Choosing Your Snowboarding Stance

For anyone who has looked at a snowboarder before and pondered just how simple it likely is to stand on a board and go down a mountain, you've never done it. Snowboarding is not simply about standing on a waxed board and sliding through snow. It might be if you are still on the bunny slopes, but at a certain point, it gets more complicated. For those beginners out there, a quick rundown of the basics of merely standing on your snowboard will suffice for showing you how even stance can be problematic.

When you first start out in snowboarding you have to make the basic decision of how you would like to stand. You cannot simply hop on and hope for the best. It's like choosing whether you're right or left handed. Simply put, you can't choose.

Basic Stance

There are two basic ways to stand on a snowboard. The first of these is to put your left foot forward. Known as a regular stance, this is the most common method as most people are right handed and feel more comfortable on it.

However, there are a ridiculous attitude in which you put your right foot forward. Although this is less common, some people feel they have this board in style when it's convenient.

For those who have no experience on a table, be it skateboarding or surfing, you probably already know exactly what style is best for you. Do not assume that right when you're Goofy on a skateboard, you're Goofy on a snowboard though. Occasionally, change these settings withsports.

You should try both methods first, preferably before sliding down a steep mountain face.

Practice

You might not think of it right away, but any time you do something with your feet you're likely putting one foot forward before the other. By practicing in a few everyday activities you can figure out which foot that is and use it while snowboarding. Methods for deciding might include riding your bicycle and seeing how your feet rest when coasting or comparing which foot you step off with in basketball or soccer. Anything that displays your foot preference is helpful here.

Setting the Stance

Another thing many people don't realize is that they have to set the width of their own stance. Snowboards don't come with preset dimensions that you must conform with (though they can if you'd like them to). Instead, you must choose the proper width and adjust your bindings accordingly. For this, you should make sure you are balanced and comfortable and that the width is only slightly wider than your shoulders.

Angling

Another important part of setting your stance and the bindings is the angle at which your foot sits in relation to the board. Often, this will fall between 10 and 30 degrees, but you should check to ensure that the angle you have is comfortable for you. Try it out a few times and adjust as necessary. Nearly every aspect of your feet on that board is adjustable and you should continue Setting up to right.

Finally, remember not to copy another person's attitude. Yours is unique and is in front of you. All the others have their unique position. Snowboarding is a great outdoor sport that has made even better when you can take the time to ensure that you feel are on the table.