# How to Inward Heelflip

> An inward heelflip combines a heelflip with a backside pop shove-it. A step-by-step guide from Skate AI (getskateai.com).

Canonical: https://getskateai.com/tricks/inward-heelflip
Last updated: 2026-10-19

Flat ground · Level 5 of 5 · Learn first: [Heelflip](https://getskateai.com/tricks/heelflip)

## The short answer

An inward heelflip combines a heelflip with a backside pop shove-it. Set your back foot at the very end of the tail in the toe-side pocket, toes hanging off, and your front foot in heelflip position with your toes off the toe side. Scoop the tail back as you kick the heelflip, flicking your front foot toward the tail rather than forward, so the flip and the spin finish together.

## Where your feet go

- **Regular:** Ball of the back foot in the heel-side pocket of the tail. Front foot around the middle of the board, a little behind the heelflip spot, toes about 3 cm off the toe side. Pop and scoop the tail back toward your heels while the front foot kicks out off the toe side.
- **Goofy:** Ball of the back foot in the heel-side pocket of the tail. Front foot around the middle of the board, a little behind the heelflip spot, toes about 3 cm off the toe side. Pop and scoop the tail back toward your heels while the front foot kicks out off the toe side.

## Step by step

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

1. **Set up:** Back foot at the very end of the tail in the toe-side pocket, toes hanging off. Front foot in heelflip position, toes off the toe side.
2. **Pop:** Pop down while scooping the tail back, the same motion as a backside pop shove-it.
3. **Kick:** Kick your heel toward the tail rather than forward, at the same moment as the scoop.
4. **Catch:** Wait for the grip tape to spin back around and the flip to finish, then catch it with both feet.
5. **Land:** Land with both feet over the bolts and roll away.

## Troubleshooting

### It spins but doesn't flip

**Why:** The heel kick is too weak under the backside scoop.

**Fix:** Commit a real heel kick, just aimed toward the tail instead of forward.

### It flips but doesn't spin

**Why:** You're kicking like a normal heelflip without scooping the tail back.

**Fix:** Add the backside scoop first, then layer the heel kick toward the tail on top.

### The board flips forward instead of toward you

**Why:** You're kicking forward out of habit from a regular heelflip.

**Fix:** Redirect the kick toward the tail, not out over the nose.

### You catch it still spinning

**Why:** You're catching too early, before the shove-it portion finishes.

**Fix:** Wait for the grip tape to fully line up before you catch.

## Drill

Isolate the backside shove-it scoop first, then add the heel kick toward the tail once the scoop feels automatic.

## FAQ

### Should I learn a heelflip and a 360 shove-it first?

A heelflip and a backside pop shove-it are the real building blocks here. Both should be consistent before combining them.

### Is an inward heelflip harder than a varial heelflip?

Yes, most skaters find it harder, since the heel kick direction toward the tail is less intuitive than a varial's forward kick.

### How long does it take to learn an inward heelflip?

It's an advanced trick, often taking months once you already have the component tricks down.

### Why does my board spin the wrong way?

Your back foot placement or scoop direction is off. Recheck that you're scooping backside, the same direction as a regular pop shove-it.

## What to learn next

- Learn first: [Heelflip](https://getskateai.com/tricks/heelflip)
- Learn first: [360 Shove-It](https://getskateai.com/tricks/360-shove-it)

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

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