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The Perfect Kickflip |
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Strictly because there are just too many people out there with gross kickflips, and because I'm such a nice guy, I will now divulge the secrets that are necessary for flipping, instead of flopping, your flips.
The first thing to do is to watch it being done. And, if at all possible, watch it being done by someone who can do good kickflips. Take a good kickflip and a bad kickflip, watch them side-by-side. What's so good about the good one? What's so bad about the bad one? Although personal opinion does tend to lay a role here, there are some things good kickflips have that bad ones just don't…..
I know this will ruin a lot of your days, but here it is, plain and simple: you need to learn how to ollie first. I mean really ollie. You should be able to ollie a few boards without really stressing. If you can get your board about a foot into the air, level it out, and land straight, on all four wheels at the same time, and so this consistently, then you can start on your kickflips.
Helpful link : Mastering The Ollie by Garedio
Now, I know that none of you will pay any attention to that last paragraph, and I understand why. Most of you started trying kickflips before you could even ollie up a curb. That's fine. Once you learn nice, clean, high ollies, then you can re-learn your kick flips, so that they look just like Reynolds's.
Now then, on to the secrets. It's all pretty simple, actually. The precise location of your feet on the board really isn't that important. In fact, it's different for a lot of people. For the most height out of your ollie, however, try to put the ball of your back foot on the tip of the tail. You'll get the most pop that way. Your front foot goes wherever it's comfortable for you, so that it flips the board properly. This will take some trial-and-error. You might want to start trying it with your front foot just above the middle of the board, with the heel-half of your foot hanging off, and at about a 45 degree angle.
Ideally, the board should flip up to your feet. You should catch the kickflip at the peak of your ollie, and from there, just ride it out. For the board to flip up to your feet, you will have to develop your 'flick' (sorry there isn't a more technical word, but hey- we're talking about skateboarding). When you kick your front foot to make the board flip, that's your flick. Once you find the right place for your feet, you will need to figure out how hard to flick, and which way to flick your foot. All I can tell you, is that it is up and out, more up than out. Naturally, it will differ for each person, so feel it out. Naturally, this will take some time, so it's important to not get discouraged. Pay attention to how your kickflips look, and how they feel. Some people get them quickly, for others it can take years. But one thing's for certain, everybody wants to flip their board.
Remember, skateboarding is for fun, don't get stressed out or angry because something isn't working right, take a break, trying something different, and remember you are skating for fun !
Good Luck. |
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| Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2003 11:18 am |
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Bravo on the article...I think its a real shame that people try to learn flip tricks before they can even ollie over a packet of crips!
Its stupid if you think about it, because there are people who can land a kickflip, and people who can kickflip.
I myself have only rescently been able to learn to control a kickflip properly, and it isnt an easy task to accomplish by any means. The main concept is that you have to flip the board up to your feet. I thought the key was front foot position, but its actually not as vital as popping the board hard. Like Mr curb was saying...you need a descent ollie before learning this because not only will it give you the necessary skills to land the trick, but it will enable you to pop the board hard which is vital for catching it.
Landing is something that will come naturally...to some, but the flip has to come from skill and hard work. If you think about it, if you are able to catch te kickflip as you are in the air, it will obviously be easier to land the trick because you have already connected with your board! Those who just land on it after it hits the ground have just completed a simple and pointless trick, which is likely to lead to terrible injury as you will no doubt have very little control over the board on landing.
The front foot is also a key factor in kickflipping, but I find that different foot positions apply to different applications. For instance, If kickflipping something big, like a wall or another obstacle, I tend to put my front foot further back towards the centre of the deck to allow for more pop, and therefore more height. However, If its steps or a ledge im flipping, distance is more important than height (although some height is needed if you want to catch the flip properly)....therefore I usually place my front foot a little further towards the front bolts. This allows you to keep the board more stable in the air so you catch it early, and you will land more equally over the board so the chance of rolling away is increased.
The final concept to do with kickflips is speed. Moderate speed should be enough to conquer most obstacles, but speed is less important if you have a big kickflip. These days I usually take the run up to steps slow but flip harder and higher, this also gives you more control in the air and increases your chance of landing. Moderate speed is required to flip over something unless you have an extra-ordinary flip, but if you can learn to kickflip at high speed its much easier to get over distances, and also height is increases if you have a good technique. |
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| Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2003 9:00 pm |
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Very nice article Curb
Very nice article Garedio
Why don't you two team up and make the article of articles?
Daf. |
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| Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2003 11:33 am |
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I swear I have seen this post of www.skateboard.com...
Here's something for you to ponder on. I can flip perfectly but find it really hard to land it 2 footed. However on just a board no trucks or wheels i can flip it perfectly and land it perfectly. Is there something wrong with me? |
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| Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2003 8:29 pm |
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Nothing wrong, just lacking practice perhaps.
Make sure your shoulders are straight and lined up, body weight even etc.
I can flip the board fast and low 9 out of 10 times, but flipping a decent height and catching it, I can only 4 out of 10, maybe less.
Depends a lot on mood, day, how your skating etc. |
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| Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2005 4:03 pm |
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Great article, so props to the original writer.
Something that really helped me getting my kickflip to be there everytime was that really thinking that the board has to be right under me all time. Don't catch it right in front- or behind you, but right under you. Ideally your backfoot should be right over the board all the time, and your front foot should just quickly flick the board, and then catch it right away!
When i first learned this it took me no longer than a week to not only be doing my kickflips almost every time, but also catching them at least 15-20 cm higher.
Good luck: ) |
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| Posted: Sun Dec 03, 2006 12:01 am |
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| yeah what really helped me was just getting a good pop and bending my knees all the way to my chest now my kickflips come up to my waist. when it comes down to it its all about dedication and your commitment to your board. |
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