# How to Switch Heelflip

> A switch heelflip is a heelflip in your opposite stance. A step-by-step guide from Skate AI (getskateai.com).

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

Flat ground · Level 4 of 5 · Learn first: [Switch Ollie](https://getskateai.com/tricks/switch-ollie)

## The short answer

A switch heelflip is a heelflip in your opposite stance. It is the same placement as a heelflip with your feet swapped: your usual front foot pops the tail, and your usual back foot flicks from 3 to 4 cm behind the front bolts, toes over the toe side. Drag the heel up and kick off the toe-side corner of the nose, diagonally up and out.

## Three things to remember

1. Big pop, then suck the back foot up
2. Kick up and out, not down
3. Let the board come up to you

## Setup

Same placement as a heelflip with your feet swapped: your usual front foot pops the tail, and your usual back foot flicks from 3 to 4 cm behind the front bolts, toes over the toe side. Drag the heel up and kick off the toe-side corner of the nose, diagonally up and out.

## Step by step

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

1. **Set up:** Same placement as a heelflip with your feet swapped. Your usual front foot pops the tail. Your usual back foot is 3 to 4 cm behind the front bolts, toes over the toe side.
2. **Pop:** Pop big, then suck your back foot up.
3. **Kick:** Drag the heel up and kick off the toe-side corner of the nose, diagonally up and out, not down.
4. **Catch:** Let the board come up to you, then catch it over the bolts.
5. **Land:** Land switch and keep rolling.

## Troubleshooting

### It does not flip

**Why:** The kick is too soft or comes too early.

**Fix:** Pop first, then kick off the toe-side corner.

### The board shoots away

**Why:** You are kicking down.

**Fix:** Kick up and out.

### You miss the catch

**Why:** You are reaching for the board.

**Fix:** Let the board come up to you.

### You pop weakly

**Why:** Popping with your usual front foot feels strange.

**Fix:** Practice switch ollies until the pop feels normal.

## Drill

Roll switch for a session, 10 switch ollies, then 10 switch heelflips.

## FAQ

### What is a switch heelflip?

A heelflip in your opposite stance. Your usual front foot pops the tail and your usual back foot kicks.

### What should I learn before a switch heelflip?

The switch ollie and the heelflip.

### Is a switch heelflip harder than a heelflip?

Yes. It is level 4 of 5 in our guides because both the pop and the kick are in your weaker stance.

### Should I learn switch kickflips or switch heelflips first?

Whichever you do better regular. Both start from a solid switch ollie.

## What to learn next

- Learn first: [Switch Ollie](https://getskateai.com/tricks/switch-ollie)
- Learn first: [Heelflip](https://getskateai.com/tricks/heelflip)

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)
- [All 64 trick guides](https://getskateai.com/tricks)