# Mohawk

Part of the Skating Merit Badge Digital Resource Guide: [Introduction & Overview](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/skating/guide/index.md)

*2. Option C — In-Line Skating*

> **2c12.** Perform a 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.

> **Tip**
>
> Practice the hip-opening motion while walking in skates near a wall before attempting the moving mohawk. The leg position needed is unfamiliar to most people and needs rehearsal before you add speed.

## Official Resources

Video: [Perform a Mohawk (video)](https://youtu.be/ytPUoplawVU)

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