Skateboarding has become a thrilling and captivating sport, with riders constantly pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved on a board. Among the impressive tricks that have gained popularity are the skateboard hardflip and inward heel. But what exactly are the fundamentals of these tricks? In order to execute a perfect hardflip or inward heel, balance, timing, and precise foot placement are crucial. This article will delve into the key techniques and tips for mastering these tricks, allowing you to elevate your skateboarding skills and impress everyone at the skatepark. So, grab your board and let’s dive into the fundamentals of skateboard hardflips and inward heels.
Fundamentals of Skateboard Hardflips
Definition
Skateboard hardflips are a popular trick in the world of skateboarding. A hardflip is a combination of a kickflip and a frontside pop shove-it. The board spins horizontally along its length axis while simultaneously flipping under the skater’s feet. In simple terms, it involves flicking the board with your front foot and simultaneously popping the skateboard with your back foot to initiate the spin.
Foot Placement
Proper foot placement is crucial for executing a perfect hardflip. Start by positioning your back foot on the tail as you would for an ollie. Your front foot should be positioned diagonally with your toes angled slightly towards the front heel edge of the skateboard. By placing your front foot in this way, you’ll have better control over the flicking motion.
Pop and Flick
The pop and flick are essential components of a hardflip. To initiate the trick, pop the tail of the skateboard with your back foot while simultaneously flicking the edge of the board with your front foot. For the pop, focus on applying an upward force to the tail, using the ball of your back foot. As you pop, quickly slide your front foot off the edge of the board, applying a flicking motion towards the front diagonal direction.
Body Position
Maintaining the right body position is crucial for executing a smooth hardflip. Keep your shoulders parallel to the skateboard and your weight evenly distributed over both feet. In order to maintain balance and control during the trick, try to keep your body centered over the board as much as possible. This will help you to maintain stability and increase your chances of landing the hardflip successfully.
Catch and Flip
As the skateboard starts to flip and rotate, it’s important to be ready to catch and control the board’s movement. Keep your eyes focused on the board and prepare to catch it with your back foot once it completes its rotation. Simultaneously, use your front foot to guide the board and ensure that it flips completely while avoiding any unwanted underflips. Practice the timing and coordination required to catch the rotation and flip of the board consistently.
Landing
Landing a hardflip successfully requires precision and control. As the board completes its flip and rotation, prepare yourself to land with your knees slightly bent to absorb the impact. Focus on keeping your weight centered and your body stable throughout the landing process. As the board comes back under your feet, aim to land with both feet simultaneously and maintain a balanced position.
Common Mistakes
When learning hardflips, it’s common to encounter a few challenges along the way. One of the most common mistakes is under-rotating the board, which often results in the skateboard not completing a full rotation or a clean flip. Another common mistake is over-flicking, which can cause the board to rotate too quickly, making it difficult to control. Additionally, many skaters struggle with the timing and coordination required to catch the board after the flip. Practice and patience are key to overcoming these mistakes.
Practicing and Progression
To master the hardflip, it’s essential to dedicate time to practicing the trick. Start by finding a flat surface with ample space to attempt the trick without obstacles. Begin by focusing on perfecting the foot placement, pop, and flick. Once you feel comfortable with the basic motion, gradually increase your speed and commitment to the trick. Repetition and consistency will help you progress and improve your execution of hardflips over time.
Video Tutorials
Video tutorials can be an incredibly helpful resource when learning new skateboarding tricks. They provide visual step-by-step instructions that allow you to see the trick in action and understand the subtle nuances of each movement. Search online for video tutorials on hardflips to find expert skaters demonstrating proper technique and offering valuable tips and pointers.
Famous Skaters Who Can Do Hardflips
Skateboarding is a sport filled with incredible talent, and there are numerous famous skaters who have mastered the hardflip. Some notable skaters known for their exceptional hardflip skills include Sean Malto, Chris Cole, and Leticia Bufoni. These skaters have spent years honing their craft, perfecting their technique, and pushing the boundaries of what is possible on a skateboard. Watching these skilled athletes execute hardflips can serve as both inspiration and motivation for aspiring skaters looking to improve their own trick repertoire.
