Last Updated1 June 2022

How the Snowboard Performs explores the outcomes of blended movements through use of timing, power and range, and how the snowboard performs with edging, pressuring and steering. As well as the various movement options an instructor needs to understand how the snowboard should perform for specific tasks and outcomes.

Board Performance

Board performance refers to the actual outcome within the snowboard or what is physically happening to it during a turn or trick. When movements occur laterally, rotationally, vertically or longitudinally the board is manipulated to tilt onto its edge, torsionally twist, pivot around an axis, or flex and bend (otherwise known as cambering and de-cambering).

The edging of the snowboard is affected by tilting and torsionally twisting the board, predominantly through use of lateral movement. Pressure is created and managed as the snowboard flexes and bends, both from nose to tail and cambering/decambering, through a combination of vertical and longitudinal movements. Steering is created through rotational and lateral movements primarily, and is a balance between the amount of pivot and tilt used.

By understanding the way a snowboard performs, an instructor can accurately describe what should happen or what is actually happening to the board in any given task.

To fully understand how edging, pressuring and steering work in relation to the turn or a trick, it is necessary to have a knowledge of the side-cut, length, camber profile and flex of a snowboard (see Snowboard Equipment for further reading).

Edging

Edging is used to increase and decrease grip on the snow surface. During the initiation of a turn, edging in the snowboard must decrease, or flatten to allow it to change edges. In effect, this is the edge angle of the board reducing to a flat base before increasing again on the new edge. This may occur as torsional twist to flatten the snowboard at one end before the other, or it may be tilt through the entire running length of the board. Edging of the snowboard will then continue throughout the completion phase of the turn.

The angle and the rate that the board is twisting or tilting will greatly affect the path the snowboard will take, as well as the performance, unless influenced through pressuring and steering.

Here are some key points about edging the snowboard:

As a board is torsionally twisted, edge grip will be released and the nose of the board will seek the fall line. The amount of twist used, and rate at which it is applied, will affect the release of edge grip at the start of the turn.

Higher edge angles will create more edge grip and, with momentum, the result is less skid and an increase in speed as the board starts to carve.

Lower edge angles will generally result in skidding of the board through less grip on the snow.

The amount of edging required, and the rate at which it is applied, is dependent on the terrain, snow conditions and task the rider is trying to achieve.

It should be noted that edging of the board may need to be completely eliminated at times, especially when riding boxes and rails.

Pressuring

Pressuring is used to create, manage, distribute and release flex and bend in the snowboard. Within a turn, pressure is generally released in the initiation phase to allow for an easier edge change. As the board moves onto the new edge, pressure can be applied from somewhere within the control phase (where exactly depends on the turn) through to the completion phase. Pressure is then released again through the initiation phase.

Pressuring of the snowboard during a turn has a direct relationship to edging. The faster the board travels and the higher the edge angle, the more the board will bend or flex through the forces acting on it (see Turn Forces for further reading). Pressure can also be distributed to different parts of the board, such as the nose, the tail, the centre or throughout the whole board. This is used in many freestyle aspects but can also be applied in turns.

Once pressure has been applied to the snowboard, at some stage it will have to be released. How the pressure is released will affect the overall outcome. Most snowboarding relies on efficient, progressive management and regulation of pressure to suit the task and terrain.

At times, pressure will be the only performance being utilised. For example, in an ollie or nollie, where there is no edging or steering required, just creating a large increase in pressure, flexing the tail of the board, then a rapid release (or rebound) of pressure.

Here are some key points about pressuring the snowboard:

Managing pressure through the centre of the board will bend the entire running length, enabling even edge grip.

Distributing more pressure towards the nose of the board will make the tail lighter. Using twist to initiate a turn may become easier as a result.

Directing pressure towards the tail when riding through the completion of a turn can help to increase edge grip.

Pressure should be increased and decreased as smoothly as possible, relative to the terrain, turn or trick.

Steering

Steering is used to help direct the snowboard in the desired direction of travel. During a turn, it is best applied once edging and pressuring of the snowboard have begun. Steering is most prominent from the control through to the completion phase of a turn.

The amount of steering that is needed, or can be applied, is directly related to the degree of edge and pressure in the snowboard. In most cases steering begins in the leading half of the snowboard, around the front foot, with the back half following.

Here are some key points about steering the snowboard:

A lower edge angle will enable the board to pivot easily, allowing a smaller turn, if desired. Creating a small turn with a higher edge is only possible with an appropriate increase in rotation.

As the edge angle increases and pivot becomes minimal the board's side-cut has a greater effect on the steering.

Distributing pressure along the length of the board also has a significant effect on steering. Pressure towards the nose will make steering easier, whilst pressure towards the tail makes steering harder or less efficient.

The aim in most turns is to remain centred to enable efficient steering. The timing and amount of steering needed will vary depending on the task and terrain being ridden (see Understanding Steering Angle for further reading and a video). In some situations there may be a need to eliminate all edging and pressuring whilst steering, like in a boardslide on a box or rail. In this situation, steering is better referred to as pivot.

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