Hardest Skateboard Tricks: Master These Extreme Moves Today
Skateboarding has always pushed the limits of what humans can do on four wheels and a wooden plank. From empty pools in the 1970s to worldwide competitions today, skaters continue to invent and master tricks that seem to defy gravity and logic.
But what separates a basic ollie from the hardest skateboard tricks ever landed? The difference often lies in technical skill, creativity, and how much risk a skater is willing to take. Whether you’re a beginner dreaming big or a seasoned skater looking for your next challenge, understanding these complex moves is key to appreciating the art and sport of skateboarding.
What Makes A Trick “hard”?
Not all skateboard tricks are created equal. Some are difficult because of technical complexity—they require precise footwork, timing, and balance. Others are hard due to physical risk, where a small mistake can lead to serious injury. For some tricks, the challenge is in their consistency: even pros can land them only once in a hundred tries. The hardest tricks usually combine all these factors.
A trick’s difficulty also depends on where it’s performed: the same trick down a set of stairs is much harder than on flat ground. In contests like the X Games and Street League, judges look for originality and difficulty, making the hardest tricks even more valuable.
Let’s explore the skateboard tricks that have gained a reputation as some of the toughest in the world.
The Hardest Skateboard Tricks Explained
1. 360 Flip (tre Flip) Down A Set
The 360 flip—also called the tre flip—combines a kickflip and a 360 shove-it. On flat ground, it’s already tough, but doing it down a large stair set increases the difficulty. The board must rotate a full 360 degrees while flipping, and the skater has to catch it mid-air and land smoothly. Even pros miss this trick under pressure.
2. Laser Flip
The laser flip mixes a 360 frontside shove-it with a heelflip. The board spins and flips in the opposite direction of a 360 flip, which confuses even advanced skaters. The motion feels unnatural for many, and catching the board cleanly is rare. Landing a laser flip down a gap or stairs is a big achievement.
3. Hardflip
A hardflip is a hybrid of a frontside shove-it and a kickflip, but the board flips between the skater’s legs. The timing and foot placement are not intuitive, and the board can easily hit your feet or legs during the flip. Doing a hardflip down obstacles is considered a major milestone.
4. Nollie Inward Heelflip
This trick starts with a nollie (nose ollie), where the skater pops the front of the board. At the same time, they do an inward heelflip—a heelflip combined with a frontside shove-it. The coordination needed to pop from the nose and flick the board correctly is high, and landing it with style is extremely rare.
5. Switch 360 Double Kickflip
“Switch” means riding with your non-dominant foot forward. A switch 360 double kickflip requires the board to rotate 360 degrees while flipping twice, all while riding switch. This is a trick that only top professionals can land, and it’s even harder to do consistently.
6. Bigspin Flip
The bigspin flip is a 360 shove-it with a kickflip, and the skater spins their body 180 degrees at the same time. Timing is everything: the board and the skater’s body must rotate together, and the kickflip must be caught and controlled. This trick is tough on flat ground and even harder on obstacles.
7. Impossible
An impossible is a trick where the back foot wraps the board 360 degrees vertically over itself, almost like a magic trick. The right “scoop” motion is hard to learn, and it’s easy to lose control. Doing impossibles down stairs or over gaps is a rare sight.
8. Nightmare Flip
The nightmare flip combines a double kickflip with a 360 shove-it. The board must spin and flip twice at the same time. The coordination and power needed to flick the board correctly makes this trick one of the hardest to land.
9. 720 Gazelle Flip
The gazelle flip is already challenging, but the 720 version adds an extra 360-degree rotation. The board does a 540 shove-it with a kickflip, while the skater spins 360 degrees in the air. Only a few skaters in history have landed this trick on video.
10. Darkslide
A darkslide is when a skater flips the board upside down, grinds on the grip tape with the trucks in the air, and then flips it back to land. This trick is dangerous for the board and the skater. It requires precise footwork and balance, as well as the courage to land on the grip tape.
Credit: www.villagepsychic.net
Comparing Trick Difficulty And Consistency
Understanding why some tricks are so hard can be clearer with a comparison. Here’s a look at the technical difficulty vs. landing consistency for several tricks:
| Trick | Technical Difficulty (1-10) | Landing Consistency (1-10) |
|---|---|---|
| Kickflip | 4 | 8 |
| 360 Flip | 8 | 5 |
| Laser Flip | 9 | 3 |
| Impossible | 8 | 4 |
| Darkslide | 10 | 2 |
Many skaters can do a kickflip almost every try, but with tricks like the darkslide or laser flip, landing them even once can take hours.
The Mental Side Of Hard Tricks
Landing the hardest skateboard tricks isn’t just about skill. Mental strength plays a big role. Skaters must overcome fear, especially when trying dangerous tricks down stairs or over gaps. Visualization, focus, and patience help skaters push through mental barriers. Many professional skaters say that believing you can land a trick is half the battle.
Non-obvious Insights
- Board setup matters: The type and tightness of trucks, the size of the board, and even the grip tape can affect whether a trick is possible for you. Some tricks are easier with a certain shape or size.
