Kicker Backside 180s

What it is

Backside 180's off the kicker are really the best skill to learn to take your riding to the next level. Heelside Backside 180's are going to help you develop a bulletproof blind landing Toeside Backside 180's will help out massively when it comes to learning more technical transfers and spins!

How to do it

1. Heelside
2. Start off with a very gentle cut towards the kicker
3. release your back hand
4. As you pop from the kicker get in to a frontside shifty position
5. Wait until you are on the way down to use the handle to pull you to blind
6. Land with equal weight and looking over your toes so you don't get unwrapped
7. Increase cut intensity and pop height as you get more consistent!
8. Toeside
9. Holding on with your front hand only have medium to hard edge in towards the kicker
10. 5 meters before the kicker ease off your edge, lift your chest and reach forward with your back hand
11. As you go up the kicker use your back hand to swing hard and generate rotation in your shoulders
12. Keep your board straight on the kicker
13. Make the handle pass by the top of the kicker
14. Spot the landing

Common problems

• Heelside Backside 180
• It's very common to see people trying to go for the backside 180 straight from the top of the kicker. It's really important to wait until you are on the way down to nail the blind landing
• Try to keep spotting the water underneath you when coming down, if you look over your shoulder you will not be able to see when the landing is coming.
• Toeside Backside 180
• If you're finding it hard to get the handle pass really try to flatten off your board before the kicker. This is going to give you a little bit of acceleration so that the tension won't be as strong and allow you to pull on the handle a little bit. Use the back hand to really swing to gain extra rotation!