Last Updated25 October 2024

Advanced Freestyle takes a wider look at freestyle both in and out of the park, with a view to develop versatility and creative riding. This chapter shows a selection of tricks that are commonly performed at an advanced level and can be categorised into all-mountain, jumps, boxes/rails and halfpipe riding.

All-Mountain: Frontside & Backside 360s

What, Why, How

A full 360 degree rotation in the air, taking off and landing in the same riding direction.

A natural progression from 180s and often at the top of people’s trick list.

VIDEO: All-mountain 360s with Richie Johnston

On flat ground with the board off, explain the timing of rotational movements. Allow the upper body to lead the first 270 and the lower body to complete the spin.

Use a bank hit on the side of the run or similar suitable slope. Approach in a flexed, pre-wound position so the student can ride up, extend to create pop at takeoff and do an alley oop frontside 180, riding in on the heel edge and out forwards on the toe edge for frontside 360s.

Doing an alley oop backside 180, riding in on the toe edge and out forwards on the heel edge for backside 360s.

Then, by increasing the power and range of the upper and lower body separation, lessen the angle turned up the hill and spin more of the trick in the air. During the trick, tighten the core and suck the knees towards the chest. Absorb the landing on the opposite edge to takeoff, and slide the board around if under-rotated.

When the student can spin close to a full frontside/backside 360, they can take it to a feature that is more across the fall line, like a cut-out where they can land pointing in a similar direction to the takeoff.

Once the movements for either frontside or backside 360s are blending well, develop the trick by trying it off cat tracks and land on a down slope or even a hit down the fall line.

Hot Tip

Use visual markers to help students know where to look, or where the nose of their board needs to point towards. This helps with the range of rotation needed for 360s and is particularly useful when leading the first 270 degrees of rotation with the upper body, but rotating the lower body for the last 90.

Movements & Board Performance

Rotational with Spinning

The spin is led with the head and shoulders for the first 270, then the lower body follows and rotates past the upper body finishing off the last 90 degrees to land. A greater amount of separation and rotational power is needed than in a 180.

Lateral with Edging

For frontside 360s, slight pressure to lock-in the heel edge during takeoff to help avoid pre-spin (skidding the snowboard on takeoff). Landing on the toe edge will help to stop over-rotation and edge catches.
For backside 360s, slight pressure on the toe edge during takeoff will help the spin. Landing flat base or with slight pressure on the heel edge will help stop over-rotation and edge catches.

Vertical with Pressuring (Pop)

Work on retracting the legs towards the COM to give the snowboard time to rotate. Focus on flexing and extending the ankles, knees, hips and lower spine. The rider must hold their knees retracted while rotating past the point where they would extend to land in a 180.

Longitudinal

A centred stance is the key to landing on both feet. Some riders may find pressuring the tail slightly during takeoff will help.

Terrain & Group Management

Begin on trails that have natural banks on the side, then progress onto bank cut-outs before going into the park. Ensure that all students know which spin direction is best for particular cut-outs, then focus on finding features that cater to their individual preferences, be it frontside or backside spins.

Corrective Teaching

Student lacks rotation when spinning:

Ensure the rotation is released as the student leaves the lip and not before. A skidded takeoff creates friction, reducing the rider’s travelling speed and the power of their initial rotation.

Focus on tightening of the core muscles to aid spin.

Hold the knees retracted for longer when in the air.

In backside 360s, focus on looking for the landing early during the spin.

In frontside 360s, focus on a clean edge takeoff (i.e. not skidding) so they have a stable platform from which to release the rotation.

Student over-rotates on landing:

Reinforce using a slight amount of edge to aid a stable landing.

In backside 360s, have the students begin to open up as soon as they can see the landing. They can do this by gently extending their legs and spreading out their arms to slow down the rotation of the upper body. This will allow more time to rotate the lower body and complete the spin.

In frontside 360s, after leaving the lip and viewing the landing, encourage the student to turn their head and look back towards the takeoff. As they see the landing beneath them, have them open up by gently extending their legs and spreading out their arms to slow down the rotation. This will provide more time to rotate the lower body and complete the spin.

When the student develops more air and edge awareness, encourage them to land on a slight edge, to help stop their rotation.

Self Reflection

“Can my students perform all four 180s cleanly before progressing to 360s?”

“Am I building on my students’ strongest and preferred direction of spin?”