Skateboarding Made Simple · Chapter 20 of 23
A varial kickflip mixes a pop shove-it and a kickflip. The board spins 180 degrees while it flips, and it looks amazing when it is clean.
In This Chapter
- The scoop
- The flick
- Timing them together
- Catching it
Gear Check
Board, durable skate shoes, and a solid kickflip and pop shove-it.
Step by Step
- Back foot. In the toe-side pocket of the tail, ready to scoop like a pop shove-it.
- Front foot. Kickflip position: just behind the front bolts, angled about 45 degrees.
- Pop and scoop. Snap the tail and scoop it back behind you.
- Flick. At the same time, flick off the heel-side corner of the nose with your front foot.
- Jump. Jump straight up and let the board spin and flip under you.
- Catch. Catch it with your feet and land over the bolts.
Tip
Think pop shove-it first, then add a light flick. Most varials need less flick than a regular kickflip.
Remember
Get your pop shove-it and kickflip consistent before trying this one.
Warning
A spinning, flipping board can hit your shins. Practice in an open space and wear long pants.
Common Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)
- Board only shove-its. Add a flick off the heel-side corner of the nose.
- Board flips but does not spin. Scoop harder behind you with your back foot.
- Landing behind the board. Jump straight up, not backward.
Skate Nerd Stuff
Do the same thing with a heelflip and a frontside shove-it and you get a varial heelflip.
Your Practice Plan
- Warm up with pop shove-its and kickflips.
- Varials standing still on grass.
- Varials rolling slowly.
Need gear or a hand dialing it in? Stop by the shop inside the Carson City Mall or shop decks online.