The Kickflip

The kickflip is a very basic trick that will take you into more advanced tricks. The kickflip is a must know trick for any skater. There are 10 steps to the kickflip.
1. First, you will need a skateboard. I would suggest investing in something about $100-$200 dollars.
     -I do not recommend getting a Wal Mart or K Mart board, they break easily and are very low quality.
     -Carbon fiber boards are a great way to go because they give your board more pop.
     -Just use regular black grip tape, others are just giving more money to the store.

2.Next, adjust the boards trucks to a point where you have the most control
     -Don't go too tight or too loose
     -Too tight you will not be able to turn as well and too loose you will have little control over the board.
3.Make sure you get good wheels and bearings in order for your board to be able to roll smoothly.
     -Most bearings at skate shops are fine.

4.Then, find a flat area of concrete to skate on.
     -I recommend the skate park, very smooth concrete and other skaters might give you tips on what you are doing wrong.
     -Clear rocks out of the way because they can get in the way.
     -When you are first learning this trick, try to keep a distance from cars because your board might slip from under you and hit a car.

5.This trick is easier to do while in motion so have enough room to get a little speed up.
6.Now, your foot position is a very important step in the trick. The foot set-up is hard to explain in words so I will show you a picture.

     -Notice that the set-up is very similar to an ollie, except the front foot is slanted and slightly hanging off the board.
     -It is like that so that when you kick your board will rotate the correct direction.
7.Now, put yourself in motion and pop the board up with your back foot like you would in an ollie.
8.As you pop the board up jump up at the same time roll your front foot and flick it off the side of your board.
     -you must jump BEFORE you flick the board in order for it to spin.

9.If done correctly your board will rotate underneath you. Be sure to raise your legs so the board doesn't get blocked by your legs.

     -During this step is usually when the board will hit your shins and if you don't have this trick mastered you will have a lot of bruises on your legs.

10.As the board makes its full rotation, you will lower your back foot to stop the boards spin and then lower your other foot onto the board as you descend towards the ground.

     -Don't give up, it takes everyone a while to get it mastered but it is definitely worth learning. Many other advanced tricks require similar steps. The kickflip is a difficult trick to learn and takes time, effort and dedication.
     -Once you get enough practice in you can start doing kickflips up and down stairs, over gaps, and off ramps.

ALL IMAGES WERE IMPORTED FROM GOOGLE IMAGES