Skateboarding
Skateboarding
How to master the No Comply skateboarding trick
To help you grasp the technique, this article will take you step by step through the process of how to No Comply on a skateboard.
Skateboarding is all about pushing boundaries. Flipping your board mid-ride does just that. Among the many tricks you can try on your board, the No Comply stands out for its bold style. This trick flips the script on conventional skating, as it requires some real skill and precision. It’s not the easiest to master, but skateboarding is all about never giving up. Just ask Red Bull skateboarder Margielyn Didal.
Margielyn Didál does a backside grab at Red Bull Drop In Tour in France
© Anthony Acosta / Red Bull Content Pool
“Skateboarding is the same as life; no matter how many times you fail, you still get back up and keep going,” she says.
Perfecting the No Comply requires real dedication, but the practice can be just as rewarding as the accomplishment.
01
Understanding the No Comply
A straight No Comply requires stepping off the board with your front foot and popping it with your back foot. A lot of skaters prefer the No Comply’s most commonly performed variation, though, the No Comply Frontside 180, or simply, the No Comply 180. It involves popping your board and rotating 180 degrees before landing back on it. A fairly complex trick, this move requires as much coordination as you might imagine.
Pro skaters John Lucero and Neil Blender are credited as the inventors of the No Comply. The trick is essentially a boneless without the use of a skater’s hands. The No Comply became popular during the 1980s, but as trends changed, it fizzled out during the '90s.
CJ Collins does a no comply at the skatepark in Sisters, Oregon
© James Matthews / Red Bull Content Pool
Today, more skaters are taking on the No Comply as modern styles nod to vintage skateboarding tricks. Learning the No Comply means connecting with skateboarding history and the creativity that defines the sport.
02
Preparing to No Comply 180
Before hopping on your board, it’s important to make sure you’re equipped and well-prepared. Here’s the gear you’ll need:
- Skateboard. The No Comply requires a lot of precision and accuracy. You’ll need a skateboard with a sturdy deck, trucks that allow for smooth turning and control, and wheels with adequate grip for better control and stability.
- Shoes. Good heel cushioning and padding around the ankle are important. This improves comfort while protecting your ankles from potential impacts with your board while you’re practicing.
- Helmet. Safety should always be a priority when skateboarding. Wearing a helmet greatly reduces the risk of head injuries in case of falls or collisions. Choose a helmet specifically designed for skateboarding, and make sure it securely covers your head.
- Pads. Elbow and knee pads provide additional protection against scrapes, bruises, and impact injuries while learning and practicing the No Comply. This protective gear should offer sufficient coverage without restricting your range of motion.
03
Step-by-Step Guide to Performing a No Comply 180
Thaynan Costa does a no comply in Lima, Peru
© Gaston Francisco / Red Bull Content Pool
Now that you have all the gear you need, let’s get into the details of how to perform a No Comply 180.
- Get in position. Place your back foot close to the tail of your board and the toes of your front foot over your board’s front trucks. Keep a slight bend in your knees.
- Pick up speed. Push off on the ground with your back foot, and return that foot to its initial position. Bend your knees a bit more, and put more weight on your back leg.
- Perform the rotation. Press your back foot onto the tail of your board to pop your board into the air. At the same time, remove your front foot from your board, and place that foot onto the ground. Quickly and briefly transition your weight to that leg.
- Perform the rotation. As you press down onto the tail of your board with your back leg, use that foot to guide your board in a rotation around your foot. After rotating your board 180 degrees, what was the back of your board should now be the front of your board, and vice versa. Push off the foot that’s on the ground, and hop back onto your board.
- Resume riding stance. You should now be facing the opposite direction from where you started (a 180-degree rotation). Finish with a glide on your board, and you’ve just completed a No Comply 180.
04
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Madars Apse and Richie Jackson doing No Comply flips in Barcelona, Spain
© Richie Jackson / Red Bull Content Pool
It takes time to get the hang of this trick. As you practice, here are some common mistakes beginner No Compliers often make, along with tips to help your practice sessions flow more smoothly.
- Popping your board with excessive force. Putting too much pressure on the tail of your board can cause it to flip and fly out from under you. Try to control your movement so you can guide your board in its rotation with stability and balance.
- Leaning too far back. When stepping off your board during the No Comply, leaning heavily into the stepping position can throw off your weight distribution. Instead, lightly place your weight onto your ground foot. This way, you create a stable foundation you can easily bounce off to hop back onto your board.
- Stepping off your board for too long. Rotating your board should be a quick and smooth movement. If you linger on your ground foot for too long, this can break up the No Comply and make it feel and appear choppy. It’s a good idea to break up the No Comply into small pieces when you first start practicing. But eventually, you’ll need to focus on seamlessly combining all the movements so the trick maintains its fluidity.
05
Advanced tips and tricks
Zuzanna Bone does a 180 No Comply at Warsaw, Poland
© Kuba Skorupski / Red Bull Content Pool
Once you’ve mastered the No Comply, you might be searching for your next challenge. Below are some tricks that take the No Comply Frontside 180 to the next level.
- No Comply Revert. This trick starts off similar to the No Comply 180. The magic happens when your board is between 90 and 180 degrees of its rotation. At this point, you catch your board with your back foot and shove your board in the opposite direction from which it was moving. With this movement, you end the trick facing the same direction you started instead of, as with the No Comply 180, facing the opposite direction.
- No Comply Frontside 360. This trick builds on the No Comply Revert. With the 360 version, you don’t use your foot to push your board in the opposite direction. Instead, you use your foot to push your board in the same direction and pivot your body to complete the remaining 180 degrees. This results in completing a full turn.
- No Comply Backside 180. This trick is a bit of a mindbender. It’s essentially the reverse of the No Comply Frontside 180. During the No Comply Backside 180, you pop your board behind you instead of in front of you. This movement reduces your board's visibility, making it more difficult to catch it and hop back onto it.
Making a bold move
Take on the No Comply, and put your timing, coordination, and balance to the test. It might not be the easiest trick in the book. With enough practice, though, you’ll get the hang of it and before you know it, it’ll feel like second nature, just like your other skateboarding skills. Focus on practicing each part of this trick in bits and pieces. Soon you’ll be stringing them together and performing the No Comply with style and confidence.
