Tailwhips are one of the most impressive looking tricks on a scooter. They look difficult, but it’s one of the easier tricks to learn with a little bit of practice.
Beginners who just entered the world of scooter tricks can also perform this move with proper guidance.
This post is for you if you’re willing to learn how to tailwhip on a scooter. We’ll go over what a tailwhip is, how to do one, and some troubleshooting tips in case you’re having trouble.
How To Tailwhip On A Scooter? (Step By Step)
A tailwhip is a move where the rider flips the scooter around 360 degrees, all while keeping their body stationary. The rear end of the scooter will make a complete revolution in the air before the rider catches it and continues riding.
Let’s now move on and see the step by step guide on how to perform a perfect tailwhip on a scooter.
Step 1: Get the Right Stunt Scooter
The mistake most beginners make is trying to learn this move on their regular kick scooter. But, if you want to perform a tailwhip or any other tricks properly, then you need a stunt scooter. It is because;
A stunt scooter is built to perform tricks and can handle the impact of big jumps and hard landings.
Also, it’s lightweight, making it easy to handle in the air.
Step 2: Wear Proper Safety Gears
Before you start learning the tailwhip, you must wear proper safety gear. Make sure to wear a helmet, pads, and gloves to minimize the risk of injury.
Step 3: Get positioned on the scooter
The first thing you need to do is get in the proper position on the scooter. You want to be in the middle of the scooter with both feet on the deck.
Your front foot should be in the front of the deck, and your back foot should be in the back. You also want to lean forward by bending your knees for a bit to have more control over the scooter.
Step 4: Grip the Handlebars
Now you need to grip the handlebars and ensure that your fingers are properly positioned. You want to grip the handlebars tightly with your fingers wrapped around.
Also, keep your hands free and easy, so you can quickly let go of the handlebars when needed. Don’t hold on too tight, or you’ll risk getting thrown off the scooter when you do the tailwhip.
Step 5: Get The Speed
The next step is to get the speed. You need to be going fast enough so that you can make a complete revolution in the air but not too fast that you can’t control the scooter.
Once you get enough speed by kicking through your back foot, you’re ready to do tailwhip, so get your back foot on the deck.
Step 6: Jump
The key to a successful tailwhip is jumping at the right time. You want to jump just as you’re about to reach the end of the scooter.
As you jump, you also want to pull up on the handlebars and tuck your knees in close to your chest. This will help you get more rotation in the air.
Step 7: Spot The Landing
Once you’ve learned to jump in the air, it’s time to start thinking about landing. You want to spot your landing before you even leave the ground.
This will help you know where you need to place your feet when you catch the scooter. It’s also important to land with both feet on the deck to have more control over the scooter.
Step 8: Get 360 degree Rotation In The Air
Now it’s time to start rotating in the air. You want to get a full 360 degree rotation before you land.
The easiest way to do this is by using your handlebars to help you rotate. As you jump, pull up on the handlebars and twist your wrists in the direction you want to rotate.
Using your arms will help you get more rotation and make it easier to land the tailwhip.
Step 9: Catching The Scooter
Once you’ve rotated 360 degrees in the air, it’s time to start catching the scooter. You want to place your back foot on the deck and then reach down with both feet.
Make sure to land with soft knees so you don’t get thrown off the scooter. Also, keep your front foot close to the handlebars so that you can quickly grab them if you start to fall.
Step 10: Land The Trick
The final step is to land the trick. You want to land with both feet on the deck and your back foot in the back.
Also, make sure to keep your knees bent so that you have more control over the scooter. Once you’ve landed the tailwhip, you can start riding away.
Tailwhip is a great trick that looks impressive and can be used to set up other tricks. With practice, you’ll be able to land this trick consistently.
Additional Tips
- When you first start learning how to tailwhip, practicing in a safe environment is essential. Find a spot where you can ride without hitting anything and plenty of soft grass can land in.
- As you start to get more comfortable with the trick, you can start practicing in different areas. You can try tailwhips on ramps, boxes, and other objects.
- The most important thing is to keep practicing and don’t get discouraged if you don’t land the trick right away. It takes time and patience to learn how to do a tailwhip on a scooter, but it’s worth it when you finally land the trick.
- Keep an eye on deck when you’re in the air so you can spot your landing easily.
- To reduce the impact on your knees when you land, try to land in the middle of the scooter with bend knees.
- Don’t try to tailwhip too high in the beginning. It’s better to start with small jumps and work your way up. You can jump higher as you get more comfortable with the trick.
- Most importantly, have fun and enjoy learning how to tailwhip on a scooter. It’s a great feeling when you finally land the trick after all your hard work.
If your kid is a beginner, you can learn how to teach a toddler to ride a scooter.
Conclusion
Tailwhip is a great trick that looks impressive and can be used to set up other tricks. With practice, you’ll be able to land this trick consistently. Just remember to start practicing in a safe environment and to keep your knees bent when you land. Have fun, and enjoy learning how to tailwhip on a scooter!