Learning the 360 pop shuvit involves mastering the board's rotation while giving it height off the ground. A successful "session" is a structured practice approach to break down the trick into smaller, manageable steps.
Here's how to approach learning the 360 pop shuvit:
Understanding the Trick
The 360 pop shuvit is a variation of the pop shuvit where the board rotates a full 360 degrees horizontally under your feet after an ollie-like pop.
Essential Elements
To land this trick, you need to coordinate:
- Foot Placement: Where your feet are positioned on the board.
- Pop: Generating lift by hitting the tail off the ground.
- Scoop: Spinning the board horizontally with your back foot.
- Front Foot Timing: Lifting your front foot out of the way and then catching the board.
- Body Control: Keeping your balance and shoulders aligned.
Setting Up Your Stance
Proper foot placement is critical for the 360 pop shuvit.
- Front Foot: Position it slightly behind the front bolts, centered across the board.
- Back Foot: Place the ball of your foot on the center of the tail. This position is key for the scoop.
Mastering the Scoop (The Core Motion)
The scoop is what gives the board its 360-degree spin. Based on skateboarding technique, your back ankle is crucial here.
- The Motion: As you prepare to pop, you want to use your back foot to push the tail down and back. According to the reference, this motion involves your ankle bending down and kicking sideways ("kicks this way") at the same time. This combined movement helps it scoop, driving the tail diagonally off the ground and initiating the spin.
- Practice: Focus on this specific ankle bending down and kicking motion to scoop the tail. Practice just the scoop motion without jumping initially. You go down to scoop.
The Pop and The Timing
Once you understand the scoop motion, integrate the pop and lift:
- Pop: Bring your back foot down quickly to pop the tail off the ground.
- Scoop: Immediately after the pop, perform the scooping motion with your back ankle, guiding the tail back and towards your body's centerline.
- Front Foot Lifts: Simultaneously, as you pop and scoop, your front foot lifts straight up and slightly forward, out of the way of the spinning board. This allows the board to rotate freely underneath you.
Body Alignment and Landing
- Shoulders: Keep your shoulders aligned parallel with the board throughout the trick. Twisting your shoulders will cause you to over-rotate your body or not land straight.
- Jumping: Jump straight up, staying centered over the board.
- Watching the Board: Keep your eyes on the board as it spins.
- Catching: As the board completes its 360 rotation, bring your feet down to land on the bolts. Bending your knees upon landing absorbs the impact.
Structuring Your Practice Session
A good session breaks the trick down:
- Warm-up: Skate around, do some ollies and regular pop shuvits (180 degrees) to get comfortable.
- Scoop Practice (No Pop): Stand still and practice just the back foot scoop motion to get the feel for the 360 spin. Focus on that ankle bend and kick.
- Pop & Scoop (No Jump/Land): Add the pop, focusing on the pop and scoop coordination. Let the board spin without trying to land on it yet. Get the full 360 rotation consistently.
- Pop, Scoop, and Lift (Front Foot): Add the front foot lift into the motion. Practice letting the board spin fully under you while lifting your front foot.
- Add the Jump: Start jumping with the pop and scoop. Let the board spin, but don't focus on landing perfectly yet. Just get the feel of the rotation in the air.
- Attempting the Landing: Once the board is consistently rotating 360 degrees under you while jumping, start attempting to land. Aim to bring your feet down on the bolts. It will likely be awkward at first.
- Refine and Land: Work on landing one foot, then two feet. Adjust your scoop force and jump timing based on how the board is rotating.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
- Board Doesn't Spin Enough: Increase the force and angle of your back foot scoop. Ensure the ankle motion is sharp and quick.
- Board Spins Too Much: Reduce the force of your scoop slightly.
- Board Flies Away: Make sure you are jumping straight up and staying centered over the board. Your front foot might be kicking the board away instead of lifting straight up.
- Board Lands Sideways: Check your shoulder alignment. They should stay parallel to the board.
By breaking down the 360 pop shuvit into these steps and focusing on the key motions, especially the back foot scoop described, you can effectively practice and learn this trick in a structured session.
