View on Instagram
It all begins with the basics. Tic-Tacs and Kick Turns can open up an entire new world of radness for beginner skateboarders and they're pretty much essential for taking your skating to the next level. And honestly... they're just fun to do! Ripping skater (and of course, former Olympian), Amelia Brodka breaks down the process for us in the video above. Is your board nearby? Press play, take notes and get out there!
Step 1: Understanding the Basics
Okay, you're standing on your board and you've mastered rolling in a straight line. Honestly, that's epic—you're already on your way! But now it's time to learn how to turn and control your board even more. In the video, Amelia suggests that you start on some grass, dirt, or even carpet just so you can get comfortable lifting your front wheels and turning your board. Just FYI—turning in the direction your toes are facing is "backside," and turning towards your heels is "frontside." But more on that later!
Step 2: Proper Foot Placement for Control
Foot positioning is basically one of the most important things in skateboarding, whether you're a beginner or a seasoned professional. There's a technique to everything you do on your board, and turning is no different. You want to place your back foot firmly on your tail (the back of the board) without your toes hanging off, if possible. (No biggie if they're a little off, but just make sure it's planted strong). This is essential in keeping control when it comes time to pivot backside or frontside. Your front foot is more or less there to help with weight distribution, but your back foot is in charge here.
Step 3: Common Mistakes to Avoid
Now, keep in mind, mistakes are going to happen. Totally fine! As you see in the video, Amelia mentions a few things you'll want to avoid once you've mastered proper foot placement. If you find yourself sort of slipping out or feeling awkward, you might be lifting your front wheels too high (or leaning back too hard). It's super important to keep your weight centered over the board as best as you can. Even that might take some practice in itself, but it's super important! Remember—you want to control your board...don't let it control you!
Step 4: Moving From Flat to Ramps
Okay, you're rolling and turning on flatground and your ready to take it up a notch! You see everyone having fun at your local skatepark, turning on quarter pipes, ramps and banks, and you're itching to do the same. Enter: the "kick turn"—the next step in your progression. You definitely want to start on a mellow bank or slope (honestly, even a super mellow driveway will help you gain confidence) and ease into the process slowly. Don't even stress on full turns right off the bat, just do what feels right, but keep it going. In time, you'll work your way up to a full kick turn (whether frontside or backside) and trust us when we say, you'll start feeling that buzz of confidence from there! Soon enough, you'll be unlocking sections of the skatepark you've always dreamt of.
Step 5: The Kick Turn 'Cheat Code'
Like I mentioned earlier, there's a technique to everything you do in skateboarding, from rolling to ripping. Some folks might consider these "cheat codes" and they're priceless little nuggets of wisdom for all skill levels. The one Amelia mentions in the video isn't just helpful, but easy to grasp and super effective all the same. What you want to do is use your front hand to point in the direction you want to turn. Might seem too simple, right? Fair. But trust us—it works! Your shoulder will naturally follow the direction you're pointing, which will make the turn smoother and way more comfortable. It might even speed up the process a bit!
Step 6: Are Frontside Kick Turns More Challenging?
Now, I don't have an actual percentage, but for whatever reason, learning backside kick turns seem to be the natural direction most skaters originally learn. It was like that for myself and pretty much all my friends growing up, and that's totally fine. Turning frontside might be a bit more challenging (or rather, less natural-feeling) since you're sort of turning blindly. But remember the "cheat code" we just talked about? Use it! As you approach the bank or ramp, just point your front hand and turn your head in that direction. Again, it might be a bit more challenging than backside, but it will feel so rewarding to master.
Step 7: Practice and Progress
What's next? Well, I'll just say this: practice, practice, practice! The best way to progress is to have fun and appreciate the process. Stay positive and get out there as often as you can. Like anything, start small and get comfortable. Comfort and confidence are key, and both come with time. Don't worry about how you look, how your tricks look—none of that! It's all part of the journey. Even Tony Hawk had to learn kick turns at one point, and well, now he's Tony Hawk. Catch my drift? Embrace it all! Every session will get better and hey, who knows, maybe we'll see you in the Olympics in a few years!? We can all dream, right?
Just keep in mind, all of these steps take some effort and patience! Don't let the difficulty intimidate you. Just keep getting out there day after day, and soon enough, you'll be surprised at your progress (and chances are, so will your friends and family). Like anything, practice makes perfect! But hey, don't even strive for perfection. I can't stress it enough—just have fun and enjoy the process. Good luck out there!
