Four simple stages to learning (or perfecting) how to ollie on a snowboard by means of written, pictorial and video illustration.

If you’ve come across this by random or just starting out, read the ‘Snowboard Freestyle Technique’ post for a solid stance and progression to all other tricks.

Want more POP – The more actively you ‘drive’ out the front leg followed by the back, the more the board will bend and in turn result in more pressure building up in the tail. Use this as well as a final tweak with the front shoulder and leg to load up the tail more, ultimately giving you more ‘pop’.

How to do an Ollie on a snowboard (regular)
How to Ollie on a snowboard (goofy)

Stages

  1. Setup: Ride in flat base centred over your board with good body alignment. Start in a low stance by flexing your ankles, knees, hips and spine. Shift your body over the board towards the tip – this will create some forward momentum and help with the following stages. – Frame 1. –
  2. Take off: Slide the board out under you, first drive out (extend) the front leg and then the back, raising the lead shoulder at the same time shifting pressure to the tail. – Frame 2. – Next, push off the loaded tail (back foot), using the energy in the board to launch you into the air. Use both your upper and lower body together in this action, not just the legs. – Frame 3. –
  3. Trick: In the air, draw the board up under your body and use your arms for balance. Tip the lead shoulder down slightly to create a smooth arch in the air. – Frames 4. and 5.-
  4. Landing: Extend the legs slightly ready for landing. Land on both feet head up eyes forward and compress to absorb the landing. – Frames 5. and 6.-

DO NOT try to physically lift or raise the nose to early with your front legs – make sure you shift back over the tail of the board first. Let the nose raise off the snow naturally via this action, only then should you increase the pressure in the tail by lifting up the front leg and lead shoulder.

Tips:

  • Keep your eyes looking in the direction of travel – this will help your body stay in line
  • Pick a spot in the snow to pop over (help timing and co-ordination).
  • If you have trouble landing flat base (you land either on your knees with hands down or on your bum!) – check that you are staying centred over the board while in the air. taking off on a flat base and not using one of your edges instead.
  • Want more air time? Make sure to extend with the upper body and just lift the legs up under you, imagine you have a piece of string attached to your head and as you pop you are getting pulled upwards.

Slow motion video of the ollie added below – filmed in Davos / Klosters with Synergy Snowsports


Struggling? Leave a comment and I’ll do my best to help you out

Where to go from here

If you like this post, be sure to check out more like this in the Freestyle Tips & Tips category. Or, if more technical riding articles are you thing, then check out the Techincal Riding category.

If you would like to know where and what courses I will be coaching within the UK and Europe this year, please refer to my Calander.

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