Skateboard Tricks Explained: Ollie, Kickflip, Grind

Tap a trick to see how it works.

Ollie

Popping the board into the air by snapping the tail down with the foot, with no hands involved — the foundation nearly every other trick builds on.

Kickflip

While doing an ollie, flicking the side of the board with the toe to make it spin one full rotation along its long axis.

Heelflip

The opposite of a kickflip — flicking the board with the heel to spin it the opposite direction.

Pop Shove-It

A trick where the board spins 180 degrees horizontally without flipping over.

50-50 Grind

A grind-family trick where both the front and back trucks slide along a rail or ledge at the same time.

Boardslide

A slide-family trick where the underside of the board slides perpendicular across a rail or ledge.

Manual

Balancing while riding on just the front or back wheels for a stretch of distance — similar to a bike wheelie.

Drop-In

The entry move of starting to ride by placing the board down onto the surface from the highest point of a ramp or halfpipe.

360 Flip (Tre Flip)

A high-difficulty combo trick where the board spins 360 degrees horizontally while also flipping vertically like a kickflip, at the same time.

Every Trick Starts With the Ollie

Nearly every jump trick in skateboarding builds on the "ollie" — popping the board up without using your hands. Mastering the ollie first makes learning follow-up tricks like the kickflip or pop shove-it much easier.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is safety gear essential when first learning to skateboard?

Yes — a helmet, wrist guards, and knee pads significantly reduce injury from falls and are especially worth wearing as a beginner.

How is a kickflip different from a heelflip?

A kickflip spins the board using the toe, while a heelflip spins it the opposite direction using the heel.