Backside 180

The backside 180 is a 180° spin in the backside direction: you rotate by opening your shoulders toward your back, so for much of the trick you can’t see the landing. That’s why a lot of riders find it harder than the frontside 180 at first, but with the right method it comes quickly.

How to Do It

1. Ride into the kicker with the right speed. Keep your shoulders open and your eyes on the end of the lip.
2. Just before the lip, start winding up the backside rotation: turn your shoulders toward the tail side, as if you wanted to spot the landing before you even take off.
3. Ollie off the end of the lip and use the pop to launch as the rotation keeps going.
4. In the air, look for the landing by turning your head over your shoulder. This is the key moment: your head leads and your body follows.
5. Land fakie with soft knees and your weight centered. Absorb the impact and control your speed with your edge.

Common Mistakes

• Stopping halfway: the fear of not seeing the landing makes you stop the rotation at 90°. Trust the movement and keep your head turning all the way: the landing will be right where you expect it.
• Landing on your toes: landing fakie out of a backside 180 tends to put you on your toe edge. Be ready for it and balance by shifting your weight slightly onto your heels.
• Too little pop: without a committed ollie the trick stays low and the landing is hard to control. Go for height.

Progression

Once the backside 180 is in your bag, you can go for the Backside 360 to double the rotation, or add a grab in the air to give the trick more style.