How to
Nollie Heelflip
The short answer
A nollie heelflip is a heelflip popped off the nose while you roll forward. Your back foot kicks the board into a flip the other way from a nollie kickflip. Put your front foot on the nose in the heel-side pocket, and your back foot in front of the back bolts, fairly straight, with your toes hanging off the toe side. Pop the nose, kick out off the toe-side edge of the tail with your back heel, then pull your feet up and catch it flat.
Front foot on the nose, in the heel-side pocket. Back foot in front of the back bolts, fairly straight, toes hanging off the toe side. Pop the nose and kick out off the toe-side edge of the tail with your back heel.
Step by step
Land your
first Nollie Heelflip.
Each step is a part of the trick Skate AI scores when you film a try.
- 01
Set up
Front foot on the nose, in the heel-side pocket. Back foot in front of the back bolts, fairly straight, toes hanging off the toe side.
- 02
Pop
Pop the nose down with your weight on the front foot, the same commitment as a nollie.
- 03
Kick
As the board rises, kick out off the toe-side edge of the tail with your back heel.
- 04
Catch
Pull your feet up and let the board flip, then catch it flat with both feet over the bolts.
- 05
Land
Land with your knees bent and roll away.
Troubleshooting
Why you're not
landing it.
The nose pops but nothing flips
- Why
- Your back foot is riding along instead of kicking.
- Fix
- Kick out off the toe-side edge of the tail with your heel, don't leave the foot passive.
It flips but you lose the pop
- Why
- You're focused on the kick and the front foot goes soft.
- Fix
- Commit to the front foot pop first, exactly like a nollie, then add the kick.
The board spins out sideways
- Why
- The kick isn't running straight off the edge of the tail.
- Fix
- Kick straight out off the toe-side edge, not at an angle.
You catch it off balance
- Why
- The flip timing is read off your back foot, which feels unfamiliar.
- Fix
- Get your nollie consistent first, so the pop and catch feel automatic before you add the kick.
DrillGet your nollie consistent first, then 10 nollie heelflips on flat ground focused on the back heel kick.
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 nollie heelflip. 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
Nollie Heelflip
FAQ
Should I learn a nollie and a heelflip first?
Yes, both are prerequisites. The nollie gives you the pop and the heelflip gives you the kick motion, just on the opposite foot.
Which way does it flip compared to a nollie kickflip?
The opposite way. A nollie heelflip kicks off the toe-side edge with the heel, and a nollie kickflip flicks off the heel-side edge.
Why does the kick feel so weak with my back foot?
Most skaters have much less practice flipping with their back foot, since a regular heelflip uses the front foot.
How long does it take to learn a nollie heelflip?
Often several weeks to a few months once your nollie and heelflip are solid, since the back foot kick takes repetition.