Mastering the Art of Turning: A Comprehensive Guide to Turning on a Skateboard

Learning to turn on a skateboard is a fundamental skill that unlocks a whole new dimension of skateboarding. It’s the gateway to carving, navigating obstacles, and expressing your style on four wheels. While it might seem daunting at first, with the right technique and consistent practice, anyone can become proficient at turning. This comprehensive guide will break down the essential steps, providing you with a solid foundation for mastering this crucial skateboarding maneuver.

Understanding the Basics

Before diving into specific turning techniques, it’s vital to have a grasp of some basic concepts:

• Stance: Your stance refers to how you position your feet on the board. The two primary stances are regular (left foot forward) and goofy (right foot forward). Choose the stance that feels most natural to you, and stick with it.
• Center of Gravity: Maintaining your center of gravity over the board is crucial for balance and control. Leaning too far forward or backward can lead to instability.
• Weight Distribution: Shifting your weight is the core principle behind turning. Slight adjustments in weight distribution influence the board’s direction.
• Speed: While turning at high speeds requires more finesse, starting at a slow and comfortable pace is essential for beginners.
• Practice Area: Choose a flat, smooth, and open area to practice. Avoid busy streets or areas with many obstacles.

Types of Turns

There are several ways to turn on a skateboard, each with its own nuances and applications. Here are the most common ones you’ll encounter:

• Simple Turn (or Carving): This is the foundational turn where you use a gentle leaning motion to guide the board.
• Kick Turns: This involves lifting the front wheels of the board and pivoting the back wheels to change direction.
• Tic-Tacs: A rhythmic, back-and-forth motion of the board using the front truck.
• Power Slides: A more advanced technique where you deliberately slide the wheels to quickly change direction or reduce speed. (We won’t cover Power Slides in detail here, as they are best tackled after mastering other turns).

The Simple Turn (Carving) – A Step-by-Step Guide

This is the most fundamental type of turn, and it’s where every beginner should start. It’s also the basis for more complex techniques. Here’s how to master it:

Step 1: Getting Comfortable and Moving

• Find Your Balance: Start by standing on your board, ensuring your feet are positioned correctly in your chosen stance. Your front foot should be near the front bolts, angled slightly forward, and your back foot should be close to the tail, slightly angled as well.
• Push Off and Gain Momentum: Use your pushing foot (the foot not on the board) to push off the ground and get the board rolling. Aim for a comfortable, slow speed.
• Maintain a Relaxed Posture: Keep your knees slightly bent, your back straight, and your arms relaxed at your sides or slightly extended for balance. Avoid locking your joints.

Step 2: Initiating the Turn

• Look Where You Want to Go: This is a critical step. Your body naturally tends to follow where your eyes are focused. Look in the direction you want to turn. Don’t look down at your feet!
• Lean Gently: This is where the magic happens. To turn right, gently lean your weight towards the right edge of the board. To turn left, lean towards the left edge. It’s a subtle shift, not a dramatic one. Think about pressing slightly into the edge with your toes or heels.
• Keep it Smooth: Avoid sudden or jerky movements. The turn should be smooth and gradual. Over-leaning or leaning too quickly will throw off your balance.
• Use Your Ankles and Knees: Your ankles and knees should act like shock absorbers, allowing you to maintain balance and control as you lean.

Step 3: Completing the Turn

• Adjust Your Lean: Once the board starts turning, you might need to adjust your lean to maintain the curve. Avoid overdoing it.
• Straighten Up: As you approach the desired direction, gradually return your weight to the center of the board, straightening your posture.
• Keep Practicing: Turning consistently and accurately requires time and practice. The more you practice, the more natural and intuitive it will become.

Troubleshooting Common Issues with Simple Turns

• Falling Off: Falling off is common, especially for beginners. It typically happens because of over-leaning, leaning too quickly or not keeping a stable center of gravity. If you feel yourself falling, don’t fight it. Try to roll or land safely on your feet or hands. Try to practice in a safe open area.
• Not Turning Enough: If you’re not turning enough, it could be because you’re not leaning enough or looking in the direction you want to go. Focus on really leaning slightly into the direction you want to turn, while looking towards the path you wish to take.
• Turning Too Much: Over-leaning leads to sharp, jerky turns, which can be unstable. If you find yourself turning too abruptly, try to be more subtle with your weight shifts.
• Speed Problems: Turning at very slow speeds can be tricky and feel unbalanced. Sometimes a little bit of speed helps the board stay stable. Start at a slow but steady speed. As you feel more comfortable, slowly increase your speed.

Kick Turns – A Step-by-Step Guide

Kick turns allow for sharper, quicker changes in direction compared to simple carving. Here’s how to perform them:

Step 1: Get Comfortable Riding and Moving Slowly

• Roll Slowly: Start by getting comfortable rolling at a slow, controlled speed.
• Find Your Balance: Make sure your feet are positioned well. Your front foot should be just behind the front bolts, and your back foot should be over the tail of the board.

