Mastering the Streets: Top Advanced Skateboarding Tricks to Conquer This YearA new year brings fresh motivation to push physical and mental boundaries on a skateboard. For experienced riders who have already locked down standard flip tricks and basic grinds, progressing further requires precision, commitment, and a willingness to rethink muscle memory. Stepping into advanced territory is not just about jumping down larger stair sets; it is about combining technical control with creative style. The following selection of advanced maneuvers represents the perfect roadmap to elevate your street and park riding over the next twelve months.
The Technical Complexity of the Tre Flip NosegrindCombining a 360 flip with a nosegrind is a masterclass in spatial awareness and timing. To approach this trick, a flawless 360 flip is mandatory, specifically one where the rider can control the height and catch the board mid-air. The challenge lies in the shift of weight distribution during the descent. Instead of landing centered over both trucks, the rider must intentionally catch the board with the front foot positioned directly over the nose hardware. Visualizing the ledge or rail early in the spin is crucial. As the board completes its rotation, the front foot guides the nose down onto the obstacle while the back foot stays light to maintain balance. Exiting the grind requires a sharp pop out or a clean nollie flip out for those looking to maximize the difficulty level.
Defying Gravity with the Hardflip Late FlipFlatground technical skating reaches a pinnacle with late flip combinations, and the hardflip late flip is one of the most visually striking options to learn. This maneuver demands explosive pop and incredibly fast feet. The trick begins with a standard hardflip, which combines a frontside pop shove-it with a kickflip. Once the board completes this initial, vertical-axis rotation and reaches the apex of its height, the rider must use the back foot to deliver a swift, deliberate flick against the grip tape. This secondary motion forces the board to flip in the opposite direction just before modern gravity pulls it back down. Perfecting this requires minimizing upper body movement to keep the shoulders perfectly parallel to the board throughout the entire sequence.
The Art of the Backside Overcrook on HandrailsTransitioning technical ledge tricks onto handrails introduces a high-stakes element to advanced skateboarding. The backside overcrook is a highly respected trick that separates proficient amateurs from elite skaters. Unlike a standard nosegrind where the board stays parallel to the rail, an overcrook requires angling the tail of the board over the opposite side of the rail while locking the front truck completely onto the metal. Approaching the handrail from a backside angle requires absolute confidence in the ollie height. The rider must pop high enough to clear the rail completely, shift the board diagonally, and lock into the lock-in pocket of the front truck. Maintaining balance requires leaning slightly back into the slide to prevent the front wheels from catching and causing a forward pitch.
Redefining Vert with the Switch Frontside InvertAdvanced transition and bowl riders looking for a New Year challenge should look toward switch stance lip tricks. The switch frontside invert reverses the mechanics of a classic vert maneuver, making it highly disorienting. Approaching the coping in a switch stance means riding backward up the wall with the leading shoulder facing away from the platform. The rider must plant the front hand onto the coping while simultaneously scooping the tail to swing the body upside down. The momentum relies entirely on core strength and a powerful carving motion. Holding the invert at the peak requires keeping the weight centered directly over the planting hand before pulling the board back into the transition, leading with the original riding foot.
Unlocking Creativity with the Ghetto BirdOriginally popularized in the late 1990s, the Ghetto Bird remains a benchmark of advanced street credibility. The trick consists of a nollie hardflip followed immediately by a late backside 180-degree body varial. Because the board rotates in a frontside motion while the body spins backside, the timing can feel completely unnatural. The secret to unlocking this trick is popping a high, clean nollie hardflip and catching it at the very peak of the arc. The moment the feet touch the grip tape, the rider must aggressively snap the hips and shoulders around to complete the 180-degree rotation before touching the ground. Mastering this trick provides an excellent foundation for understanding how to manipulate body weight independently of board rotation.
Progressing through these advanced maneuvers requires patience, resilience, and a dedication to cross-training and stretching to protect the joints from heavy impacts. Every failed attempt offers data on foot placement, weight distribution, and timing. By breaking down each trick into its core components and practicing the foundational movements repeatedly, these intimidating combinations will slowly transition from distant goals into consistent, stylish additions to any skate portfolio by the end of the year.
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