. Front foot in kickflip position, turned more toward the nose.
- 02
Pop
Pop it like a frontside shove-it, pushing the tail forward and out.
- 03
Flick
Flick your front foot sideways, a bit behind you, instead of over the nose like a normal kickflip.
- 04
Open
Open your legs so the board has room to flip up between them.
- 05
Catch
Catch it with both feet once the flip and spin line up, and land over the bolts.
Troubleshooting
Why you're not
landing it.
The board flips out to the side instead of up between your legs
- Why
- You're flicking forward like a normal kickflip instead of sideways and behind you.
- Fix
- Flick more to the side and behind you, not over the nose.
You take the board to the shin
- Why
- Your legs aren't opening enough to give the board room to flip up.
- Fix
- Open your stance through the pop so the board has a clear path between your legs.
It spins but doesn't flip
- Why
- The flick is too weak under the frontside shove-it pop.
- Fix
- Commit a real flick off the corner, not just a push.
It flips but doesn't spin
- Why
- You're not pushing the tail forward like a frontside shove-it, just popping straight down.
- Fix
- Push the tail out in front of you like a frontside pop shove-it, then add the flick.
DrillPractice the frontside shove-it pop and the sideways flick as separate motions first, then combine them on flat ground.
Still not
landing it?
Film your hardflip. 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
Hardflip
FAQ
Why is a hardflip called that?
It's known for being hard to catch clean, since the board flips up close to your legs instead of out in front.
Should I learn a kickflip and frontside pop shove-it first?
Yes, both are prerequisites. A hardflip combines their motions into one pop.
How long does it take to learn a hardflip?
It's an advanced trick, often taking months, partly because of the mental hurdle of flicking the board toward your own legs.
Why does the board hit my shin every time?
Your legs aren't opening up through the pop. Focus on spreading your stance as you flick.