How to
Kickflip
The short answer
A kickflip is an ollie where your front foot flicks the board into a full flip. Put your back foot in the middle of the tail and your front foot just behind the front bolts at about 45°, heel hanging off. Pop, slide up, flick off the heel-side corner of the nose, then pull your knees up and catch it over the bolts.
In Skate AI's data, 35% of 146 filmed kickflip tries landed. See trick landing rates →
Back foot in the middle of the tail like an ollie. Front foot about 3 cm behind the front bolts at 45°, ball of the foot on the middle line, heel hanging off the heel side. Slide up and flick with the side of your shoe off the heel-side corner of the nose, so the board pops up and flips at the same time.
Step by step
Land your
first Kickflip.
Each step is a part of the trick Skate AI scores when you film a try.
- 01
Set up
Back foot on the middle of the tail. Front foot just behind the front bolts at about 45°, set toward the heel-side edge with your heel hanging off.
- 02
Pop
Pop straight down off the ball of your back foot, the same pop as your ollie.
- 03
Flick
As the board rises, slide your front foot up and flick diagonally off the heel-side corner of the nose with the side of your shoe.
- 04
Catch
Pull your knees up and let the board flip once underneath you. Catch it with your back foot first, then your front foot, over the bolts.
- 05
Land
Both feet over the bolts, knees bent, shoulders level with the board. Roll away.
Troubleshooting
Why you're not
landing it.
It flips out in front of you
- Why
- You're kicking the board forward instead of out and up.
- Fix
- Flick diagonally off the heel-side corner, and jump up, not forward.
It doesn't flip all the way
- Why
- The flick is too soft, or it comes off the middle of the nose.
- Fix
- Slide further up and flick off the corner, so your shoe leaves the board at the edge.
Your back foot stays down
- Why
- You're popping but not lifting.
- Fix
- Knees up right after the pop. Bring your back foot up to meet the board.
You land it but it shoots out
- Why
- You're landing on the tail or the nose instead of over the bolts.
- Fix
- Catch it over the bolts and keep your shoulders level with the board.
Drill10 kickflips on grass, landing with both feet on the bolts. The board can't roll away, so you can commit.
Not sure which one is yours? Film a try with Skate AI and it names the one fix that matters most.
Still not
landing it?
Film your 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
Kickflip
FAQ
How long does it take to learn a kickflip?
It depends on how often you skate. You need a consistent ollie first, then most people take a few weeks to a few months of sessions. Filming your tries and fixing one thing at a time gets you there faster.
Should I learn kickflips or heelflips first?
Most skaters learn the kickflip first, but neither one is required for the other. Try both and stick with the one that clicks.
Why does my board land upside down?
It's only flipping halfway. Flick harder and further off the corner of the nose, and jump higher so the board has time to finish the flip.
Do I need to be rolling to kickflip?
No. Most people learn standing still on grass or carpet, then roll slowly once the flick and catch feel consistent.
Why do I keep landing primo on kickflips?
Primo means the board lands on its side edge, so the flip stopped about a quarter turn short. Flick a little harder off the heel-side corner, jump higher so it has time to finish, and wait to put your back foot down until you see grip tape.
Which foot flicks a kickflip?
Your front foot. The back foot pops the tail, and the front foot slides up and flicks off the heel-side corner of the nose. That's your left foot if you skate regular and your right foot if you skate goofy.
Is a kickflip harder than an ollie?
Yes. A kickflip is an ollie plus a flick and a catch, so you need a consistent ollie first, and then two more things to time.