# How to Nollie Heelflip

> A nollie heelflip is a heelflip popped off the nose while you roll forward. A step-by-step guide from Skate AI (getskateai.com).

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

Flat ground · Level 4 of 5 · Learn first: [Nollie](https://getskateai.com/tricks/nollie)

## 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.

## Where your feet go

- **Regular:** 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.
- **Goofy:** 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

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

1. **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.
2. **Pop:** Pop the nose down with your weight on the front foot, the same commitment as a nollie.
3. **Kick:** As the board rises, kick out off the toe-side edge of the tail with your back heel.
4. **Catch:** Pull your feet up and let the board flip, then catch it flat with both feet over the bolts.
5. **Land:** Land with your knees bent and roll away.

## Troubleshooting

### 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.

## Drill

Get your nollie consistent first, then 10 nollie heelflips on flat ground focused on the back heel kick.

## 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.

## What to learn next

- Learn first: [Nollie](https://getskateai.com/tricks/nollie)
- Learn first: [Heelflip](https://getskateai.com/tricks/heelflip)
- Next: [Nollie 360 Flip](https://getskateai.com/tricks/nollie-360-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)
- [All 21 flip tricks, easiest to hardest](https://getskateai.com/skateboard-flip-tricks)
- [Foot placement chart for every flat trick](https://getskateai.com/skateboard-foot-placement-chart)
- [All 64 trick guides](https://getskateai.com/tricks)