Why this trick should be IMPOSSIBLE ft. Rodney Mullen - Skateboarding Science

Skateboarding legend Rodney Mullen teams up with Physics Girl to explain the unusual physics behind skateboard tricks. Filmed with a phantom high speed camera at 1000fps, see Mullen's tricks like never before.

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Created by: Dianna Cowern
Editing: Jabril Ashe
Animations: Kyle Norby
Props: Kyle Kitzmiller
Science Advisor: Dan Walsh

Check out Beyond Slow Motion:
and Kuma Films:

A million thanks to Rodney Mullen!

Thanks to Kyle Kitzmiller

PO Box 9281
San Diego, CA 92169

Resources:

More fun reading:

[Metabrotropic]

Just a reminder that Rodney Mullen invented: the modern skateboard, the kickflip, the heelflip, the 360 flip, flatground ollie, and more. This man basically made skateboarding what it is today. An absolute legend.

[StJimmy]

“Yea invented the trick or whatever” says the dude who invented most tricks Rodney is the most humble dude probably ever

[boiifyoudont]

He’s the most humble dude in the world I swear. Every trick you saw him do, he invented and he invented modern skateboarding as we know it.

[senseofpermanence]

I could've watched like 2 hours of this. Rodney is an incredible person, and literally created 90% of skating as we know it today.

[ft]

"kickflips had been done, shove-its had been done" - literally the guy who invented both

[LumpyHippo]

"Skateboards aren't pogo sticks"

Rodney:👀

[letshaveya]

What makes this guy and Tony Hawk the legends that they are is the fact that they are so humble and find it embarrassing when people talk them up, he even looks embarrassed here when he mentions he invented the trick they are talking about never mind the other 100 he is credited for. You want your kids to have role models like these guys to look up to, no matter how good you are at something you never let yourself get an ego over it.

[turnaround]

I live next-door to Rodney for a couple of years in Gainesville when I was young. I would try following him down the big hill we lived on in my big wheel. I just remember him being really nice. I've never gotten into skating but I've always followed his career. He's a well deserving individual.

[skateratvocateproductions]

I feel like this only scratches the surface. There's a lot more to cover. Physics Girl Vs. Mullen Round Two?

[ericballi]

This was fantastic, but honestly, this deserved 15-20 minutes. Bring on part 2!!!

[ewok]

this should have been a hour long, rodney mullen is an OG

[Skeeks]

Rodney is humble!! the ollie impossible is not the only trick he’s credited creating. This dude literally created modern street skating by inventing the ollie, the kick flip, the 360 (tre) flip and all of the dark slide tricks. He is hands-down, the most amazing skateboarder I’ve ever watched, and I’ve watched a lot of skateboarders…being someone who skated over 10 years themselves.

Being somebody that loves physics and skateboarding, I’m literally the person she mentions in the beginning of the video that would be part of the small audience to truly appreciate the subject. However, this was such an awesome video, and I’m sure many others think the same.

[karlthemadscientist]

Honestly, a whole channel of you and Rodney explaining the physics of skating would change the world for the better. 💚

[stevebutabi]

Rodney Mullen is such a humble man, he hardly told you he invented the impossible. But what he didn't mention was he invented the flat ground ollie, kick flip, heelflip and 20+ other tricks. He should have been the one with the skateboarding games... He pioneered skateboarding into what it is today.

[mcmrmusic]

Rodney Mullen is literally the coolest person in the world. Period.

[imstillwing]

I loved Rodney as a kid skateboarding. I watched all of his videos. That was… 15 years ago. It makes me so happy he’s still skating, people recognize how great he is and how wholesome he is.

[bakerXderek]

Rodney has been my favorite skater since I was a kid. It's so awesome to grow up and see him as that same overly caring/nice individual.

[DMFChavez]

Watching Rodney's face light up at the "impossible" connection was adorable

[nameofthegame]

I’d love to see Rodney do every trick in the book in slow motion. I know it would be a 5 hour long video but I’d love every second of it.

[StretchMedia]

I always thought Rodney Mullen was/is the most talented technical skater to ever live. King of flatland and freestyle. Would have loved to see more technical analysis of his tricks.