difterm.com The frontside flip in skateboarding involves a kickflip combined with a frontside pop shove-it, rotating the board toward the rider's front side, making it feel more natural for many skaters. In contrast, the backside flip combines a kickflip with a backside pop shove-it, rotating the board away from the rider's front side, often requiring more precise timing and commitment. Mastering both tricks builds versatility, improves board control, and enhances overall technical skill on the skateboard.
Table of Comparison
| Feature | Frontside Flip | Backside Flip |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Ollie with a frontside 180 and kickflip | Ollie with a backside 180 and kickflip |
| Rotation Direction | Frontside (counter-clockwise for regular stance) | Backside (clockwise for regular stance) |
| Difficulty | Moderate; requires frontside body rotation and flick timing | High; demands backside rotation control and precise flick |
| Common Uses | Technical flip tricks in street skating | Advanced combos and style variation |
| Body Position | Front shoulder leads rotation; eyes on landing | Back shoulder leads rotation; requires spotting the board |
| Typical Stance | Regular or goofy; frontside rotation toward nose | Regular or goofy; backside rotation toward tail |
Frontside Flip vs Backside Flip: Defining the Tricks
The frontside flip in skateboarding involves rotating the board and body frontside while executing a kickflip, creating a smooth combination of spin and flip that appears more natural for many riders. The backside flip requires the skater to rotate their body and board backside while performing the kickflip, demanding greater control and precision due to the altered orientation and balance. Both tricks challenge skateboarders to master timing, foot placement, and body rotation, but the frontside flip tends to feel more intuitive for those comfortable with frontside spins, whereas the backside flip offers a stylistic challenge emphasizing commitment to body mechanics.
Key Differences Between Frontside and Backside Flips
Frontside flips involve the skateboarder rotating the board and their body 180 degrees towards the front side, resulting in a spin where the front of the body faces the direction of rotation. Backside flips feature a rotation where the skater and board turn 180 degrees with the back of the body leading the spin, requiring different foot positioning and body mechanics. The key differences lie in the direction of rotation, foot placement on the skateboard, and the visual orientation of the trick's execution.
History and Origins of Frontside and Backside Flips
Frontside flip and backside flip in skateboarding originated in the 1980s, evolving from the foundational 180-degree spin tricks developed during the skateboarding boom of the late 1970s. The frontside flip combines a kickflip with a frontside 180, while the backside flip incorporates a backside 180 spin and kickflip, reflecting distinct rotational directions influenced by early skateboarders' preference for either toe or heel edge takeoffs. Legendary skaters like Rodney Mullen were instrumental in inventing and popularizing these variations, setting the stage for their widespread adoption in street and vert skateboarding disciplines.
Technique Breakdown: Frontside Flip
The frontside flip in skateboarding combines a frontside pop shove-it with a kickflip, requiring precise foot placement and flick technique for a clean rotation. The front foot flicks the nose of the board outward diagonally while the back foot scoops the tail forward and around, generating both spin and flip motions simultaneously. Mastery of weight distribution and timing ensures the board completes the 360-degree frontside spin and kickflip before landing occurs.
Technique Breakdown: Backside Flip
The backside flip in skateboarding combines a backside pop shove-it with a kickflip, requiring precise foot positioning and timing. The back foot scoops the board in a 180-degree backside rotation while the front foot flicks off the heel side to initiate the kickflip. Mastering the balance between the scoop and the flick is essential for landing a clean backside flip with controlled rotation and flip speed.
Common Challenges with Frontside and Backside Flips
Frontside flips often challenge skaters with their natural body rotation, causing board control issues and incomplete flips. In contrast, backside flips pose difficulties in timing and foot placement due to the less intuitive body movement direction, leading to under-rotated boards. Both tricks require precise flick technique and commitment to overcome balance and coordination hurdles common in advanced skateboarding maneuvers.
Pros and Cons: Frontside Flip vs Backside Flip
Frontside flips offer a natural rotation for regular-footed skaters, creating smoother foot placement and easier spotting during the trick. However, they require precise timing and can feel less intuitive for beginners compared to backside flips, which provide better control and balance due to the body facing the obstacle throughout the trick. Despite this, backside flips often demand greater commitment and can be harder to master on larger obstacles or ramps.
Tips for Improving Your Frontside and Backside Flips
Mastering frontside and backside flips requires precise foot placement and consistent practice of the flick motion to achieve smooth rotation. Focus on timing your pop with the back foot while guiding the board with the front toes to maintain control during each flip. Recording your attempts and analyzing slow-motion footage helps identify subtle errors, accelerating improvement in both flip variations.
Notable Skaters Famous for Frontside and Backside Flips
Notable skaters famous for frontside flips include Paul Rodriguez and Nyjah Huston, whose technical precision and style have defined modern street skating. On the other hand, backside flips are famously executed by skaters like Eric Koston and Rodney Mullen, pioneers who helped popularize the trick through innovative footage and competitions. The distinct approach and aesthetics of these skaters highlight the technical challenges and stylistic nuances between frontside and backside flip variations.
Which Trick Should You Learn First: Frontside or Backside Flip?
Mastering the backside flip first is often recommended due to its more natural body rotation and easier foot placement, making it ideal for beginners progressing from ollies and kickflips. Frontside flips require a more controlled flick and body twist, demanding advanced coordination and timing. Choosing the backside flip can accelerate skill development by building confidence in flip trick dynamics before tackling the more complex frontside variations.
frontside flip vs backside flip (skateboarding) Infographic
