Have you ever watched a skateboarder perform a hardflip with such ease and wondered how you could achieve the same? You’re not alone, and this guide is here to help you master that elusive trick. Perform a hardflip on a skateboard, and you’ll surely capture the attention of fellow skaters at the park. But the journey to nail this trick is as important as landing it. So, let’s go through each step of the process, breaking it down to make it attainable and within your grasp.
Understanding the Basics of a Hardflip
A hardflip is a complex trick that combines a kickflip and a frontside shove-it. By practicing these basic elements separately, you’ll build the foundation necessary to execute a hardflip. Understanding these individual components will make it easier to piece together the entire move.
What is a Kickflip?
A kickflip involves flicking the edge of the skateboard while popping it into the air, causing the board to spin underneath you before landing back on it. It’s one of the fundamental tricks you should practice consistently to enhance your board control and balance. Make sure you’re comfortable landing a kickflip, as this experience will greatly assist when you attempt a hardflip.
What is a Frontside Shove-it?
The frontside shove-it is where you make your skateboard spin around 180 degrees beneath you without it flipping over. This trick helps you understand the board’s movement and timing, which are crucial for executing a hardflip. Put effort into mastering a frontside shove-it; the wrist movement and timing are key to the complex interaction in a hardflip.
Setting Up: Gear and Mindset
Before you start practicing a hardflip, ensuring you have the right setup and mindset is crucial. Having the appropriate gear and mental preparedness will make your practice sessions more productive and safer.
Choosing the Right Skateboard
Choose a skateboard that suits your style and comfort. Having a board with a well-gripped deck that fits your shoe size will help you control your flips better. A medium-sized deck (around 8 inches) is often recommended for such tricks, as it offers a good balance of flip potential and stability.
Essential Safety Gear
Practicing tricks comes with the risk of falling. Ensuring you have the appropriate safety gear can significantly reduce the risk of injury. Invest in a good quality helmet, knee and elbow pads, and wrist guards. By minimizing your exposure to injury, you will be able to practice regularly with confidence and comfort.
Developing a Fearless Mindset
Skateboarding, particularly learning new tricks, requires overcoming fear. Many tricks, hardflips included, may feel scary at first. Understand that falling is part of the learning process and confidence increases as you practice. Visualize yourself executing a hardflip successfully and embrace the trial-and-error process as an opportunity to learn and improve.
Step-by-Step Guide to Performing a Hardflip
Let’s break down the hardflip into detailed steps, making it easier to understand and execute. Following these steps will guide you through the process methodically.
Step 1: Foot Placement
Proper foot placement sets a strong foundation for a successful hardflip. Place your back foot as you would for a regular frontside shove-it, at the tail of the board. Your front foot should rest diagonally across the deck, with the ball of your foot positioned near the center of the board and your toes slightly angled towards the nose. This setup will help you effectively kick the board while maintaining control.
Step 2: The Pop and Scoop
The pop and scoop are simultaneous movements that initiate the hardflip. Use your back foot to pop the tail of the skateboard on the ground as you scoop it forward in a frontside direction. Make sure your scooping motion is forceful yet controlled; this action helps create the 180-degree rotation needed. Simultaneously, jump upward, allowing the board to spin beneath you.
Step 3: The Flick
As your back foot pops and scoops, your front foot must perform the crucial flick. Drag your front foot towards the skateboard’s nose, applying pressure to the edge, causing it to flip. Imagine flicking just off the concave near the bolts to ensure a clean spin. The timing of your flicking foot is vital—it must coincide with the pop and scoop to maintain the trick’s flow.
Step 4: Keeping Your Eyes on the Board
Once your foot executes the flick, focus your gaze on the board. Tracking your board’s motion helps you anticipate its landing position. Keep your body parallel to the ground, absorbing its trajectory, and aligning your feet to catch the skateboard as it completes its flip and shove-it.
Step 5: Landing
As the skateboard completes its flip and rotation, prepare both feet to catch the board firmly. Bend your knees slightly to absorb the impact, maintaining a centered balance over your feet. Focus on an even distribution of your weight across both legs, as proper alignment minimizes harsh landings and increases landing stability. Landing a trick cleanly elevates its execution, marking the difference between a successful and impeccable hardflip.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Every skater faces obstacles while mastering a trick, but knowing how to address these common problems can speed up your progress.
Incomplete Rotation or Flip
Sometimes, the board may not finish its intended rotation or flip entirely. This typically arises from insufficient scooping or flicking force. Intensify your back foot’s pop and scoop, and ensure your front foot follows through with a definitive flick. Combining these actions with heightened commitment can improve execution.
Board Drifts Away
If your skateboard is drifting away from you after flicking, check your body alignment. Lean forward or backward to compensate for any imbalance, keeping your shoulders parallel with the skateboard’s centerline. Positioning yourself naturally above the board prevents erratic movements.
Missed Flick
Missing the flick is an obstacle many face when they start practicing hardflips. Ensure your front foot is in correct placement and angle; sometimes, adjusting the inclination can enhance flick accuracy. Additionally, practice deliberate flicking without rushing, synchronizing it perfectly with the rest of the trick.
Uneven Landings
Unstable or uneven landings often occur from improper foot catch or body weight distribution. Concentrate on simultaneous foot placement during landing and maintain a strong core; a balanced body mass center greatly enhances landing proficiency.
Tips for Improvement
Enhancing your hardflip requires practical advice and dedication. These tips can guide your progression, enhancing skillful execution over time.
Practice Regularly
Consistent practice is critical—allocating regular time will help muscle memory develop, quickening progression. Frequent sessions refine board feel and improve mental preparation, both essential for any trick’s mastery.
Film Your Attempts
Recording your attempts can provide a visual aid, enabling precise identification of errors and successful elements. Analyze your footage to adjust your techniques constructively, and compare with tutorials or pro skater videos for correction cues.
Experiment with Setup
Minor skateboard setup adjustments can affect your performance. Experiment with trucks, deck concave, or wheel hardness until you discover which changes improve control and comfort. Personalized configurations can impact your handling and responsiveness positively.
Seek Feedback
Engage with fellow skaters for feedback and advice; they can offer invaluable insights from their own experiences. Other skateboarders may spot nuances in your technique, and their encouragement can be motivating.
Embracing the Journey and Celebrating Success
While learning a hardflip, remember the importance of appreciating every small success. Each improvement, regardless of complexity, is a testament to your dedication and perseverance.
Overcoming Setbacks
Setbacks are an integral part of your development. Viewing them as opportunities rather than failures will keep you motivated and driven. Adjust your techniques based on experiences and observe pitfalls as guidance towards your ultimate goal.
Celebrating Milestones
Celebrate every milestone, no matter how trivial it may seem. Successfully scooping the board, executing a full rotation, or even improving flick consistency signifies progress. These achievements fuel further determination, encouraging you to practice even more.
Each skater’s path to landing a hardflip is personally unique. Embrace your journey with enthusiasm, dedication, and patience, holding onto the motivation of the thrill that a perfectly executed hardflip brings. Continue to challenge yourself, explore different tricks, and immerse yourself in skateboarding’s endless learning possibilities.
With diligent practice and relentless positivity, the hardflip will transform from a seemingly unattainable trick into a realm of masterful proficiency. Keep skating, keep pushing, and you’ll soon find your hardflip looking as effortless as those pros you once admired. Enjoy every moment on your skateboard—each experience brings you closer to owning that incredible hardflip.