What is the Hardest Trick in Skateboarding?
Skateboarding is a sport where pushing boundaries is the name of the game. Watching skaters pull off gravity-defying tricks leaves many of us in awe, wondering: How do they do that? Some tricks are notoriously harder than others, requiring a mix of athleticism, creativity, and countless hours of practice. But what really is the hardest trick in skateboarding? Is it the one with the most spins? The highest jump? Or perhaps the trick that demands the most precision?
Let’s dive deep into the world of skateboarding and explore the tricks that skaters, both professionals and amateurs, often rank as the most difficult.
What Defines a Hard Skateboard Trick?
Complexity of the Technique
A trick’s difficulty can be measured by its technicality—how many movements and mechanics it involves. Tricks that combine flips, spins, and grinds simultaneously are often ranked higher in difficulty. The more moving parts a trick has, the more precision it requires.
Physical and Mental Demands
Skateboarding isn’t just about physical prowess; it requires mental strength as well. Tricks that involve high speeds, big gaps, or extreme spins push the limits of fear and focus. One wrong move can lead to a fall, which means these tricks test both the body and the mind.
Famous Skaters on the Hardest Tricks
Insights from Tony Hawk, Rodney Mullen, and Other Legends
Skateboarding legends like Tony Hawk and Rodney Mullen have performed some of the most iconic tricks in history, but even they admit some tricks are particularly daunting. Tony Hawk famously landed the 900, a trick involving two-and-a-half rotations, after numerous failed attempts, marking it as one of the most difficult tricks ever.
The Darkslide
What is a Darkslide?
A Darkslide involves sliding on the grip tape side of your board while balancing upside-down. It’s one of the most visually impressive tricks because it defies what most skaters think a skateboard can do.
Why It’s So Difficult to Master
Balancing on the grip tape side is already tricky due to the rough surface. But flipping into and out of the slide while maintaining speed makes it even more challenging. Many skaters take years to land a proper Darkslide.
The 900
A Breakthrough in Skateboarding History
Tony Hawk made history in 1999 by landing the 900 at the X Games. This trick involves spinning the board and the body two-and-a-half times in mid-air, making it one of the most technically difficult tricks ever performed.
Tony Hawk’s Experience with the 900
Hawk attempted the 900 several times over a decade before finally landing it. The sheer amount of rotational force combined with the need for perfect balance makes the 900 one of the hardest tricks ever.
The Gazelle Flip
Breaking Down the Gazelle Flip
The Gazelle Flip combines a 360-degree body spin with a 540-degree board flip. Imagine trying to keep your balance while the board is flipping and spinning underneath you—it’s a coordination nightmare.
Coordination, Precision, and Practice Required
This trick requires intense muscle memory and timing. Without both, you’ll likely lose control of the board mid-flip, which can result in painful falls.
Laser Flip
Why the Laser Flip Pushes the Limits of Skating
The Laser Flip is a beast of a trick, combining a frontside 360-degree spin with a heelflip. It’s tough because both parts of the trick need to be perfectly synchronized.
Mastering the Board’s Rotation and Flip
To land a Laser Flip, skaters must kick the board with precise timing while managing a full body rotation. The challenge lies in making sure both the flip and spin are complete before landing.
The Hardflip
Explaining the Mechanics of a Hardflip
The Hardflip blends a frontside shove-it with a kickflip. The board flips vertically beneath the skater, making it one of the most visually striking tricks.
Combining the Flip and Spin in One Trick
The challenge here is managing both the vertical flip and the spin. Many skaters struggle to get enough air while maintaining balance, which is crucial for landing this trick cleanly.
The 360 Flip (Tre Flip)
Why This Trick is Iconic Yet Challenging
The 360 Flip, also known as the Tre Flip, combines a 360-degree board spin with a kickflip. It’s not only iconic but notoriously difficult due to the coordination required between the spin and the flip.
How Pros Make It Look Effortless
Experienced skaters like Paul Rodriguez or Andrew Reynolds make this trick look simple, but for beginners, the challenge is in keeping control of the board as it spins and flips simultaneously.
Pressure Flip
How This Trick Works
The Pressure Flip involves no kick—just a push from the back foot to flip the board. It’s tricky because you rely entirely on foot pressure rather than the pop of the tail to initiate the flip.
Why Many Skaters Find It Tough
This trick defies the typical mechanics of a flip, confusing many skaters who are used to using their front foot for control.
Varial Heelflip
How This Variation Raises the Bar
The Varial Heelflip mixes a heelflip with a frontside shove-it, adding extra complexity to the trick. It’s particularly difficult to execute because of the need for precision foot placement.
Foot Placement and Body Control
Without proper foot positioning, the board won’t flip or spin correctly, leading to failed attempts. It’s a balancing act, making sure the heelflip and shove-it complement each other perfectly.
The Ollie Impossible
What Makes It Feel “Impossible”?
As the name suggests, the Ollie Impossible feels, well, impossible. The trick involves wrapping the board around the back foot in mid-air, requiring perfect timing and control.
Step-by-Step Execution and Difficulty Factors
This trick pushes the limits of control, as the skater must lift the board high enough and create enough momentum for it to wrap around the foot before landing.
Bigspin Kickflip
Breaking Down the Multiple Spins
The Bigspin Kickflip combines a 360-degree shove-it with a kickflip. The challenge is managing the double spin while keeping the board close to your feet.
Footwork and Timing Challenges
This trick requires lightning-fast reflexes and impeccable foot coordination. Without them, the board spins out of control, leading to messy landings.
Factors that Contribute to Trick Difficulty
Precision and Timing
Each of the hardest skateboard tricks requires perfect timing. Even a split-second delay can ruin a trick, causing skaters to lose control mid-air.
The Physical Demands of Skateboarding Tricks
Skateboarding is physically demanding. Hard tricks often require incredible leg strength and flexibility. Overcoming the physical strain is just as crucial as mastering the technique.