Skateboarding will always have its roots in surfing, and turning is just like riding on waves. With the proper technique and understanding of momentum, you can increase your board control and knowledge of how to ride different terrain. Skateboards are primarily used for cruising, but there’s a reason why professionals can ollie and flip their boards with expertise. This article teaches you how to turn on a skateboard.
Skateboarding is all about riding from point A to point B or tricking off of obstacles; however, there’s a small part that is just as important: turning. Turning makes you a better skateboarder because it helps you control the board and to stop wherever you want.
“How do I turn As A beginner?”
You have to lean your body in the direction of the trick. For example, if you’re going to turn right, shift your weight to the left, and vice versa. Practice this by shifting your weight on an actual skateboard (without moving it) while balancing on it. Make sure you shift your body weight in the direction of where you want to go – this is very important. As a beginner what kind of skateboard do you need. I recommend a list of the best skateboards for beginners.
“I keep losing my balance when I try to turn.”
As you learn how to turn, expect some serious falls. Try turning on a surface that is smooth, like your living room floor. If you try doing turns on rough terrain or an uneven surface, it’s going to be more difficult because of the changes in levelness. As with all skating tricks, balance is key!
TIP 1:
Always wear your helmet and other protective gear when riding. You never know what can happen while you’re riding, so be prepared for anything! Also, find a good skatepark to practice turning, and don’t try any tricks you haven’t mastered yet: better to do a few tricks correctly than a lot incorrectly. It’s better to work on your skills at a skate park than to try doing tricks on your driveway because you’ll have a smoother surface.
TIP 2:
When turning, think of the pressure points as having a triangle shape with the inside points being the “turning point” and the outside points being where you will pivot from. You apply pressure to the board where the triangle shape reaches the board to turn it.
TIP3:
Make sure you don’t have too much weight on your front or back foot because this will cause you to lose control easier since they are off-balance. If you’re having trouble with turns, try practicing them at a skate park where there is less danger of falling down.
TIP4:
If you feel like you’re going to fall, let go of the board and don’t try to ride it out. You’ll end up breaking something or hurting yourself if you keep trying to hold on. In addition, when riding at a skate park, make sure there is someone controlling the park who isn’t skating so that if something were to happen, they could quickly come to your aid.
Why Won’t My Skateboard Turn?
While you might think that your skateboard will spin around on its own if you simply learn to move, there are a few factors that play a role in turning a skateboard. The wheels and the board itself need to be in the right position in order for it to turn easily. They should have enough speed going in order for them to turn easily as well. If any of these factors are missing, then you might have a hard time making your skateboard turn.
The Wheels
Wheels play an important part in being able to make your skateboard turn properly. The wheels should be facing the right direction and have enough speed going for them to easily turn. For example, if you try to turn when going slow, then the wheels will not have much traction and will just slide out from underneath your board. In order to avoid this problem, be sure that when turning, there is enough speed in order for the wheels to easily rotate.
The Pressure
In order for a board to turn properly, it requires the rider to lean in the direction that they want to turn. For example, if you wanted to turn left, then you would have to put pressure on your toes and pull your front foot out like you were trying to kick something. Do not put too much pressure on your back foot when trying to make a turn because this could result in sliding out.
Something to keep in mind is to not put too much pressure on your toes or back foot. This will cause the board to slide out if there is not enough speed for it to easily turn. Try keeping most of your weight on your back foot.
The Board
Another important part of making a board turn is having the right size board. If you have a longboard, then it is going to be hard for you to make sharp turns or even turn at all. It might feel like the board is going to slip out from underneath your feet if you try and make a sharp turn without enough speed.
In order to avoid this, avoid using longboards unless there is a lot of space to use it. Also, if you are going really fast and try making a sharp turn, make sure that the board is long enough where your back foot will not touch the ground when you try to turn. If it does, then there might be a chance that the board would slide out from underneath your feet.
Having enough speed is also an important factor when it comes to being able to turn your board properly. If you try making a sharp turn without enough speed, then the wheels will not have enough traction and could easily slide out from underneath your feet.
All in all, there are three other factors that play into being able to make a smooth turn on a skateboard. The board, the wheels, and your weight all play a role in being able to turn on your skateboard. If any of these factors are missing, then it might be difficult or even impossible for you to make a turn.
Types of Skateboard Turn
Kickturing
Kickturning is a skateboarding trick that can be used at any time to maintain or gain speed. Kickturns are usually done on sloped surfaces, so they are also useful for navigating staircases. Kickturning requires the skateboarder to have one foot on the board with its front facing the direction opposite of the turn (downhill skateboarders will usually use their back foot), and the other leg off of the board. Kickturning is commonly combined with “nose manuals”, where the front wheels touch to allow the nose of the skateboard to move without touching the board, which can help to reduce friction on flat surfaces and allows for faster riding. Kickturning has the advantage of being able to be used anywhere but is most effective when riding downhill or using a board with small wheels. Kickturning can also be used to quickly turn around at intersections after completing a trick, which allows for short chase scenes in skate videos.
Carving
Carving skateboards are made for skateboarders who think skateboarding isn’t only meant to go straight. Carve skateboards are designed so skaters can skate on them with ease and slip through sharp turns with speed and quick swipes of the foot. Carved skateboards, also known as directional boards, come in many lengths but the most popular skateboard is the skateboard deck, which is typically 7.5 inches wide and 29 inches long. Carved skateboards can be made from different materials such as balsa wood, basswood and maple. Many skaters prefer to buy skateboards that are already carved out instead of carving their own because it saves them time and effort. Carving skateboards is a good way for skateboarders to train and skate on a board that will give them an advantage when skateboarding.
Conclusion
Skateboarders are always looking for new tricks to help them get the edge on their competition. One of these tricks is learning how to turn a skateboard in an effortless, yet the still impressive way that will wow your friends and onlookers. If you want to know how to do this trick, then read below!