just turning / pivoting

[beandog]

Okay as always I feel really stupid asking this, but whatever.

Was skating around practicing tonight when I realized I can't turn worth beans. I guess I never really worked on it, and I suck at it. I can pivot just fine when I'm stopped or going *really* slow, but even then only to the right (I ride regular).

So, the thing I can't figure out is, how the heck do you balance, and what do you do with your arms / torso? I'm lost. What I do is I'll push back on the tail a bit and start to move, but usually slam my front foot back down immediately. One thing I noticed tonight that helps is leaning back into the tail to give you more balance (I was always leaning forward, which probably explains slamming my foot down).

anyway, any hints?

[sk8sweetjumps]

nah dude, i cant remember what i do, it just comes naturally, you'll get a feel for it eventually i guess, its not very hard at all

[Sk8 Or DiE]

just keep your center of balance. skating always seemed to come natural to me.i dont know like the more you ride around the easier it comes. And to turn lean to the side you want to turn.

[Grand Poobah]

What foot do you push with? From your description it sounds like you are pushing mongo, which may be setting you off balance. You are supposed to push with your back foot (right if you ride regular).

[frontside_slapp]

Keep practicing. If you're just getting started, try not to be too demanding on yourself. If you skate regular-foot (left foot on the front of the board), and you're learning to turn to your right, that's a backside turn, and what most people feel comfortable with learning first.

To help you turn/kickturn, turn your upper body in the direction you want to go. You can use you arms to help give you momentum in the direction of your kickturn as you learn. Before long, you'll be kickturning left and right continuously, which is called tick-tacking. When you lift your front wheels off the ground, try to center your weight over the back truck. After you've made your turn, set/stomp/place your front wheels back down.

Keep trying and you'll pick it up in no time!

[Ramp]