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Table of Contents
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.
Park Jumps: 180s
What, Why, How
Spinning frontside and backside 180s on a park jump.
To bring 180s from outside to inside the park.
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Outside the park, ride edged takeoffs in the fall line and practise 180s based on preference (forwards frontside, forwards backside, switch frontside and switch backside), depending on the preferred spin direction and whether they would like to takeoff or land switch.
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Use timing tasks to practise the approach and takeoff relative to an imaginary lip of a jump. Use drawings/lines or obstacles/snowballs/gloves as tools to create the imaginary lip.
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When inside the park, ensure that appropriate speed is taken to make the sweet spot in the landing. Refresh the concept of a safety edge in the event of under-rotation. Warm up with a few straight airs before spinning.
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Switch straight airs (or just rolling over the jump switch) could be used to develop the takeoff or landing, depending which 180s will be attempted.
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Explain what to expect for the first attempt of the trick, including where to look and commit.
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Add versatility by doing 180s in the four different directions or by adding grabs to 180 spins that are already comfortable.
Hot Tip
Mark out where the approach zone changes to the takeoff zone and place something level with this to the side of the jump. Have your students adjust their approach line so that they are riding onto their takeoff edge as they enter the takeoff zone. Then have them focus on timing their pop as the nose of the board leaves the lip of the jump.
VIDEO: 180s in the Park with Guy McCully
Movements & Board Performance
Vertical & Rotational with Pressuring & Steering (Pop & Spin)
Timing of vertical extension and rotational release relative to the lip of the jump is key. Pre-wind will be minimal in a 180 but can be used to help with timing. When releasing the pre-wound position (the legs should be smoothly extending as the upper body is rotating into the spin), the board will ideally leave the lip of the jump as the upper body passes into an aligned position with the board.
Lateral with Edging
Focus on smooth movements in the ankles and knees for backside 180s and knees and hips for frontside 180s to produce an edged takeoff. Ensure that the upper body is kept stacked over the hips and over the board to minimise excessive directional drift off the lip of the jump.
Longitudinal
A longitudinally centred position is key to promote stability at takeoff and into the trick zone.
Terrain & Group Management
For tasks outside the park, use mellow terrain that is consistent and preferably with low traffic. Inside the park, monitor emotional changes in students when transitioning into the park environment. Take it easy to ensure that a calm approach is taken to all aspects of the first attempt, especially the pace at which you deliver information. Set the tone for a lesson that feeds progression and the desire to try new tricks.
Corrective Teaching
Student’s snowboard turns early/too much on the lip of the jump (common in frontside 180s):
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Focus on the timing of the rotation for the trick to make sure that rotation is not used too early.
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Ensure the setup turn is a mellow, edged/carved, open turn to make sure that more pivot is not used in a deeper, skidded, more closed turn.
Student under rotates the spin, landing with the board at 90 degrees across the landing:
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Review pre-wind to help with rotational momentum into the trick.
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Encourage use of more power in the rotational movement direction when releasing the trick.
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Once in the air, focus on tightening the core muscles to keep the upper and lower body turning more as a single unit.
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Review where to look to promote smooth, continued rotation from take off through the trick zone.
Student has trouble riding into or out of a trick switch:
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Review elements of the linked turns progression in switch to increase confidence riding switch.
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Reinforce movements fore and aft to aid initiation with the new front foot.
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Challenge your student with switch flat base tasks including hops to develop the movements required to takeoff and land in their switch direction. Develop if needed with switch straight airs.
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Ensure the size of the feature is suitable for their comfort and skill level.
Self Reflection
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“Do my students understand the benefits of improving their switch riding and are they prepared to practise?”
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“Is my student able to perform 180s outside the park, down the fall line with a clean edge?”