The 360 shove-it, often called a “3 shove,” takes the regular pop shove-it and doubles the rotation. Instead of spinning the board 180 degrees under your feet, you spin it a full 360 and land back in the same stance. It’s a stepping stone to tricks like the tre flip and bigspin, and it’s one of the most satisfying tricks to get consistent. Here’s how to learn it step by step.
What Is a 360 Shove-It?
A 360 shove-it is a trick where the board spins a full 360 degrees horizontally beneath you while your body stays facing the same direction. The most common version is the backside 360 shove-it, where the back foot scoops the tail behind you. The frontside version, where the tail is pushed in front of you, is generally harder.
Unlike a bigspin, your body doesn’t rotate. You jump straight up, let the board spin, and land in your original stance rolling forward.
Before You Start
You should be able to land a regular pop shove-it consistently while rolling. If you can’t yet, go back to basics with our pop shove-it beginner’s guide. A decent ollie helps too, since you’ll need more height to give the board time to complete its rotation.
Step 1: Foot Placement
Place your back foot on the tail, with your toes near the heel-side edge. This is the same position as a pop shove-it, maybe even a little further toward the heel edge so your toes can really grip and scoop. Your front foot goes just behind the front bolts, roughly in the middle of the board, angled slightly. Some skaters keep the front foot a bit further back to stay over the board during the rotation.
Step 2: Get Low and Centered
Bend your knees and keep your shoulders level and parallel to the board. Unlike tricks with body rotation, you want to keep your upper body still. Any shoulder turn will make you rotate with the board and throw off the landing.
Step 3: Pop and Scoop Hard
Pop the tail and immediately scoop it backward and around in a sweeping arc. This is the key difference from a regular shove-it: the scoop has to be much stronger and follow through further. Imagine drawing a half-circle behind you with your back foot. The more committed your scoop, the more rotation you’ll get. A flick won’t do it; you need a full scoop.
Step 4: Jump and Stay Level
At the same time as you scoop, jump straight up with your front foot. Don’t guide the board with the front foot like an ollie. Instead, lift it up and out of the way so the board can spin freely. Keep your body directly above the board. Many skaters jump slightly forward to follow the board, which rolls forward as it spins.
Step 5: Watch and Catch
Keep your eyes on the board as it spins. When you see the tail come all the way back around, bring your feet down onto the bolts. Some skaters catch the board with their back foot first, others land with both feet together. Either works, as long as your feet are over the trucks when you land.
Step 6: Land and Roll Away
Land with bent knees to absorb the impact, keeping your weight centered. Ride away in your original stance. Congratulations, that’s a 360 shove-it.
Common 360 Shove-It Mistakes
The board only does 180 or 270 degrees
Your scoop isn’t strong enough. Focus on sweeping the tail all the way around. It’s more of a scoop than a pop. Practicing stationary on grass or carpet helps you build the feel.
The board flies away from you
You’re kicking the tail backward instead of around. Make sure your scoop motion is circular and stays under your body.
Your body rotates with the board
You’re turning your shoulders. Keep your upper body square to the board, and focus on jumping straight up.
You land on the board but it shoots out
You’re landing with your weight too far back, or the board hasn’t finished rotating. Wait a split second longer before landing, and keep your weight over the center.
Practice Tips
- Stationary first. Practice on grass or carpet so the board doesn’t roll away, focusing only on the scoop.
- Hand-assisted spins. Some skaters practice by holding onto a rail or friend while scooping the board to get the rotation timing.
- Add speed slowly. Once you’re landing it stationary, try it at a slow roll, then gradually faster.
- Check your gear. Worn grip tape at the tail makes scooping harder. If your grip is slick, it might be time to regrip your board.
What to Learn Next
Once your 360 shove-it is consistent, you’ve built the scoop needed for the tre flip (a 360 shove-it combined with a kickflip) and the bigspin (a 360 shove-it with a backside 180 body rotation). Both use exactly the same scoop you’ve just learned.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a 360 shove-it and a bigspin?
In a 360 shove-it, only the board spins 360 degrees while your body stays facing the same way. In a bigspin, the board spins 360 and your body also turns 180 degrees, so you land fakie.
Is a 360 shove-it hard?
It’s an intermediate trick. If you can land a pop shove-it consistently, most skaters can learn a 360 shove-it within a few weeks of practice.
Do you need to pop for a 360 shove-it?
Yes. A little pop gives the board time in the air to complete the full rotation. The scoop matters more than height, but you still need to pop.
Should I learn backside or frontside 360 shove-it first?
Backside is easier for most skaters because the scooping motion behind you feels more natural. Frontside is usually learned afterward.
Is a 360 shove-it needed for a tre flip?
Yes. The tre flip combines a backside 360 shove-it with a kickflip, so learning the 360 shove-it scoop first makes the tre flip far easier.
