Skateboard tricks can be generally be classified into 3 different levels:
- Beginner.
- Intermediate.
- Highly advanced.
Some tricks are easy for new skaters to learn, while others should be left to the professionals.
If you’ve progressed beyond beginner and intermediate, it might be time for you to venture into some of the advanced tricks.
What Makes Some Tricks Harder than Others?
More advanced tricks usually involve a string of different maneuvers or movements, many times combining two or more basic tricks.
They require great body and mind coordination and timing (as well as practice and patience) to learn and improve.
They can also put you at a higher risk of getting injured than lower-level tricks because of their complexity.
Hard tricks are best attempted once you’ve built a good foundation and are confident in your ability to balance, control your board, and bail safely.
This will enable you to be more focused on figuring out the subtle movements necessary to land complex tricks.
The Hardest Skateboard Tricks
While the hardness of tricks is subjective, there are five that are widely agreed upon to be at the top of the list in terms of difficulty.
Here are 5 of the hardest skateboard tricks and how they’re done.
Tre Flip (aka 360 Flip)
The Tre Flip is essentially the opposite of the front shuvit—a trick where you scoop your board forward.
The 360 flip combines a kickflip with a back shuvit.
To perform it, step your front foot at a slight angle on the middle of the deck, roll forward like you’re setting up for a laser flip, and flick the tail backward once you gain enough momentum to do so.
Stay up high in the air above the board while your deck completes a full turn. Land on the board with both of your feet.
Laser Flip
The laser flip is known as the hardest trick to land on flat ground.
To complete this very technical move, you’ll combine a 360 shuv and a varial heelflip.
It’s tricky because you’ll need to apply enough force to both pop the board up and jump high enough to allow time for the board to complete the flip.
To complete it, start rolling on your skateboard and perform a 360 shuvit once you get enough momentum. Simultaneously rotate the deck with your heel to do a varial heel flip.
This should send your board to complete the 360-degree flip.
Land both of your feet on the board to complete the trick.
Like many harder tricks, the best way to practice is by breaking it down and repeating each step separately.
Hardflip
The hardflip is another one of the hardest tricks, only second to the laser flip. This trick requires high technicality as well as it entails completing a frontside shuv and kickflip in tandem.
To try it out, start with your front foot in the middle of your board, positioned at a diagonal angle (to set it up for a kickflip).
Place your back foot in the middle of the deck’s tail, using the ball of the foot to apply pressure to the heel side.
Pop the board hard so it lifts up vertically enough to allow you to do a kickflip by flicking your front foot.
Backside Tailside
This advanced trick is performed on a rail or ledge.
The best rails for the trick are flat, like a handrail over stairs, a block on the ground with waxed edges, or some kind of ledge on top of stairs.
This trick is harder to land because you are approaching an obstacle with your back to it.
To try it out, ride towards your obstacle with your back facing it, pop your board, and turn your shoulders slightly so your board turns at a 90-degree angle. Slide the tail of your board on the obstacle.
Impossible
Though this trick has an intimidating name, it’s not really impossible. A very hard trick, that’s for sure.
The key to this trick is the proper placement of your back foot.
To attempt this trick, step your front foot near the deck’s front bolts, turned at an angle, and your back foot in the pocket on your toe-side.
Perform an ollie, but scoop your board using your back foot while pushing forward to get your board at a vertical angle, spinning 360 degrees.
This maneuver looks similar to a 360 shuv, but differs because the board will spin vertically rather than horizontally.