THE VERY SIMPLE THEORY OF GOOD SNOWBOARDING

Summary

In this video, the presenter discusses the core elements of effective snowboarding, focusing on a simple two-step sequence for successful turns: Edge change followed by the turn. The key rule is crossing the center of mass over the board at each edge change, ensuring grip and control. The video demonstrates how bad technique can still result in decent turns, but improper edge changes lead to poor performance. The presenter emphasizes the importance of mastering this fundamental principle before diving into other advanced techniques, offering viewers a solid foundation for improving their snowboarding skills.

Takeaways

• 😀 The mountains in Hintertux, Austria, are an excellent destination for extending your snowboarding season outside of typical winter months.
• 😀 Good snowboarding is based on a fundamental two-step sequence: Edge change and then turn.
• 😀 The key rule for effective snowboarding is crossing your center of mass over the board during every edge change.
• 😀 Edge changes should not involve twisting or rotating the board; the goal is simply to roll the board from one edge to the other.
• 😀 By implementing proper edge changes and turns, you can still snowboard well even with bad posture or technique.
• 😀 To improve snowboarding, focus on crossing your center of mass over the board at every edge change, moving it from behind the board on the heel edge to in front on the toe edge.
• 😀 If you don't cross your center of mass over the board during the edge change, you will likely end up kicking the back foot out, which causes loss of control and poor grip.
• 😀 Not crossing the center of mass over the board leads to skidded turns, which are inefficient and lack grip, especially on steeper terrain.
• 😀 The proper sequence for a good turn is: Edge change -> Turn -> Edge change again, repeating the sequence on various terrains.
• 😀 Practicing edge changes correctly is crucial for improving your snowboarding, and it should be prioritized over other techniques like retraction turns or knee steering.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video?

The video focuses on explaining the fundamental sequence for performing good snowboard turns, particularly emphasizing edge change and the importance of crossing your center of mass over the board.

What is the two-step sequence that is crucial for a good snowboard turn?

The two-step sequence involves first making an edge change, and then performing the turn. These steps are crucial to ensure grip and control while snowboarding.

Why is crossing the center of mass over the board important?

Crossing the center of mass over the board is essential because it allows the board to grip the snow effectively during edge changes, ensuring a controlled and smooth turn.

What happens if you don't cross the center of mass over the board?

If you don’t cross your center of mass over the board, you may end up kicking out your back foot, leading to skidding, losing control, and poor edge changes, which will negatively affect your snowboarding.

Can you still snowboard well with bad technique?

Yes, the video demonstrates that by following the correct sequence (edge change, then turn) and crossing the center of mass, you can still ride well even with bad posture or technique.

What is the mistake that leads to skidding during turns?

A common mistake is not crossing the center of mass over the board during the edge change. Instead, the rider may kick the back foot out, causing the board to skid and lose grip.

What is the difference between edge change and the actual turn?

Edge change is the action of rolling the board from one edge to the other without rotation, while the turn starts after the edge change is completed and the board grips the snow.

What is the consequence of practicing snowboarding techniques without focusing on the center of mass?

If you don’t cross your center of mass over the board, no matter how much you practice techniques like retraction turns or knee steering, your turns will still lack control, and your edge changes will be ineffective.

How does the board behave during a proper edge change?

During a proper edge change, the board rolls from one edge to the other, allowing it to grip the snow and follow a smooth, controlled track through the turn, without any twisting or rotation.

What is one of the key takeaways from the video?

The key takeaway is that crossing your center of mass over the board at the edge change is essential for performing a good turn. This is fundamental to good snowboarding, and without it, you won’t get the desired grip and control.