# How to Backside Kickturn

> A backside kickturn turns you around on the ramp wall with your back facing the ramp as you turn. A step-by-step guide from Skate AI (getskateai.com).

Canonical: https://getskateai.com/tricks/backside-kickturn
Last updated: 2026-10-19

Transition · Level 1 of 5 · Learn first: [Drop In](https://getskateai.com/tricks/drop-in)

## The short answer

A backside kickturn turns you around on the ramp wall with your back facing the ramp as you turn. Set your back foot across the tail and front foot near the front bolts, then press the tail down without leaning back, bending your front knee for balance. Turn your head early to lead, and let your front foot guide the board around.

## Three things to remember

1. Press the tail, don't lean back
2. Turn your head early
3. Front foot guides the board around

## Setup

Back foot across the tail, front foot near the front bolts. Press the tail without leaning back, bend the front knee, and turn your head early to lead.

## Step by step

Each step is a part of the trick Skate AI scores when you film a try.

1. **Ride up:** Ride up the transition with your back foot across the tail and front foot near the front bolts.
2. **Press tail:** Press your back foot down to lift the front wheels, keeping your weight stacked over the board instead of leaning back.
3. **Head lead:** Turn your head and look over your shoulder early, before the board starts turning.
4. **Guide turn:** Let your front foot steer the board around as your head and shoulders lead.
5. **Roll away:** Set the front wheels down facing into the ramp and roll away with your knees bent.

## Troubleshooting

### You fall backward off the ramp

**Why:** You're leaning back instead of pressing the tail down while staying stacked over the board.

**Fix:** Keep your chest and hips over the board as you press, not leaning away from it.

### The board stalls without turning

**Why:** You didn't turn your head early enough to lead the rotation.

**Fix:** Look over your shoulder toward where you want to end up before the board moves.

### You lose the turn halfway around

**Why:** Your front foot stopped steering once the head turn started.

**Fix:** Keep guiding the board with your front foot through the whole turn, not just the start.

### You catch your back wheels on the wall

**Why:** The front wheels didn't lift high enough before you started turning.

**Fix:** Press the tail down more before starting the head and shoulder turn.

## Drill

Practice pressing the tail to lift the front wheels while staying stacked over the board, without turning, then add the head-led turn once the lift feels stable.

## FAQ

### Why is backside kickturn scarier than frontside?

You can't see the ramp behind you during the turn, which makes it feel less controlled even though the mechanics are similar.

### How do I stop falling backward?

Keep your weight stacked over the board as you press the tail, instead of leaning your shoulders back and away from the ramp.

### Do I need to learn frontside kickturn first?

Not strictly, but most people find frontside easier to start with since you can see the ramp the whole time. Learning it first builds the tail-press feel.

### What if I keep stalling instead of turning?

Turn your head and look over your shoulder earlier, before the board starts to move. The head turn is what leads the rest of the turn.

## What to learn next

- Learn first: [Drop In](https://getskateai.com/tricks/drop-in)
- Learn first: [Frontside Kickturn](https://getskateai.com/tricks/frontside-kickturn)
- Next: [Rock to Fakie](https://getskateai.com/tricks/rock-to-fakie)
- Next: [Axle Stall](https://getskateai.com/tricks/axle-stall)

App: [Skate AI: Kickflip Ollie Coach on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/id6814983538)

## Related

- [New to skating? How to push, turn and stop](https://getskateai.com/how-to-skateboard)
- [All 64 trick guides](https://getskateai.com/tricks)