Req 2c12 — Mohawk

A mohawk is a direction-change technique borrowed from ice skating: you transition from skating forward on one foot to skating backward on the other foot without stopping. The result is a smooth, continuous change of direction. It is one of the most elegant transitions in in-line skating.

How to Perform a Forward-to-Backward Mohawk

1. Skate forward at a moderate pace. The mohawk works best with some momentum.
2. Pick a turning direction — say, a left mohawk.
3. Glide on your right foot. Shift your weight to the right foot and begin a forward glide.
4. Open your left hip. Rotate your left hip outward (externally rotate the hip joint) so your left foot naturally turns to point away from your direction of travel — heel toward heel with the right foot.
5. Step onto the left foot, backward. Set the left foot down pointing opposite to the direction of travel (heel-to-heel alignment). Your weight transfers to the left foot as it begins moving backward.
6. Lift the right foot. Once balanced on the left foot in backward motion, lift the right foot and begin skating backward.

The transition from forward-right-foot to backward-left-foot is the mohawk. Done smoothly, there is no pause or step — just a continuous, flowing direction change.

Common Challenges

Not opening the hip far enough. If you cannot get heel-to-heel alignment, practice hip external rotation exercises off skates first. Stiff hip mobility is the primary limiter for this skill.

Losing speed through the transition. At first, the weight transfer will feel hesitant and cause a speed loss. As the motion becomes natural, speed maintenance improves.

Official Resources