Skateboarding
Skateboarding
How to hardflip: A step-by-step guide
If you’re ready to take your skills to the next level, nailing the hardflip might be your next move.
If you want to feel like a skating champion, nailing the timing and precision of the hardflip can feel like earning a gold medal. As skater Lizzie Armanto said in Red Bull’s "Pushing Forward" series, “If I can complete my goal, then I feel like I’ve won.” If your next mission is to conquer this trick, read ahead for a step-by-step guide on how to do a hardflip.
Lucas DeLao does a hardflip during Red Bull Mind the Gap in Des Moines
© Alex Sveda / Red Bull Content Pool
What exactly is a hardflip, and is it difficult?
A hardflip takes some intermediate skills to master, but despite its name, it’s not that hard to land. It’s essentially a combination of two staple skating tricks. If you know how to kickflip and how to land a frontside pop shove-it, you’re already halfway to your first hardflip.
After popping your skateboard and catching air, you’ll both flick the board and spin it 180 degrees. Timing, precision, and stability are key to getting this right. If you don’t have a solid foundation with the fundamentals, such as the frontside 180, you may want to save hardflips for later. Getting comfortable with the basics first will make hardflips way easier.
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How to do a hardflip: a step-by-step guide
So, you’re good with the easier stuff, and now, you’re ready to move on to the next level of skateboarding tricks. Great! Below, you’ll find all the steps, from start to finish, for performing your first hardflip.
Get your feet in the right position
Put your front foot below your board’s bolts at a slight angle, just like you would before a regular kickflip. Then, place your back foot right at the other end of the board, with the ball of your foot at the tip of the tail.
Pop and rotate
Zion Wright does a hardflip at Red Bull Drop In Tour in Japan in 2023
© Anthony Acosta / Red Bull Content Pool
To start, pop the board as you move into a frontside 180. Aim for a diagonal angle toward your toe side as you apply pressure to the tail with your back foot. As the nose lifts off, use your front toes to scoop and flick the board so it rotates.
It’s common for skaters to let the board rotate vertically between their legs, but others prefer it to rotate horizontally underneath them. Either way, the key is to kick your legs out enough so that your board has room to turn all the way.
Catching the board
As the board rotates, it’s important to watch it closely so you’re ready to react when the rotation stops. It’s also important to keep your knees bent while you’re in the air for a smooth landing. Without bent knees, your board might not have enough room to fully rotate. Once your board has done a full rotation and is fully parallel to the ground, catch the board with your front foot at the bolts. Then, you can land evenly on the ground and glide away.
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Common hardflip mistakes and how to fix them
All of the above is certainly easier said than done. If anything, it’s totally normal if your first round of hardflips aren’t landing the way you’d hoped. Below are some common challenges you might encounter during a hardflip — and how you can maneuver through them for a graceful landing.
Foot position placement
Both of your feet play a role in popping and spinning your board, but the front foot does most of the driving. Moving your front foot out of the way in time after popping, so your board has room to rotate, is key. Making sure your foot is in the middle of your board’s deck and slightly forward-facing will make it easier to move your foot in time.
As you flip the board, your front foot will move back as it spins, and then forward again when it’s time to land. At the same time, your back foot does the opposite sequence, moving back, forward, and back again.
Hell Boy hardflip's at the Red Bull Mind the Gap 2022 in Orlando, Florida
© Chaz Miley / Red Bull Content Pool
Flick momentum
Lots of issues with a hardflip stem from a weak flick. It could simply be that your tail doesn’t lift off of the ground enough, so it’s harder to catch after it rotates. If your flick doesn’t have enough power, it’s also possible for the board to land “primo,” or on its side. It can help to practice your flick on its own so that you have ample muscle memory when you try a full hardflip.
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Hardflip safety precautions and practice tips
It’s good to prioritize safety anytime you’re skating, but it’s especially important when you’re learning a new trick. After all, landing a hardflip perfectly the first time is incredibly rare, and you might fall a few times. Here are some tips for practicing safely.
- Wear your safety gear. This may seem obvious, but it can’t ever be said enough. Always wear a helmet, and consider knee and elbow pads to cushion any falls if the board gets away from you.
- Practice in an open area. Find a flat, open space with few obstacles so you have all the room you need to pop and spin your board. Parking lots are great, especially if you also have access to a grassy knoll for a soft landing.
- Start one step at a time. If you’re struggling with one part of your hardflip, focus on getting that right before putting it all together. For instance, it can help to practice just your flip without worrying about your back foot landing on the board.
- Visualize the flip before you get on the board. It can be tough to master the hardflip rotation if you haven’t seen what a full spin looks like. Feel free to watch other skaters hardflip so you know what to aim for. You can even try spinning the board with your hands so you know how it should look when you do the trick with your feet.
Up your skating game with the hardflip
If you’re ready to take your skating skills to the next level, nailing the hardflip might be your next move. Watching your board complete that perfect rotation before a nice smooth landing is just an incredible thrill. Hardflips might not be the easiest trick, but the feeling of accomplishment once you master them is unmatched.
