The tre flip — short for “360 flip” — is one of the most recognizable tricks in skateboarding. It combines a kickflip rotation with a 360 shove-it spin, so the board flips over lengthwise while spinning a full circle beneath your feet. It looks complicated because two things are happening at once, but if you’ve already got a solid kickflip and pop shove-it, you already have the two building blocks you need.
This guide breaks the tre flip down into the same mechanics you already know, so you can combine them instead of learning something completely new.
What Is a Tre Flip?
A tre flip is a combination trick: the board does a full 360-degree shove-it rotation (spinning flat, like a pop shove-it) while also flipping over along its long axis (like a kickflip). Both rotations have to finish at almost exactly the same time for you to catch the board level under your feet.
It’s sometimes confused with a “360 kickflip,” which is the same trick under a different name skaters use interchangeably. If you see either term, they’re talking about the same combination.
Skills You Need Before Learning a Tre Flip
Because a tre flip is really two tricks stacked together, trying to learn it before you’ve locked in the individual pieces usually just leads to frustration. Make sure you’re comfortable with these first:
- Kickflip — you need a consistent, clean flip motion off your front foot. See our step-by-step kickflip guide if you’re still working on this.
- Pop shove-it — this gives you the 360-degree spin. Our pop shove-it breakdown covers the back-foot scoop you’ll reuse here.
- Board control on landing — being able to catch and stomp a spinning, flipping board takes reps. Don’t rush this trick if you’re still landing kickflips shaky.
How to Tre Flip: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Foot Placement
Set your front foot at a slight angle behind the bolts, similar to your kickflip stance but rotated a little more toward your heel edge — this makes it easier to scoop. Your back foot sits on the tail at an angle, cupped around the edge like you’re setting up a pop shove-it, not straight across like a standard ollie.
Step 2: The Pop and Scoop
This is where the two tricks combine. As you pop the tail down, your back foot needs to scoop the tail backward and out (the shove-it motion) while your front foot drags up and off the edge of the board (the kickflip motion). Both motions happen almost simultaneously, a fraction of a second apart — scoop first, flick second, so the spin starts before the flip finishes.
Step 3: Catching the Board
Keep your eyes on the board, not your feet. You’re watching for two things to line up: the griptape spinning back into view, and the flip completing so the graphic stops facing you. When both happen together, the board is level — that’s your window to catch it with both feet.
Step 4: Landing
Land with your feet over the bolts, knees bent, and absorb the impact the same way you would on any flip trick. Because there’s more rotation happening than a kickflip, expect the board to still be settling slightly as you land — stomping down firmly (rather than landing soft) helps stop any leftover spin.
Common Tre Flip Mistakes and Fixes
- Board spins but doesn’t flip: Your scoop is too dominant and your flick is too late or too weak. Focus on a sharper front-foot flick, closer to your kickflip timing.
- Board flips but doesn’t finish the spin: You’re flicking before scooping. Start the back-foot scoop a beat earlier so the spin has time to complete.
- Board hits your back leg: This usually means your pop isn’t giving the board enough height to clear the full rotation. Pop harder and give the trick more air time before trying to catch it.
- Catching it off-balance: If you’re catching the board with your feet in the wrong spot, go back to landing kickflips and pop shove-its cleanly before adding them together again.
Tips for Learning Faster
Practice the scoop-and-flick motion standing still, off the board, until the two movements feel like one action rather than two separate ones. Many skaters also find it easier to overrotate slightly at first (spin a little too much) rather than underrotate, since it’s easier to slow the spin down with practice than to force more rotation out of a timid scoop. Filming yourself in slow motion is one of the fastest ways to see whether you’re flipping or spinning too early.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between a tre flip and a 360 flip?
Nothing — they’re the same trick. “Tre flip” and “360 flip” are used interchangeably by skaters, though “tre flip” is more common in casual conversation.
How long does it take to learn a tre flip?
It varies a lot by skater, but most people who already have a solid kickflip and pop shove-it spend anywhere from a few sessions to a few weeks landing their first ones consistently. It’s more about timing than raw effort.
Should I learn a heelflip before a tre flip?
Not necessarily. A tre flip builds on the kickflip motion, not the heelflip. You can learn a heelflip separately, but it isn’t a prerequisite — check our heelflip guide if you want to add it to your trick list anyway.
Why does my board flip and spin, but I still can’t catch it?
This is usually a timing-of-your-eyes problem rather than a board problem. Try watching the board the entire time instead of glancing down at your feet — most missed catches come from looking away right as the board finishes rotating.
Does my board setup matter for tre flips?
A lighter deck and responsive trucks make the trick easier to learn, since you’re relying on a clean, springy pop. If your trucks feel dead or overly loose, it’s worth checking our guide on tightening skateboard trucks before you start drilling this trick.
