This exercise is aimed at making sure you are centered on your snowboard, balanced over the edge you are on (toe edge).

If you’ve come across this by random or just starting out, read the ‘Snowboard Freestyle Technique’ for a solid stance and progression to all other tricks. Then practice the following before attempting any of the 180’s – trust me, it will help.

Make sure there is no ‘twisting’ going on with either you upper or lower body. If there is, this will throw you off balance.

[shminislideshow id=”3″]

Stages

  1. Setup: Traverse across the slope on the uphill edge – eyes forward. Flex your ankles, knees, hips and spine in order to prepare to ‘pop’ off the snow.
  2. Take off: Extend your ankles, knees hips and spine in an upwards motion off both feet at the same time. Staying centered over you board as you do this, using both your upper and lower body to create the ‘pop’.
  3. Trick: In the air, maintain a centered stance over your board bringing your legs up under you.
  4. Landing: Get ready for the landing by slightly extending your legs down – land centered over both feet.

Tips:

  • Make sure you are not hunched over (bending/breaking at the waist), this will put you off balance when popping off your edge.
  • Practice this until you can get a good ‘pop’ landing back on the same edge with both feet at the same time. Just a couple of inches of the snow to start off with,then as you grow in confidence try to go higher.
  • Extend upwards quicker and with more force and you’ll pop higher – remember though, the harder you pop the stronger your body framework and edge control must be.

Challenge: Try doing repetitive pops across the slope to challenge yourself making it look smooth. Then do it all again, but switch.

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.

Subscribe and stay up to date with the latest news, articles and weekly snowboard tips.