Kickflip

Kickflip (originally Magic flip or Ollie flip, also Ollie Kickflip), also known simply as a flip is an aerial skateboarding trick where the skateboarder kicks his board in order to make it flip 360 degrees along the board's long axis. It was invented by Rodney Mullen.

A kickflip is executed similarly to the ollie: hitting the tail of the deck and sliding the leading foot up to the top of the deck, bringing both board and rider off the ground. When the skater performs a kickflip, the front foot slides up and across the board to create a flip. Currently, the proper way to execute this is by flicking one's foot off the nose on the heel side. Early variations were pushed down on the heel side of the board without any form of ollie; these are now often referred to as "Mob" kickflips and are considered a taboo in modern skating. Because the force from the front foot is applied to the lateral edge of the board, it pushes the board spinning around its long axis. After the board has flipped 360 degrees the skateboarder stops the rotation with his feet and lands the trick. This can also be done by pushing to foot directly down and making sure to get the foot you have pushed the board down with out of the way of the spinning board.

The basic kickflip variations are nollie flip, switch flip and fakie flip. They are kickflips that are performed to the three basic ollie variations. Usually the name of the trick is shortened to just flip when it is preceded by something else in the name of a trick, e.g. varial flip, backside flip (shorter name for backside 180 kickflip), and 360 flip.

Other kickflip variations include the double, triple, and even quadruple kickflip.

How to do a Kickflip

	Make sure you can ollie at least well enough to get over 1 skateboard deck.
	A kickflip can either be learnt rolling or stationary, decide which you prefer and either push off on a smooth, flat surface or make your board steady on a similar area.
	The positioning of your feet for a kickflip is very similar to that of the ollie, although you may want to have your back foot slightly further of the board (more of the heel hanging over the edge of your deck) So set up as feels most comfortable. Also make your front foot slightly more angled up the board.
	Pop an Ollie as you normally would.
	As you start getting air, slide your front foot off the front/side of your board, just past your front bolts. This is what makes the board flip.
	Make sure you keep jumping and don't let the board get caught up with your feet. As you reach the peak of your air, watch your board and wait until you see the grip side of it again.
	Try to plant you feet back on the board (ideally over both sets of bolts) The reason for this is to make it easier to land and also to avoid any chance of your deck snapping!
	Catch the board firmly, land back down and roll away smoothly. Ollie | Flip Trick | Kickflip | Aerials | Grabs | Slides | Lip Tricks | Freestyle | Other Tricks | Videos Other Boarding Sites: Skateboarding | Skateboarding Tricks | Snowboarding | Snowboard