kickflips

A kickflip is a fundamental skateboarding trick in which the rider uses an ollie to lift the board and then flicks the front foot to make the deck flip 360 degrees along its long axis, from nose to tail. The spin occurs under the rider as the board rotates, and the rider catches the board with both feet and lands centered over the deck.

Technique involves several key elements. The back foot sits on the tail to pop the board, while the front foot rests around the middle or front bolts. After popping, the front foot slides up the board and then flicks the edge with a quick outward motion to initiate the flip. The board spins while the skater stays over it, and the rider watches for the deck to complete its rotation before catching it with the feet and absorbing the landing with bent knees.

Variations and related tricks include the standard kickflip performed in regular and switch stances, the kickflip variations such as the varial kickflip (in which the board subtly shoves in the air), and the heelflip family (flicking with the back foot to flip the board in the opposite direction). The 360 flip, commonly called a tre flip, combines a flip with a full 360-degree rotation around the vertical axis.

History and reception: the kickflip emerged during the evolution of ollie-based street skating in the 1980s and was popularized by skaters who advanced flip tricks, notably Rodney Mullen. It remains a core technique taught to skaters of all levels.

Training and safety: learn on soft surfaces or with protective gear, progress from basic ollies to fakie or switch variations, and practice consistent foot positioning and flick control to reduce the risk of slips or ankle injuries.