Learning how to kickflip on a Tech Deck is the next big step after your ollie. This guide shows you the exact finger placement, the flick that spins the board, and the catch that lands it clean. You will learn the kickflip in seven simple steps, fix the four mistakes that stop most beginners, and follow a 10 minute practice drill that builds the trick fast.
You landed your ollie. Now the board just goes up and down. That gets boring fast. The kickflip changes everything. It is the first flip trick most fingerboarders learn, and it turns a plain jump into a spinning trick that looks amazing even on a table.
Learning how to kickflip on a Tech Deck takes the same pop and slide you already know, then adds one flick of your index finger. That flick is the whole trick. Get it right and the board spins once under your fingers and lands back on its wheels.
Here is the thing. Most beginners fail the kickflip for the same four reasons, and every one of them is easy to fix. This guide walks you through the finger placement, the flick, the catch, and a daily drill.
What Is a Kickflip on a Tech Deck?
A kickflip is an ollie with a flick. You pop the tail, slide your index finger forward, then flick it off the side of the board. That flick spins the board once, and you catch it with both fingers as it comes back around.
The trick needs an ollie you can land five times in a row. Think about it this way. An ollie is a jump. A kickflip is a jump with a spin.
What Do You Need Before You Learn a Kickflip?
You need a clean ollie, a Tech Deck in good shape, and a flat table. If you can land five ollies in a row, you are ready.
- A consistent ollie you can land five times in a row. The kickflip starts with the same pop and slide, so a weak ollie gives you a weak kickflip.
- A Tech Deck with fresh grip tape and free spinning wheels. Your index finger has to flick off the grip, and worn grip makes the flick slip.
If your ollie is not ready yet, work through our How to Ollie on a Tech Deck guide first.
Where Do Your Fingers Go for a Kickflip?
Your fingers sit almost like an ollie, with one change. Your index finger sits closer to the edge, ready to flick.
Step 1: Put Your Middle Finger on the Tail
Place your middle finger on the tail, near the centre. It presses down sharply to lift the nose.
Step 2: Put Your Index Finger Near the Edge
Place your index finger just behind the front bolts, near the heel side edge. In a kickflip, it slides forward and off the edge, and that sideways push spins the board.
Step 3: Keep Your Hand Low and Relaxed
Both fingers should be slightly curved, not stiff. Keep your hand low and your wrist loose.
How to Kickflip on a Tech Deck: Step by Step
Here is a simple 7-step process to land your first kickflip. Each step builds on the last one, so practise them in order. Take your time with the pop and the flick, because rushing either one ruins the spin.
Step 1: Roll Forward Slowly
Start rolling at a slow, steady speed. Settle both fingers into position.
Step 2: Pop the Tail Down Hard
Press down sharply with your middle finger. The tail should hit the table with a clear tap.
Tip: think snap, not push. Your middle finger presses down and comes straight back up with the board.
Step 3: Slide Your Index Finger Forward
As the nose rises, slide your index finger toward the nose, just like an ollie. Do not flick yet.
Step 4: Flick Off the Edge
As your index finger reaches the front bolts, flick it sideways off the heel side edge. Use a quick, small flick.
Step 5: Lift Your Hand With the Board
Let your hand rise as the board spins. Keep both fingers above the board, ready to catch.
Step 6: Catch the Board With Both Fingers
As the board comes around, place both fingers back over the bolts and stop the spin.
Step 7: Land on All Four Wheels
Let all four wheels touch at the same time. Bend your fingers a little, then roll forward.
What Are the Most Common Kickflip Mistakes?
Most kickflips fail for four reasons. The flick is too big, the flick is too early, the hand pulls away, or the ollie underneath is weak.
1. You Flick Too Hard and the Board Flies Away
The problem: a big flick sends the board sideways off the table.
The fix: use a smaller flick. Flick with your fingertip only.
2. You Flick Too Early and the Board Does Not Spin
The problem: the board leaves the ground before the flick starts.
The fix: pop first, slide second, flick third.
3. You Pull Your Hand Away and Cannot Catch the Board
The problem: your hand rises too high and the board spins below it.
The fix: keep your hand low and close to the board.
4. Your Ollie Is Weak, So the Kickflip Never Gets Height
The problem: the board barely leaves the table, so there is no time to spin.
The fix: go back to the ollie for a week. Pop harder and land five in a row.
How Can You Practise a Kickflip in 10 Minutes a Day?
Ten focused minutes a day will get you a kickflip in one to three weeks. Do this drill once a day and count your clean landings. Short daily practice builds the flick faster than one long session a week.
