Who invented the most skateboard tricks?

Feb 9, 2023 Jim Stroesser

To me and others, Rodney Mullen is widely regarded as one of the most influential skateboarders in the history of the sport. He is known for inventing numerous skateboard tricks and maneuvers. While it's difficult for me to provide an exact count of the specific tricks he has invented, he has played a pivotal role in creating and popularizing many foundational street and freestyle skateboarding tricks.

The Most Skateboard Tricks Winner is?

Officially, Guinness World Records says the record for Most Skateboard Tricks Invented goes to Rodney Mullen. They say he invented thirty skateboard tricks between 1997 and 2008, which puts him at the top of the list.

Wikipedia® credits Rodney Mullen with a list of thirty-one skateboard tricks.

Rodney Mullen's List of 37 Tricks He Created

Here is my list of tricks I have tracked down that were attributed to Randy Mullen.

No.	Rodney Mullen's Skateboard Trick Name	Year Invented
1	Godzilla Rail Flip	1979
2	540 Shove-It	1979
3	50/50 Saran Wrap	1979
4	50/50 Casper	1980
5	Helipop	1980
6	Gazelle Flip	1981
7	No-Handed 50/50	1981
8	No-Handed 50/50 Kick Flip	1981
9	Kick Flip	1982
10	Heel Flip	1982
11	Double Heel Flip	1982
12	Impossible	1982
13	Sidewinder	1983
14	360 Flip	1983
15	Switch 360 Flip	1983
16	360 Pressure Flip	1983
17	Casper 360 Flip	1983
18	Half-Cab Kick Flip	1983
19	50/50 Sidewinder	1983
20	One-footed Ollie	1984
21	Backside Flip (Backside 180 Kick Flip)	1984
22	Ollie Nosebone	1986
23	Ollie Finger Flip	1986
24	Ollie Airwalk	1986
25	Frontside Heel Flip Shove-It	1988
26	Helipop Heel Flip	1990
27	Kick Flip Underflip	1992
28	Half-Cab Kick Flip Underflip	1992
29	Casper Slide	1992
30	Half Flip Darkslide	1992
31	Handstand Flips	1992
32	Primo Grinds and Slides	1992
33	Dark Slide	1993
34	Handstand Flip	1998
35	Mullen Spin	2016
36	Impossible 360	2016
37	Backside Impossible	2016

Rodney Mullen's 10 Most Influential Tricks

Everyone has their own opinion, but here is what I feel are his most influential tricks:

Kick Flip (1982): Revolutionized street skateboarding. It became a foundational trick and a building block for more complex maneuvers.

Heel Flip (1982): Alongside the kickflip, the heelflip is a core trick in street skating, providing a basis for numerous variations and combinations.

Impossible (1982): Showcased Rodney's creativity and technical skill, influencing skaters to explore more inventive and challenging tricks.

360 Flip (1983): Also known as the 'tre flip,' this trick combines a 360-degree flip with a skateboard's kickflip, becoming a staple in modern street skating.

No-Handed 50/50 (1981) & Casper 360 Flip (1983): These tricks exemplified Rodney's pioneering approach to combining flips with rail and flatland skating, expanding the scope of what could be done on a skateboard.

Ollie Airwalk (1986): Blended street and vert skating styles, demonstrating the versatility of street skating tricks.

Frontside Heel Flip Shove-It (1988): Showcased the evolution of flip tricks and the combination of spins and flips, a hallmark of modern street skating.

Kick Flip Underflip (1992): Pushed the technical complexity of skateboarding tricks, leading to a new era of innovation in trick development.

Casper Slide (1992): Brought a new dimension to sliding tricks on the board, influencing the freestyle and technical aspects of skateboarding.

Dark Slide (1993) & Handstand Flip (1998): Demonstrated the fusion of technical skill and creativity, which became a signature aspect of street skateboarding.

Mullen's contribution through these tricks lies not just in their technicality but in the philosophy they embodied. He showed that skateboarding was not just about athletic prowess but also about creativity, innovation, and personal expression. His influence extends beyond the tricks themselves; he changed how skaters approached the sport, encouraging them to see the urban landscape as a canvas for creativity.

Rodney Mullen - PopTech 2013 - Camden, ME - Photo by Thatcher Cook

Rodney Mullen's Legacy

Rodney Mullen's legacy in skateboarding is evident in the way street skating has evolved. Today's skaters build upon the foundations he laid, continually pushing the boundaries of what's possible on a skateboard. His impact is seen in every skatepark, street corner, and competition where these tricks are performed, making him a true legend in the sport.

About the Author: Jim Stroesser

Jim Stroesser has amassed 38 years of experience in global consumer branding across the sports, fashion, and entertainment industries. Starting his career as a tech rep, he ascended to CEO roles with some of the world's leading brands. As the Co-Founder and CEO of CALI Strong Inc., a direct-to-consumer sports brand based in San Diego, CA, Jim has led the company in producing premium apparel, footwear, equipment, and accessories.

His tenure as Owner/Partner at Converse is particularly noteworthy. Jim was pivotal in reviving the brand from bankruptcy in 2001, elevating its value from $120 million to $285 million, and playing a crucial role in its $305 million sale to Nike in 2003, marking one of the century's significant mergers and acquisitions.

Beyond Converse, Jim has held senior management positions at renowned companies such as Nike, Quiksilver, Oakley, LA Gear, Pony, and Adio. He is also actively involved in several boards of directors positions, including SDSI, led by Chairman Bill Walton, which focuses on mentoring companies and assisting in capital raising efforts.