The cutback takes you in a wide turn from the shoulder back into the power of the wave. Prerequisites, wave choice, kite position and typical mistakes.
The honest answer first: a cutback is the wide turn with which you swing on a wave from the shoulder, the flatter part, back into the steep, powerful part. It keeps you in the power of the wave and is the first step from a straight line to real wave riding. The IKO wave programme does not name the cutback under that name; it lists bottom turn and off the lip, floater and snap back as manoeuvres [1]. The cutback belongs to the same family and builds on the bottom turn.
Why you should be honest with yourself here: the cutback is not a beginner manoeuvre, even if it sounds simple on paper. It requires that you read a wave, keep speed and lead the kite so it does not fall out of the window. IKO describes as a basis: on small waves you learn timing, positioning and wave behaviour so you can surf bigger ones later [1].
I classify it as intermediate: it requires directional riding, the jibe and a bottom turn. This guide explains the principle and does not replace a coach.
Observe first before you ride: where does the wave break, where is the shoulder, how long does it hold? IKO advises that after each wave you pass, you already look at the next one and head for the less steep part [1]. Milestone: from the beach you can show where you would enter.
With the bottom turn you set your ride into the wave. It gives you speed and direction for everything else. Milestone: you ride the bottom turn on small waves with speed.
You ride along the wave and hold height. In side-off-shore wind the kite stays mid-window at about 45 degrees according to IKO, in side-on-shore it constantly swings from one side of the window to the other [1]. Milestone: you hold the line without the kite falling out of the window.
When the wave flattens and speed drops, you steer the board in a wide turn back to the steep part (practice). The radius is large, not tight. Milestone: you return into the wave without sinking.
The kite stays stable, the body works. If you pull on the kite in the turn you lose speed (practice). Milestone: you ride the cutback with a calm kite.
Falling is part of it. IKO says: if you fall, keep tension in the lines, watch your board and do not stay in the breaking zone [1]. Milestone: after a fall you leave the wave safely.
In the wave it is not only about your kite. The board can hit you in the back, the kite can front stall, the lines can wrap around you [1]. That is why IKO says: check that your line cutter works, and if you cannot relaunch the kite quickly, trigger the quick release [1].
Also: anyone who does not know the right-of-way rules on the wave lives more riskily. Many riders do not know them, so always keep your distance [1]. And: in a German survey "own incompetence" was the most common cause among kitesurfers, 36.7% [2]. Ask for help earlier rather than later. This guide does not replace supervised training.
Count waves, not attempts: set yourself a fixed number of waves per session on which you only practise bottom turn and line before you try the cutback. If you understand the wave you need fewer attempts. (practical experience)
The bottom turn sets your entry into the wave, the cutback takes you from the shoulder back into the powerful part. The IKO wave programme explicitly lists the bottom turn [1].
The turn shape yes, the feel for the wave no. IKO recommends practising timing on small waves [1].
Small. IKO gives the example that a crash in front of a 60 cm wave is usually unproblematic, in front of a 3 m wave it can be serious [1].
No. The IKO programme lists the wave manoeuvres both with straps and strapless [1]; which setup you choose you clarify with your school.
One-Footer: Taking One Foot Out of the Strap in a Jump