Minutes 0 to 2: Warm-up ollies. Do five clean ollies to wake up your fingers.
Minutes 2 to 6: Slow kickflips. Try slow kickflips with a small flick. Aim for one full spin.
Minutes 6 to 8: Catch practice. When you see the grip come around, put both fingers down.
Minutes 8 to 10: Full kickflips. Put it all together. Finish with three clean kickflips.
From real use, most riders land their first kickflip on day 4 or 5 of this drill.
What Should You Learn After the Kickflip?
Learn the heelflip next, then the varial kickflip. Each trick below uses the kickflip as its base, so your work here pays off fast. Pick the next trick that matches the skill you want to build.
- How to 50-50 Grind on a Tech Deck. Learn the grind next, it teaches the landing accuracy your flip tricks need.
- Best Tech Deck to Buy in 2026. A Performance Series board pops better for flip tricks.
- Tech Deck Tricks: The Complete List. See the full order from beginner to pro.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the questions beginners ask most about the kickflip. Each answer is short and direct, so you can find your fix fast. If your question is not here, the fix is probably in the mistakes section above.
How long does it take to learn to kickflip on a Tech Deck?
Most riders land their first kickflip in one to three weeks with ten minutes a day. The flick is the hard part, and it clicks after a few days. If your ollie is clean, you will learn faster. Fix a weak ollie first.
Why does my Tech Deck flip twice instead of once?
You are flicking too hard. A big flick spins the board twice before you can catch it. Use a smaller flick from your fingertip only, and keep your hand close. Catch the board as soon as you see the grip tape come around once.
Should I learn the kickflip or the heelflip first?
Learn the kickflip first. It uses the same flick motion as your ollie slide, so it feels natural once your ollie is clean. The heelflip flicks the other way, and it feels strange until your kickflip is solid. Master one flip direction first, then learn the other.
What is the easiest way to learn how to kickflip on a Tech Deck?
Start with a clean ollie, then add the flick one piece at a time. Practise the pop and slide first, then add a small flick, then work on the catch. Break the trick into three parts and fix one part each day. Slow practice beats fast tries.
Why does my kickflip keep landing upside down?
Your catch is too late. The board spins once, then keeps spinning because your fingers never stop it. Watch the grip tape and put both fingers down the moment you see it come around. If you catch late every time, slow the flick down.
Do I need a special board to kickflip on a Tech Deck?
No. Any standard Tech Deck in good shape works for a kickflip. What matters is fresh grip tape and wheels that spin freely. A real wood Performance Series board pops a little better, but it will not fix a bad flick. Learn on the board you have.
How do I stop my Tech Deck from flying off the table when I kickflip?
Flick smaller and keep your hand over the board. A big flick throws the board sideways, and a hand that pulls away cannot catch it. Stay low, flick with your fingertip only, and catch the board as soon as it spins once.
Can I learn to kickflip on a Tech Deck without a skatepark?
Yes. A kickflip needs only a flat table, and most riders learn it at home. You do not need a ramp or a rail for this trick. A desk or a kitchen table gives you all the space you need.
Advantages and Disadvantages of the Kickflip
The kickflip is the most popular flip trick, but it is not easy for everyone. Here is an honest look at both sides before you start. Knowing both sides helps you practise with the right expectations.
Advantages
- It opens the door to every flip trick. Once you can kickflip, heelflips, varial flips and 360 flips all use the same flick, so your next tricks come much faster.
- It looks impressive for the effort. A clean kickflip is one of the most satisfying tricks to land, and it makes your lines look far more advanced than an ollie alone.
- You can practise it anywhere. A kickflip needs only a flat table, so you can drill it at home without a skatepark or any extra gear.
Disadvantages
- It is hard on beginners. The flick timing is tricky, and most riders need one to three weeks of daily practice before they land it cleanly.
- A weak ollie ruins it. If your ollie is low or sloppy, the kickflip has no height or time to spin, so you must fix the ollie first.
- The board flies away a lot. A flick that is too big sends the board off the table, which is frustrating and can damage the board on hard floors.
Conclusion
So, in this article, we covered how to kickflip on a Tech Deck in detail. You learned the finger placement, the seven step process, the flick that spins the board, and the catch that lands it flat. You also learned the four mistakes that stop most beginners and a 10 minute drill that builds the trick day by day.
Here is my honest advice. Do not rush the flick. Spend one week on slow, small kickflips with a clean catch, and the speed will come on its own. Your ollie is the base, the flick is the spice, and the catch is the finish. Now go practise your kickflip for ten minutes, then read our How to 50-50 Grind on a Tech Deck guide to add a grind to your tricks.
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