- Foot placement is critical: Small changes in how you position your feet can make or break a difficult trick. Watching slow-motion videos can reveal hidden details about how pros place their feet.
Credit: www.youtube.com
Learning Process: From Basics To Advanced
Every skater starts with the basics. Here’s a typical learning path that leads to these hard tricks:
- Ollie: The foundation of almost every trick.
- Kickflip and Heelflip: First tricks that involve flipping the board.
- Shove-It and 360 Shove-It: Spinning the board horizontally.
- Combining Flips and Spins: Where complexity begins—360 flips, bigspins, etc.
- Switch/Nollie Variations: Doing tricks in unnatural stances.
- Advanced Combos and Grinds: Laser flips, darkslides, and more.
Skaters usually spend years mastering each level before moving up.
Most Famous “hardest Trick” Moments In History
Some tricks become legendary because of where and when they were landed. For example, Rodney Mullen, often called the “Godfather of Street Skating,” invented many hard tricks like the impossible and darkslide. Chris Cole’s 360 flip down the famous Wallenberg set is still talked about today.
Nyjah Huston has landed switch tricks down massive stair sets in contests, raising the bar for what’s possible.
Credit: geekireland.com
Risk And Injury: Why These Tricks Are Not For Beginners
Attempting the hardest skateboard tricks comes with real injury risks. Ankles, knees, and wrists are most often hurt. High-impact landings can also damage the board, shoes, and even the ground beneath you. Many skaters wear helmets, wrist guards, and knee pads—especially when trying new or dangerous tricks.
Common Mistakes When Trying Hard Tricks
- Rushing progression: Trying advanced tricks before mastering basics leads to frustration and injury.
- Ignoring setup: Not adjusting your board for comfort can make a hard trick even harder.
- Lack of analysis: Skaters who don’t watch their own footage or study pros may miss important technique details.
Tips For Skaters Trying To Level Up
If you want to work toward these legendary tricks, consider these strategies:
- Film your attempts: Watching yourself helps spot small errors.
- Break tricks into parts: Practice the flip, spin, or scoop separately.
- Rest and recover: Don’t practice hard tricks when tired—your risk of injury is much higher.
- Get feedback: Ask experienced skaters to watch and give advice.
- Set realistic goals: Focus on consistency with basic tricks before moving up.
How Pros Train For The Hardest Skateboard Tricks
Professional skaters spend hours each day practicing. They often use “flat ground” sessions to perfect footwork, then move to stairs or ledges. Many have coaches or filmers who provide feedback. They also work on strength and flexibility off the board—yoga, stretching, and balance exercises help prevent injury and improve performance.
Here’s how practice routines compare at different skill levels:
| Skill Level | Practice Frequency | Trick Difficulty Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 2-3 days/week | Ollies, shove-its |
| Intermediate | 3-5 days/week | Kickflips, heelflips, 360 flips |
| Advanced/Pro | 6-7 days/week | Laser flips, hardflips, darkslides |
Skateboarding Competitions And Scoring
In competitions, the hardest tricks often earn the highest scores. Judges look for:
- Difficulty: How hard is the trick, really?
- Consistency: Can the skater land it every time?
- Style: Does it look clean and controlled?
- Originality: Is the trick new or creative?
For example, in Street League events, a perfect score (9 or 10) is usually given only for tricks that are both very hard and performed in risky situations, like down a big rail or gap.
The Future Of Hard Skateboard Tricks
With new technology, training methods, and more skateparks, the level of skateboarding continues to rise. Skaters now land tricks that were thought impossible ten years ago. There’s also a growing trend toward creative tricks—not just harder, but different. As skateboarding evolves, expect to see even more mind-blowing moves.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Considered The Hardest Skateboard Trick Ever Landed?
While opinions differ, many skaters agree that the 720 gazelle flip and darkslide are among the hardest. These tricks require advanced skill, precise timing, and courage.
How Long Does It Take To Learn A Hard Skateboard Trick?
It can take months or even years to consistently land the hardest tricks. Progress depends on practice frequency, prior experience, and willingness to study and adjust technique.
Is It Safe To Try These Tricks As A Beginner?
No. Beginner skaters should focus on basic tricks and safety first. Attempting advanced tricks too early greatly increases the risk of injury.
Who Invented Some Of The Hardest Skateboard Tricks?
Rodney Mullen is famous for inventing many technical tricks like the impossible, kickflip, and darkslide. Modern pros have built on his foundation, adding new spins and flips.
Where Can I Watch Tutorials For Difficult Skateboard Tricks?
YouTube is a great resource. Channels like Braille Skateboarding and Skateboarding Made Simple offer tutorials. For more on the history of tricks and their inventors, check Wikipedia’s Rodney Mullen page.
Skateboarding is about creativity, progression, and facing challenges. The hardest tricks remind us that with practice and passion, even the impossible can be achieved—sometimes literally, with the impossible trick. Whether you dream of landing a simple ollie or the next world’s hardest trick, the journey itself is what makes skateboarding special.
