You may wonder: ‘How to kickflip on a longboard?’. The kickflip is an indispensable trick for adventurous longboard riders. However, this trick is not easy for beginners as it requires proper techniques and much practice.
If you have gone through many painful falls and failed attempts and still cannot master the trick, reading the post will be of great help. I will discuss the basics of the kickflip and help you perform it successfully in the shortest amount of time.
Continue reading, and I will show you!
What Is A Kickflip?
The kickflip is one of the most popular skateboarding tricks, especially on the longboards. It was invented by Curt Lindgren and became popular in the 1970s.
You will pop the longboard into the air and flip it in a full circle (360 degrees) using the skateboard’s feet to perform the kickflip. The flip makes the longboard spin in the air, giving a cool and satisfying experience.
A kickflip is successful when you land on the longboard after it spun in the air without falling. This trick requires a combination of foot placement, front foot kicking, weight balancing, and catching the board.
You can perform this trick on flat ground or on some obstacles. Although it sounds complicated, the kickflip is a basic trick that you need to master before moving on to more advanced skateboarding techniques.
After you have mastered the trick, your muscles will gradually adapt to different moves and become more flexible. Your ankle gets used to flipping the board, enabling you to learn the more advanced flips with ease.
Now let’s move on to performing the kickflip on a longboard!
How To Kickflip On A Longboard?
If you are beginners who haven’t learned any skateboarding tricks before, kick flipping is surely a challenge. Doing it the wrong way may lead to severe injuries and damage to your skateboard.
It takes time, patience, and a lot of practice before you can master the tricks. I promise that it will get easier over time after many failed attempts. Just follow these instructions carefully and grasp the basic techniques.
Foot Placement
Before learning the technique, you need to know that foot placement is one of the most critical factors in doing a kickflip. Always place your front feet a little behind the front nose and halfway off the longboard.
Your back foot should be on the board’s tail, right in the middle. The key is to shift your body weight over the back of the board. When standing on the board, lean your body slightly to the back.
If you don’t lean backward, the board will go rocket when performing the kickflip and make you fall. Ensure that your front angle and foot stick to the nose of the longboard.
In addition, the back foot should be closer to the rear of the board. Don’t align the front and back foot’s heels; they should be on the opposite side.
One thing to note is the spinning direction of the board. If you place your left foot in the front, it should be near the right rear side of the board. Meanwhile, the back foot will be near the left side.
When kick-fliping, the board will spin toward the left. The correct position is putting your strong foot backward and the weak one in the front. In this case, the right foot is the strong one, so it is on the back.
Kick Your Front Foot
After getting in the correct position, take a deep breath and bend your two knees to squat down. Jump upward and slightly to the side of your back foot.
Ensure to shift more weight on the back foot on the rear of the board so it will spin in the right direction. In the air, you should feel your front foot touching the nose of the board even before landing.
Remember to bend your knees (90 degrees) and lift your feet high above the ground so that they won’t touch the board.
Balancing The Weight
When your body and the board are in the air, keeping the body weight balanced is very important. Keep the two shoulders and feet aligned, so the weight and landing pressure are equally distributed between the two feet.
Without balancing, one of your legs will take more weight and pressure, which may lead to mild pain or even injuries in severe cases. This step also helps you catch and land on the board easier.
Catching The Longboard And Landing
Catch the longboard with your back foot first and followed by the front one.
The beginners should look at the board when landing. Your toe should touch the deck first and then follow with the heel.
Don’t panic, and let your feet touch the deck. Wait for the longboard to complete a whole 360-degree spin first. When landing, bend your knees slightly to reduce the pressure put on the legs and lower the risk of pain or injuries like bone spurs.
If you want more in-depth instructions, consider watching the video below.
FAQs
How Long Does It Take To Learn Kickflip?
If you are familiar with the longboard, learning to kickflip takes only a few days. It can take up to many months for beginners to perform the trick successfully.
The time also depends on your techniques and skills. I recommend you grasp the basic steps first before practicing.
Can You Kickflip On Smaller Boards?
The longer and broader the boards, the easier it is to kickflip. Practicing on a longboard is the best if you are learning this trick. After you have mastered the techniques, move on to the smaller boards and more complex skills.
Can Kickflip Cause Injury?
Without proper techniques and protective years, performing the trick can lead to bruises, pain, and even severe injuries. It will strain your ankle and cause painful symptoms like Achilles tendonitis.
Final Thoughts
Practice makes perfect. It is totally fine if you have grasped the proper techniques and still couldn’t perform the trick successfully. The first successful kickflip is so satisfying that you’ll forget all the pain in practice.
I hope that you are satisfied with the instructions provided in this post.
Thank you for reading!
