How to Do a Backside 180 Ollie on a Skateboard

A backside 180 is a skateboarding trick that combines an ollie with a 180-degree turn, leading with your back. The successful landing of the backside 180 results in the skateboarder riding backwards. A backside 180 is considered a beginner trick, but is slightly more difficult to pull off than the frontside 180, where you land leading with your chest.

Once you’ve got the basics of skateboarding down (like how to push and ollie), and are ready for more advanced skateboarding tricks, you can attempt a backside ollie:

1. 1. Get in the ollie position. Your foot placement should be the same as if you were performing a regular ollie. Position your feet like you would doing a basic ollie, with your back foot in the center of your tail.
2. 2. Turn your shoulders. Before snapping your tail, begin turning your shoulders in a backside direction. This will create the momentum to spin you and your board 180 degrees.
3. 3. Pop and slide. Pop your tail and slide your front foot forward while bringing your shoulders around. If you’ve timed your shoulder turn correctly with the pop you and your board will land after rotating 180 degrees. Be sure to also shift your weight as you would with a frontside 180 ollie to ensure you keep rolling—backwards—when you land.

Whether you’re just learning how to ollie or ready to tackle a Madonna (the vert trick, not the singer), the MasterClass Annual Membership can help you find confidence on your board with exclusive instructional videos from skateboarding legend Tony Hawk, street skater Riley Hawk, and Olympic hopeful Lizzie Armanto.