The kickturn is one of those skills that shows up everywhere once you know it, tight sidewalk corners, quarter pipe walls, changing direction mid-line. It’s a simple pivot on your back wheels, but getting it smooth and controlled takes more precision than it looks like from the outside.
What a Kickturn Actually Is
A kickturn pivots the board on its back two wheels, swinging the nose through an arc while your back wheels stay roughly in place. It’s related to a manual in that you’re lifting the front of the board, but instead of balancing straight ahead, you’re rotating through a turn.
Two Places You’ll Use a Kickturn
On flat ground, a kickturn lets you change direction sharply without carving a wide arc, useful for tight spaces or sudden direction changes. On a ramp or transition, a kickturn lets you change direction against the wall of the ramp itself, a foundational skill for riding transitions and quarter pipes.
How to Kickturn: Step by Step (Flat Ground)
Step 1: Roll at a Comfortable, Slow Speed
Start at a slow, controlled roll rather than trying it from a stop or at speed. A moderate, steady pace gives you enough momentum to pivot smoothly without being hard to control.
Step 2: Shift Weight to Your Back Foot
Shift your weight back to lift the front wheels slightly off the ground, similar to the start of a manual, but only lifted enough to pivot rather than sustained balance.
Step 3: Pivot Your Hips and Shoulders in the Turn Direction
Rotate your upper body in the direction you want to turn, and let the board follow your shoulders and hips through the pivot. Your body leads the turn; the board follows.
Step 4: Set the Front Wheels Back Down in the New Direction
As the board completes its pivot, set the front wheels back down pointed in your new direction, and continue rolling. A clean kickturn flows directly into riding away without a pause.
How to Kickturn on a Ramp: What’s Different
On a ramp, you’re pivoting against the transition wall itself as you approach it, using the wall’s slope to help lift your front wheels rather than doing it entirely with weight shift on flat ground. Riders typically start practicing ramp kickturns on a mellow quarter pipe or the bank of a mini-ramp before working up to steeper transitions.
Common Mistakes
- Turning your feet without turning your hips — the pivot is driven by your upper body rotation, not just foot pressure.
- Lifting the front wheels too high — this is unnecessary on flat ground and just adds instability; a small lift is enough to pivot.
- Losing momentum mid-turn — too slow a starting speed makes it hard to carry through the full pivot smoothly.
- Stiff shoulders and arms — a rigid upper body limits how far you can rotate through the turn.
Drills That Speed Up Progress
Slow-Speed Pivot Practice
Practice small, controlled pivots at very low speed on flat, open ground, focusing on smooth hip rotation rather than speed or sharpness of the turn.
Bank Practice Before Ramps
A gentle bank ramp is a good middle step between flat-ground kickturns and a full quarter pipe, letting you get used to the wall interaction with less commitment than a steeper transition.
FAQ
Is a kickturn the same as a manual?
No, though they share the front-wheel lift. A manual is sustained balance on the back wheels rolling straight; a kickturn is a quick pivot that changes direction. See our How to Do a Manual on a Skateboard guide for the balance-focused version.
Do I need speed to kickturn?
A little momentum helps carry you through the pivot smoothly, but you don’t need much. Too little speed makes the turn feel abrupt and harder to control.
Why does my kickturn feel jerky?
This usually means the pivot is coming from your feet and ankles rather than your hips and shoulders leading the rotation. Let your upper body initiate the turn.
What should I learn before trying a kickturn on a ramp?
Comfortable flat-ground kickturns first, plus confidence riding transitions generally. Our How to Drop In on a Skateboard guide is a good companion skill for ramp riding.
Final Thoughts
The kickturn rewards smooth hip rotation over sharp foot movements, practice it slow and controlled on flat ground before taking it to a ramp. Once it feels natural, it opens up tighter lines and transition riding you couldn’t access before. For more foundational tricks, see our Skateboard Tricks for Beginners guide.
