Are you ready to take your skateboarding skills to the next level? Then, A heelflip trick can help. It is a fundamental skateboard trick that looks great when executed properly. It is a famous trick that can impress your friends and make you feel like a pro.
The heelflip involves the skateboarder using their back foot to flip the board 360 degrees along its length while also kicking the board like a kickflip but on the heel side to make it spin in the opposite direction.
It is a challenging trick, but with practice and persistence, you can get this trick. And we will guide you through the steps to heelflip on a skateboard in this article. Let’s start with the considerations first.
Things to Consider Before Learning Heelflip
Before you start learning how to heelflip, there are a few things you should consider to make the process smoother and more effective. Here are some things to keep in mind before you start learning the heelflip:
Wear proper protective gear and warm up.
Always wear appropriate protective gear when skateboarding, including helmets, knee pads, elbow pads, and wrist guards. Ensure you have a safe area to practice with no obstacles or hazards.
You’ll want to wear skateboarding shoes or other footwear with good grip and support. Avoid shoes that are too loose or slippery, as they can hinder your ability to perform the trick.
It is essential to warm up before attempting any skateboarding tricks to prevent injury. You can start by doing light cardio exercises like jogging or jumping jacks to get your blood flowing. Then, you can stretch your legs, arms, and back to loosen up your muscles.
Place your foot correctly.
Proper foot placement is critical in executing a successful heelflip. Make sure your front foot is in the middle of the board, a straight line at an angle of 90° to the board, and your back foot is on the tail, hanging slightly off the edge.
Master Ollie First
Before learning the heelflip, you should have some essential skateboarding experience. Make sure you can ride comfortably and confidently, turn, and ollie. If you don’t know how to ollie, learn it first, master it, and then attempt other tricks.
The heelflip combines a kick and a flick with your back foot. Knowing how to Kickflip would be an added advantage. If you don’t know Kickflip, no worries. But at least ensure you understand the trick’s mechanics before attempting heelflip. Watch tutorial videos or ask more experienced skateboarders for advice and tips.
How to Heelflip: Step-by-step Guide
Heelflip can be performed while rolling or stationary, and it can be done on flat ground or over obstacles. So, once you are ready to skate with the proper equipment and know how to roll, let’s try the heelflip. Here are the steps to perform the heelflip:
- To perform the heelflip, your front foot should be positioned in the middle of the skateboard, perpendicular to the board. Your back foot should be on the tail, with your toes hanging slightly off the edge. Your back foot should be angled towards the heel side of the skateboard. Start by riding on your skateboard at a comfortable speed.
- As you approach the point where you want to perform the heelflip, crouch down and prepare to jump.
- As you jump, quickly slide your back foot diagonally towards the heel side of the skateboard. This motion will cause the board to flip 360 degrees along its length.
- When the board starts to flip, use your front foot to level out the board and keep it from flipping too much.
- As the board comes around, kick the heel side of the board with your back foot to make it spin in the opposite direction.
- When the board completes its rotation, catch it with your feet and land back on the skateboard with your knees bent.
- Roll away with style and confidence!
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not popping the tail hard enough
- Flicking the board too early or too late
- Jumping too soon or too late
- Not keeping your shoulders
- Not keeping your shoulders parallel to the board during the rotation
- Not committing fully to the trick
Tips to Help You Learn the Heelflip
Learning the heelflip takes time and practice. Here are some tips to help you:
- Start by practicing stationary heelflips before attempting the trick while rolling.
- Focus on your foot placement and ensure your back foot flicks in the right direction.
- Keep your body weight centered over the board during the trick.
- To give the board enough height to rotate, try to pop the tail with as much force as possible.
- Stay relaxed, and don’t overthink the trick. It will automatically happen with practice.
Once you have mastered the basics of heelflip, you can add your style to the trick. Here are some ways to add style to your heelflip:
- Experiment with different foot positions and see how they affect the trick.
- Add a grab to the trick, such as a melon or indy grab.
- Incorporate the heelflip into combos and lines.
Progression Drills for the Heelflip
Once you have the basics of the heelflip down, you can try some progression drills to help you improve your skills. Here are some drills to try:
- Practice heelflips over small obstacles, such as a crack in the pavement.
- Try doing heelflips while rolling slowly and gradually increase your speed.
- Add variations to your heelflip, such as a heelflip 180 or nose grab.
Conclusion
Learning the heelflip can bring many benefits to your skateboarding skills. It can improve your balance, coordination, and timing. It can also increase your confidence and give you a sense of accomplishment. Additionally, once you master the heelflip, it can open up a whole new world of tricks and combos.
