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Last Updated7 November 2022
The Movements of Snowboarding explores how snowboarders balance and move on their equipment, the different movement options, and the methods in which these movements can be applied. As an instructor it is important to understand how to balance and move efficiently in order to achieve specific outcomes.

High Performance Stance

At this level a rider should have developed a strong stance on both edges and show the ability to be reactive in their response in managing the increased forces. They are now ready to explore the whole mountain and develop new stance options that will enable them to ride more challenging terrain at faster speeds and with higher performance. They will also need to become more proactive, rather than reactive, to help them deal with this.

A high performance stance will allow the rider to create effective movements in any direction, to help increase or regulate performance, whilst maintaining a constant smooth and balanced path with the COM. As discussed earlier, the COM changes as the rider moves into different positions on the board. A high performance stance allows us to be more proactive with our COM.

Proactive Balance

Being a proactive rider focuses on assessing and understanding the problems before they happen, rather than reacting as they happen. Anticipating what is about to happen gives a rider more time to adjust and respond accurately and effectively. The outcome is the most efficient and fluid riding for an individual, in any specific situation. A high performance stance helps to achieve this.

A high performance stance will be slightly different for all riders and tasks. It is constantly moving and adjusting, and includes the following:

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A lower COM and more flex throughout all joints, including the spine.
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The hips and shoulders in a more rotationally open position, often aligning to the same angle of the front foot.
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Allowing the hips to move slightly over the back foot, ensuring that the front knee and ankle both stay flexed.
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Maintaining strength through the back leg, yet suppleness in the front leg.
This rotationally open position allows the rider a greater range of movement through the whole body. This enables the rider to create more edge, be more powerful with steering, and regulate pressure faster, without having to shift their COM too far inside the arc of the turn.

This position also allows the possibility of creating different angles through the shoulders, to align them to the pitch of the slope. When used appropriately, this can aid stability at high speeds and help to maintain pressure when riding with increased edging. This is not only beneficial in carving, but also in many aspects of freestyle and freeriding.

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