How to Kickback (Underflip)

The kickback is a very unique freestyle trick. The board flips about a quarter backward, then you catch it and flip it about one and a quarter forward. It’s kind of a weird one, but it’s worth learning. Maybe you’ll be the one to figure out how to take it to the streets.

Foot position

• Front foot: over the bolts, with some toe hanging off.
• Back foot: with your toe right on the edge, ready to pop down.

Some people do it with their front foot instead. It’s personal preference.

How to do it

1. Start to pop down on the side of the board.
2. Keep your toe really close to the board the whole time.
3. When the board has flipped about a quarter backward, catch your toe right on the edge.
4. Flick it forward with your ankle.
5. Let it flip around and land on it.

Troubleshooting

The board flies behind you

Don’t use your whole foot, and don’t kick forward. Flick it with your ankle. If you kick, the board starts to flip and then flies behind you. The flip is actually pretty subtle. You just catch it and toss it forward.

You can’t get the flip

There are two ways to practice it:

• Quarter flip each way. Pop it a quarter back and catch it a quarter forward, without the full flip.
• Stand next to the board and practice flipping it.

Once you understand how the trick works, start trying the real thing.

Taking it further

It’s probably best to learn these stationary at first. Eventually you can take them rolling and start doing varials with them.

What’s next

The shove it underflip uses the same back foot underflip with a shove it. For more freestyle, try the toeflip.