Step 2: Lift the Front of the Board

• Shift Your Weight: Shift your weight slightly to your back foot. This will start to lift the front of the board off the ground.
• Bend Your Back Knee: Bend your back knee to help lift the front of the board. As you bend, push down slightly with your back foot to pop the front wheels up.
• Use Your Back Foot to Pop the Board Up: The motion is similar to pressing down on a lever, with your back foot as the force pushing downwards and lifting the front of the board up.
• Maintain Your Balance: Maintain your balance. At first, it may feel awkward or uncomfortable. The key to keep your balance is to keep your shoulders centered above the board.

Step 3: Pivot the Back Wheels

• Pivot the Board: Once the front wheels are up, use your back foot and ankle to pivot the back of the board. Move your back foot in the direction you want to turn. Use your back foot to gently move the back of the board around.
• Keep the Board Balanced: Keep the board balanced on its back wheels. You’ll essentially be balancing on two wheels momentarily while you pivot.
• Aim for the Direction: Keep practicing pivoting to achieve the desired angle of change.

Step 4: Lower the Front Wheels and Ride Away

• Gently Lower: Gently lower the front wheels back to the ground.
• Balance: Make sure you keep the board balanced as you lower it back to the ground.
• Continue Riding: Resume riding in the new direction.

Troubleshooting Common Issues with Kick Turns

• Difficulty Lifting the Front Wheels: If you’re struggling to lift the front wheels, it could be because you’re not shifting your weight far enough back. Make sure to lean back on your back foot. Practice the motion of lifting the board without pivoting at first to get used to the movement.
• Unstable Pivoting: If you feel wobbly while pivoting, it might be because you’re moving the back foot too quickly or forcefully. Try to pivot with a smooth, controlled motion. Focus on keeping your shoulders centered to maintain your balance.
• Falling Off: If you fall, keep practicing. Falling is part of the learning process. Just keep trying and you will eventually master the maneuver.

Tic-Tacs – A Step-by-Step Guide

Tic-tacs are a rhythmic way to propel yourself forward and also change direction. They are the foundation for many skateboarding tricks, and are also a good exercise to build balance. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Getting Comfortable

• Get Rolling: Start by rolling at a slow, comfortable pace.
• Balanced Stance: Ensure you are in your usual riding stance with your weight centered over the board.

Step 2: The “Tic” Motion

• Lean Slightly to One Side: Lean slightly to one side of the board by gently pressing down with your toes or heels, and at the same time, gently pivot the front truck in the direction that you are leaning. If you’re starting out this could be a very slight lean.
• Lift and Move the Front Truck: As you gently lean, also use your ankle and front leg to lift the front truck slightly off the ground. This should only be a very small lift.
• Pivot the Truck: As you’re leaning and lifting the truck, pivot the truck a little to one side. You should not be lifting the front truck very high off the ground. The front wheels will not completely come off the ground.

Step 3: The “Tac” Motion

• Switch Sides: Once you’ve completed the “Tic” motion, shift your weight slightly to the other side of the board. Lean gently in the opposite direction from your previous motion. At the same time, gently pivot the front truck in the opposite direction.
• Lift and Pivot Again: Repeat the previous lift and pivot motion but on the opposite side.
• The Rhythm: Keep the movements smooth and flowing. It’s about finding a rhythm. Try not to be too jerky in your movements.

Step 4: Putting it Together

• Continue the Pattern: Continue alternating the “tic” and “tac” motions to propel yourself forward and change direction.
• Build Momentum: As you become more comfortable, you can increase the speed and intensity of your tic-tacs.

Troubleshooting Common Issues with Tic-Tacs

• Struggling with Rhythm: Practice starting slowly and focus on making each movement smooth and connected. Tic-tacs are all about the rhythm of motion, not necessarily about speed.
• Difficulty Lifting the Front Truck: If you’re finding it difficult to lift the front truck, make sure that you are also shifting your weight slightly, and leaning gently, as you pivot the truck.
• Not Going Forward: Tic-tacs aren’t always about gaining a lot of speed. But if you are struggling to move forward, it’s likely that you’re not pivoting the front truck far enough, or that you are not putting enough force into your movement.

Practice Tips for All Types of Turns

• Start Slow: Always begin practicing turns at a slow speed. This will allow you to focus on your technique without the added pressure of speed.
• Consistency is Key: Consistent practice, even if it’s just a few minutes each day, is more effective than long, infrequent sessions.
• Practice on Different Surfaces: Once you’re comfortable on smooth surfaces, try practicing on slightly different terrains. This will help you become a more versatile skater.
• Watch Videos and Get Inspiration: Watch tutorial videos online or observe experienced skaters. It can help you learn new techniques and improve your skills.
• Be Patient: Learning to turn takes time. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see progress immediately. Keep practicing, and you will eventually improve.
• Stay Safe: Wear appropriate safety gear, including a helmet, knee pads, and elbow pads.
• Have Fun!: Remember, skateboarding should be enjoyable. Don’t be too hard on yourself, and enjoy the process of learning and improving.

Conclusion

Turning on a skateboard is a fundamental skill that is essential for progressing in the sport. By mastering simple turns, kick turns, and tic-tacs, you will unlock a whole new level of freedom and expression on your board. Remember to practice consistently, be patient, and most importantly, have fun with it. With the right guidance and determination, you’ll be carving and navigating your way like a pro in no time. Happy skateboarding!