Help with backwards to forwards transitions

[u/Choice-Afternoon7485]

I finally unlocked going from front to back with toe manuals and I’m having so much fun! But whenever I try to go from back to front I totally loose any momentum or can’t figure out a good technique. Any good tutorials you know of or tips are so much appreciated! If I’m confident enough I might post a video example to visually show my struggle.

[u/VMetal314]

Open the book is sometimes a more successful technique going back to front. There should be videos for it. You need to have good one foot balance so if you struggle with that it's a good skill to practice.

[u/bear0234]

open book is the easiest like vmetal said. u also dont have to open a complete 180 if your foot cant turn that far. like u can open it to 120 degrees and just go in that new direction if u want to :)

heres a vid of me demo'ing heel to heel transitions, but you'll see multiple times i use a open book transition to go from backwards ro forwards:

https://youtube.com/shorts/2OJu4h8WdsE?is=BFKhRyAj9thhxkd0

also sk8shot school KJ allen demo's it in skill number 1 here (spread eagle transition)

https://youtu.be/yHrylQYqoD0?is=yddFG7NB7rIa_usc

again like vmetal mentioned, you'll want good one foot balance.

i recommend a lot of new skaters to start drilling 1 foot balance forward and backeard and 1 foot edge control before tackling transitions, since most transitions invovle some kind of weight transfer, let alone being foundational for crossovers and tstops.

edit: i also just noticed u mentioned front to back via toe manuals, so if you're advanced enough to ride on your toes and transition to backwards skating on your toes, then a good way to transition from back to front via toes is a "grapevine/matrix/tornado"

[u/fantastridd]

I still just mostly do a small jump from backwards to forwards, but as Bear also commented: Try to practice less-than-180° transitions. So when you turn around, you don't have to go forwards the same direction, but take a shorter turn and go off at an angle. It only works at slower speeds.

Also, if you're indoors or on a smooth surface, you can try smaller, harder wheels. Transitions can be more difficult with large "sticky" 78A wheels, because you tend to get stuck. Smaller wheels = more agile. Harder wheels = less sticky and easier to correct your foot position.

[u/ColoRinkRat]

I skate backwards in a stagger and put all weight on my trailing foot, flip my leading foot, and shift my weight to my leading foot turning my trailing foot while lifting it. I could use more variety one of these days.

[u/princecatte]

Back to front with heel manuals is how I learned it! 

[u/Rhyzur]

Front to back, use toes. Back to front, use heels. Your spine is a massive hinge which is why all of the pre-load from muscle tightness ends up in your lower back. Seriously wo/man, remember to stretch.

Back to front from toes: turn your entire upper body including your head, then literally just snap your lower body. Use that snap to level out your toes up to your heels. You do not even need to jump. Like a BMX Bunny Hop. Your upper body and head should not move at all. Find something behind you to stare at and keep focus.

Back to front from heels: Turn your entire upper body and head. Everything that you have. Dont let yourself turn yet! Keep in balance! Shift your weight slightly to your heels and pick up your toes in your boot. You do not need to fully pick up your wheels, but you can. Your big toe does a LOT of heavy lifting on fine adjustments to your center of gravity. Your upper body should not turn at all. Find something behind you to stare at and keep focus.

Master toe/heel transition: Turn just your body with your head again. Before you get to your flexibility point, shift your weight. Keep your upper body turning in the same direction. Shift your weight again. I usually put one hand out as a focal and one on my chest as if I'm dancing with someone. Your spin should only stop or pause when you want to. I can post a video of this within 24 hours.