To perform a Backside (BS) Invert, you'll approach the coping of a ramp or quarter pipe, pop off the coping while placing your back hand down, invert your body and board, and then throw your weight back over the board to land cleanly.
What is a Backside Invert?
The Backside Invert is a fundamental skateboarding trick performed on transition, typically a ramp or quarter pipe. It involves approaching the coping backside, planting your back hand on the coping, and inverting your body and board upside down before rotating back into the ramp. It's a stylish and essential move for anyone looking to master vertical skateboarding.
Prerequisites for Learning
Before attempting a Backside Invert, it's beneficial to have a solid grasp of these foundational skills:
- Pumping: Efficiently gaining speed and maintaining momentum on transition.
- Rock to Fakie: Comfortably riding up to the coping, pivoting on the back truck, and rolling back down fakie.
- Tail Stalls/Axle Stalls: Balancing on the coping with your tail or trucks.
- Handplants: General comfort with planting your hand on the coping while on your board.
- Basic Airs: Gaining some air above the coping.
Step-by-Step Guide to the BS Invert
Learning to invert requires practice and a systematic approach. Here's how to break down the Backside Invert:
1. The Approach
- Speed: Approach the quarter pipe with enough speed to get above the coping, but not so much that you overshoot.
- Line: Ride straight up towards the coping on a backside line (your back will be facing the wall as you ascend).
- Foot Placement: Keep your feet in a comfortable riding position, ready to adjust as you go up.
2. Initiation and Pop
As you reach the coping, the key is to generate enough lift to get your board and body into position.
- Pop off the Coping: Utilize the lip of the coping to initiate an ollie or a pop. This helps lift your board and get it aligned for the invert. Your front foot will guide the board, and your back foot will provide the pop.
- Timing: The pop should happen just as your trucks clear the coping, allowing you to establish control above the transition.
3. Hand Placement
This is where the "plant" comes in.
- Reach for the Coping: As you pop up, reach your back hand (for regular riders, this is your right hand; for goofy riders, your left hand) towards the coping.
- Secure Grip: Plant your palm firmly on the coping. Your fingers should wrap slightly around the edge or be flat on top, providing stability. This hand becomes your pivot point.
4. Inverting the Board and Body
Once your hand is planted, the inversion begins.
- Flip the Board: As your hand secures on the coping, use your lead shoulder and head to initiate the invert. Your body will begin to turn upside down.
- Point Your Board Down: While inverted, it's crucial to maintain control of your board. Point your board back down towards your planted hand. This action helps to keep the board close to you and prepares it for the descent.
- Leg Position: Your legs will extend upwards as you invert, with your body largely supported by your planted hand.
5. Throwing Your Weight Back In
Coming out of the invert requires a controlled shift of momentum.
- Shift Weight: Basically, it's like throwing your weight back in over the board. As you prepare to un-invert, you'll need to shift your body weight from being over your hand and outward, back inwards over your skateboard.
- Look to Land: Your head and shoulders will lead the rotation back into the ramp. Look for your landing spot in the transition.
6. Landing
- Absorb Impact: Bend your knees to absorb the impact as your wheels touch the ramp.
- Roll Away: Ride away smoothly, maintaining balance and control.
Tips for Success and Common Challenges
| Aspect | Tip | Common Mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Commitment | Be confident and commit fully to the invert. | Hesitation, bailing too early. |
| Hand Placement | Plant your hand firmly and slightly behind where your board will invert. | Weak hand plant, hand slipping. |
| Board Control | Keep the board close and under control throughout the inversion. | Board flying out, losing connection with the feet. |
| Weight Shift | Practice the "rocking" motion without fully inverting first. | Not shifting weight back over the board, landing on the coping. |
| Practice | Start on smaller ramps and gradually work your way up. | Attempting on too steep or large a ramp too soon. |
| Safety | Wear a helmet and pads. Fall correctly by tucking and rolling. | Not wearing protective gear. |
For visual aids and further learning, resources like Braille Skateboarding and The Berrics offer tutorials on various skateboarding tricks, including advanced transition maneuvers.