Fundamentals of Skateboard Inward Heels
Definition
Skateboard inward heels, also known as inward heelflips, are another challenging trick in the world of skateboarding. The inward heel is a combination of a heelflip and a frontside pop shove-it. Similar to the hardflip, it involves flipping the board while performing a horizontal spin under the skater’s feet.
Foot Placement
The foot placement for an inward heel is similar to that of a hardflip. Start by placing your back foot on the tail, ready to pop the board as you would for an ollie. Your front foot should be positioned diagonally across the skateboard, with your toes pointed slightly towards the front heel edge. This foot placement will give you better control over the flicking motion required to execute the trick.
Pop and Flick
To execute an inward heel, you need to pop the tail of the skateboard and simultaneously flick the edge of the board with your front foot. Apply an upward force to the tail with the ball of your back foot to initiate the pop. As you pop, quickly slide your front foot off the edge of the board, flicking it inwards and towards the frontside diagonal direction.
Body Position
Maintain a stable body position throughout the trick by keeping your shoulders parallel to the skateboard and your weight evenly distributed over both feet. Just like with the hardflip, aim to center your body over the board for balance and control. This will help you maintain stability and increase your chances of landing the inward heel successfully.
Catch and Flip
As the skateboard starts its flip and rotation, be prepared to catch and control the movement of the board. Keep your eyes focused on the board and prepare to catch it with your back foot as it completes its rotation. Simultaneously, guide the board with your front foot to ensure a complete flip without any underflips. Developing the timing and coordination required to catch the rotation and flip of the board consistently will be essential for mastering inward heels.
Landing
Landing an inward heel requires precision and control. As the board completes its flip and rotation, prepare yourself to land with your knees slightly bent to absorb the impact. Keep your weight centered and maintain a stable body position throughout the landing process. Aim to land with both feet simultaneously and maintain balance as the board comes back under your feet.
Common Mistakes
When learning inward heels, there are common mistakes that many skaters encounter. One of the most common mistakes is under-rotating the board, resulting in an incomplete flip or rotation. Another common mistake is flicking the board too hard, causing it to rotate too quickly and making it difficult to control. Additionally, mastering the timing and coordination required to catch the board after the flip can pose a challenge. Consistent practice and patience will help you overcome these mistakes.
Practicing and Progression
To improve your inward heel technique, allocate dedicated practice time to the trick. Find a flat surface with enough space to attempt the trick without obstacles. Begin by focusing on perfecting your foot placement, pop, and flick. Once you feel confident with the basic motion, gradually increase your speed and commitment to the trick. Consistent practice will help you progress and refine your execution of inward heels.
Video Tutorials
Video tutorials are an invaluable resource for learning new skateboarding tricks, including inward heels. Search online for video tutorials that provide step-by-step instructions, allowing you to visually see and understand the proper technique. Expert skaters in these tutorials often share tips and tricks that can greatly aid your progress in mastering inward heels.
Famous Skaters Who Can Do Inward Heels
Skateboarding is a sport driven by incredible talent and innovation. Many famous skaters have mastered the inward heel and showcase their skills in competitions and videos. Skaters like Paul Rodriguez, Ryan Sheckler, and Nyjah Huston are known for their impressive execution of inward heels. Observing their prowess and dedication to the trick can inspire aspiring skaters to work towards improving their own inward heel abilities.
Skateboarding hardflips and inward heels are challenging tricks that require a blend of technical skill, coordination, and practice. By understanding the fundamentals outlined above and committing to consistent training, you can progress in your mastery of these impressive skateboard maneuvers. So grab your board, find a flat surface, and enjoy the journey of learning and perfecting hardflips and inward heels. Happy skateboarding!
