Flip tricks are some of the most impressive tricks that you can perform on a skateboard.
Flip tricks are the ones most likely to impress a non-skater and the ones that all newbie skaters want to learn.
There are many variations of flip tricks, and it’s those that we will look at in this guide.
Types of Flip Tricks
Flip tricks are any skateboard tricks whereby the board rotates on its vertical or horizontal axis.
In layman’s terms, it means that the board is either flipped edge over edge or nose over tail.
The first recognized flip trick was performed by skating legend Rodney Mullen.
It was known as a “magic flip” at the time but is now best known as a kickflip.
Kickflip and Heelflip
The kickflip is the original skateboard trick and remains one of the most iconic.
It’s a basic trick that is performed by flipping the board horizontally by 360 degrees, with the rider landing back on the deck.
Variations of the kickflip include the double kickflip and the triple kickflip, where the board is spun more times underfoot.
The heelflip is a similar trick and turns the board in a similar way.
The difference is that the kickflip involves flicking the board by sliding your foot off the top of the deck while the heelflip entails flicking the board with the heel during an ollie.
Ollie Impossible
The ollie impossible is an impressive trick whereby the skater rotates the board 36-degrees around their front foot or back foot.
The ollie imposter is a variation whereby the trick is performed with the back foot and then finished with a back foot flip trick.
Varial Kickflip (aka Kickflip Shuvit) and Varial Heelflip
A trick that was popularized by The First Broadcast but is somewhat controversial, with many arguing that it’s not a good-looking trick.
The varial kickflip is basically a kickflip combined with a backside-pop shove-it.
There is also a varial heelflip that combines a heelflip with a frontside-pop shove-it.
Inward Heelflip
A backside-pop shove-it in combination with a heelflip.
There are other variations of this trick, as well, including the 360 inward heelflip, which utilizes a backside 360 shove-it and a nollie inward heelflip.
The pressure flip is somewhat similar, albeit without the addition of a heelflip.
A pressure flip is also performed with the same foot used to pop the board into the air.
Backside Pop Shove-It
The backside pop shove-it (also known as “shuv-it”) begins with an ollie which “pops” the board in the air.
The board is then “shoved” 180 degrees toward the skater’s backside before the trick is landed.
Finger Flip Trick
Requires the use of the fingers (placed on the nose or tail of the skateboard) to flip the board.
The finger flip is one of the many skateboard tricks invented by Rodney Mullen.
Forward Flip
Also known as a horse flip or dolphin flip, the forward flip begins with an ollie before the front foot is pushed off the front of the board, rotating it vertically by 180 degrees (between the legs of the rider) and then flipping it horizontally.
The forward flip was first performed by Darrell Stanton and is very tricky to master.
Other Tricks
The above skateboard trick list is just a small glimpse into the many tricks that you can perform on a skateboard.
The most basic ones are the golden oldies, including the kickflip, but by combining different tricks and adding new techniques, pro skaters have created a host of other tricks.
Some of the additional ones to consider include the frontside flip, the dragon flip, and the elaborate handstand flip.
Summary: Most Popular Skateboard Tricks
The flip trick is one of the most common skateboard tricks.
It’s tricky to learn, but once you get the hang of the basics, there is a world of great tricks to explore!
Remember, if you’re new to skateboarding, flip tricks are not the best place to start.
The first step is to learn how to move, stop, and stay balanced on the board. Once you get the basics down, you can move onto ollies.
Only then should you venture into the world of flip tricks, preferably beginning with a basic trick like the kickflip.
