Straight Runs & Direction Changes (J-turns)

To build confidence and balance whilst sliding downhill for the first time and develop good movements to turn the board. One footed J-turns will also help with the exits on different types of lifts.

Straight Runs

Direction changes (J-turns)

Lateral & Vertical with Edging

When straight running, encourage students to remain balanced over a flat board. Any movement laterally away from the board may result in an edge catch, a slip and/or a fall. Focus on even flexion of ankles, knees and hips with an upright upper body to encourage their slightly flexed basic stance. When changing direction for the first time, a slow and progressive lateral movement of the lower body is required, focusing on the ankles, knees and hips to make the board tilt. A subtle lowering of the COM vertically will help here.

Longitudinal

Within both tasks, a longitudinally centred stance is the focus to provide stability and efficient longitudinal alignment. Longitudinal range can be explored during straight running to challenge students. When making turns with one foot strapped in, it’s important to remain longitudinally centred so that the entire effective edge is gripping evenly.

Rotational with Steering

The focus within both tasks is to maintain rotational alignment with the snowboard and the direction of intended travel. When rotational movements are required for turning tasks, the focus is to use whole body rotation smoothly and progressively to enable subtle steering and pivot of the board.

The riding speed should be no faster than walking pace to build comfort with balance in motion. J-turns are the first task that regular and goofy riders will be turning in the opposite direction while on the same edge. Different options to manage this include separating regular and goofy riders so that they can turn away from each other (needs more space), and having all students turn the same direction, regulars on their toes and goofys on their heels, then vice versa (needs less space.)

During overcrowded times or in busy learners’ areas, there might not be enough room to make a J-turn as big as you would like. In this circumstance, ensure you still take time to develop balance over an edge from which to create steering and pivot (skid).

You can use a smaller area, even one without an ideal slope. If the area is too flat then you can rely more on the skating power of your students. If the area is slightly too steep then you can start with the board pointing more across the fall line and allow the rider to essentially traverse slightly before turning their body to turn the board all the way across the fall line.