heelflip

A heelflip is a popular ollie-based skateboard trick in which the board flips 360 degrees in the horizontal plane around its vertical axis, driven by a flick of the front foot’s heel. It is commonly performed on flat ground but can also be used in street tricks and transitions.

Technique: The rider approaches in a comfortable stance, pops the tail to lift off, and levels the board in the air. While the board rises, the front foot slides up the deck and the heel is flicked outward toward the edge of the board, causing the board to rotate underneath the rider. The rider watches the board as it completes its flip, then catches it with the feet and lands with knees bent, rolling away smoothly. Timing, foot placement, and keeping shoulders aligned with the board are important for a clean landing.

Variations: Common variants include the nollie heelflip (popping from the nose instead of the tail), the fakie heelflip (performed in a backward or fakie stance), and inward heelflips (a flip that happens with the board rotating in the opposite direction, often closer to the rider’s body). Stance and approach can be adjusted to suit street, pool, or transition skating.

Difficulty and practice: The heelflip requires precise foot flicks and board control, and misses can result in falls or injuries. Riders typically practice on flat ground before attempting on urban obstacles, and progress gradually to more challenging surfaces and speeds.