Flatground skateboarding trick tips | skating how-to | Chris Oliver

Relentless Energy Drink sponsored skateboarder Chris Oliver gives us some how-to advice on his top five favourite flatground tricks

In the latest part of our nascent trick tips feature series, Bridport-born Relentless Energy Drink sponsored rider Chris Oliver – winner of the 2010 World Cup Street Skate Comp at the Relentless Energy Drink NASS Festival – takes us through his five top tricks to pull off on a skateboard. Drawing on more than 15 years’ experience, Chris also gives some history and insight into the background of each.

Classic 360 flip (aka tre flip, 3 flip or the Rubik’s Cube)

This has evolved from the kickflip and 360 shuvit combined. It’s possibly one of the most commonly performed spins, and one of the trendiest. There’s always someone in the next town who’s got a trendier one.

The origin is hazy. It could have been an accidental 3 shuv that flipped over on a windy day, or maybe it was when someone stressed out and threw their board at a tree and thought, “Actually, that would look good under my feet, let’s have a go.” But, most likely, it was invented by Rodney Mullen. Apparently, he invented every flatground trick there’s ever been, and no one seems to question the history. Just believe it – it’s easier on the brain. How to do it? Basically, the back foot is the driver and the front is the co-pilot, that’s all I’m saying. Just work with those ground rules and you’ll be fine.

Frontside flip (aka fronny flip or the pancake)

Again, it’s probably thanks to Mr Mullen for this silky little number. This is definitely a guilty pleasure for me. It’s helped me out at many a contest, ramp or street.

I think the attraction is that you can see the whole trick happening right in front of you from start to finish, and that you can really groom it to perfection. If you get the flip right, it should feel like magnets to your feet. Pow! Just keep practising kickflips to a frontside 90 stop and nature will take the reigns to insure a healthy fronny flip. Check out Andrew Reynolds for the ultimate frontside flip.

Nollie flip (aka nollie flip – its already cool enough!)

If there’s any trick that could make you an instant gangster, it’s this one. Take it as fast or as slow as you like, it doesn’t matter. It’s probably the most common filler trick to any line, and feels amazing. Get your nollies comfortable, then pretend you’ve got a bit of bog roll on your back foot and you’re just shooing it off. It will come eventually. The trick is to be gentle.

Hardflip (aka hardy, or illusion flip, if you ain’t got the fold)

Another beauty. This can be a painful one, so be warned. This trick is prone to credit carding (board upright, straight to the plums), so the more body weight, the better.

Basically, a frontside flip sex change (sounds like a good band). It’s taxing, to say the least, but feels amazing when you get it right. You just have to believe that your legs are made of rubber for a brief moment, and your board is a razor blade, and then flip it through your legs like a frontside flip, without slicing anything off. This is the Iron Lotus of skateboarding. Enjoy.

Frontside pressure flip (aka the skate weapon)

I just like this one purely for the fact that no one really does them, and it’s just a habit trick I picked up that works every time without fail. It’s a personal thing I’ve been overcoming for years, but I got a hold on it! There’s no popping involved, just a pure balance of pressure applied evenly. You could probably do this trick if you had one leg – that’s how clever it is.