Snowboard Basics: Switch Riding

[clappyslapper]

holy shit, a sensible 'how to' video for snowboarding!

thumbs up!

[deathbyninja007]

What mountain is this on?

[WillGettinger]

where do you snowboard?

[disturbedeleven]

wow that was nice snow

[xpez]

If you want to ride switch mount your bindings in the opposite position and learn how to ride it the other direction. you can pussy foot around with all of this nonsense or just actually force yourself to learn how to ride the other direction.

[Bulldotser]

Its funny, how I ride with right foot forward on skateboard, but I ride left foot forward with a snowboard. It actually made it alot easier to learn how to ride switch with a snowboard

[magicsofa]

@Bulldotser nice, I'm exactly the same, but mainly because the person who taught me to snowboard said to just go left foot forward to look normal :P

@xpez I don't have to "pussy foot around" with my bindings because I ride duck stance. This nonsense about switching them sounds like a waste of time: if you have a forward stance, learn switch using that stance. Why add the extra step of incorporating switch into your riding?

[TheLizard17]

1:35 the strong foot stays in the back, not in front, because it does most of the steering.

What are you talking about?

[xpez]

@TheLizard17 strong leg in front. strong leg initiates the carve and holds the edge.

back leg can hold the edge and can add more weight to complete the carve on the last stage of the carve...

[defeatyou0]

@harrysengmnc10

Practice is the key! You have to learn it the same way as you learned goofy: failing and standing back up. Do this a day with your friends to practice: you all ride switch all day (easy slopes), if you see one of you ride regular he has to buy you a drink

[harrysengmnc10]

i ride goofey and i just cant ride normal any tips i need help please please help me snow season is here and i snow board all the time i just need some help on normal any tips thanx [and i got a go pro camera and i want to show you my first attempt at it so cool tips tips tips!!!!]

[TehMastere]

@harrysengmnc10

im goofey too, and i learned it by riding regular for 7 days straight.. no matter how many times i failed and fell. This may be a hard way, but it worked.

[saxyboii747]

@Xxsideshow22xX we are rockstars by does it offend you ? Yeah

[DrDimk0o]

should the joints be angled equally as well?

[Partylikeaturtle]

My problem is that whenever I go to switch from toe to heel (or vice versa), I catch edge and fall. I can only manage to not catch edge if I either switch very quickly or if I do a little jump to make sure I don't catch edge. I just have to keep practicing on my longbaord until snowboarding season comes up again.

[jakeyLeeee]

@Partylikeaturtle I have the exact same problem. Practice makes perfect :)

[wonderbreadkw]

my front foots fine. its just my back foot that feels really heavy

[DKGumbaProductions]

What i did to learn is learn exactly what i was doing to ride regular. I found to steer where i want to go, I would put more weight on my front foot, kinda making it a pivot point. and then to straighten it out again, i took some of the weight off of my front foot to make it more even. I took a bit to get comfortabe doing this switch, but i got it in less than a week.

[Jkub101]

what degrees do you ride?

[Xxsideshow22xX]

what is the intro song and yes i looked in the description

[Mr4433]

I learned by just doing it and crashing a billion times until i had it down.

[mrjasperdick]

I find with learning to ride switch you must actually focus on the basics that come naturally when riding normal... 1.) Point with leading arm to rotate shoulder into turn. 2.) Pick up toe (or heel) of front foot. 3.) Pick up toe (or heel) of back foot. You think about it as you do it, like learning all over again.

[just4show4]

i just learned to ride switch by going to the top and doing the hardest runs lol

[cre3perGoBO0M]

do u ever show your eyes?

[recycledproductions1]

why did i click this video..i can switch 5

[lilcopper15]

like if you rideregular like him

[zeilon1111]

where are you snowboarding ...how is the mountain called ?

[scoruinc3o3]

Helping me keep up on my terms so I can get my level 2! Awesome

[kaankoc58]

I have a question, I am going to snowboard for the first time ever this friday, but I was a skater once, is the balance between a skateboard and a snowboard the same?

Thanks

[HAPPYFUCKINGF33T]

I'm thinking about beginning Snowboarding, but I'm not really sure yet, cause I just hit 16 and I keep thinking that it's too late for me to learn Snowboarding. I'm trying to convince myself that I'm able to do it but it looks kinda hard. Wish I began Snowboarding when I was younger :/!

[saintpedr00]

@HAPPYFUCKINGF33T yr never to old to start anything

[russki111]

@HAPPYFUCKINGF33T

I learned snowboarding first when I was 18. Your never too old.

[aboutdabomb]

@HAPPYFUCKINGF33T hey man what r u talking about!! I started snowboarding last year when I was 26! Get on snowboard and you'll never regret it yo!!!

[bolloMB]

@HAPPYFUCKINGF33T obviously alot of pro's start young, otherwise the majority of boarders dont live in the mountains so they may not try, or become good at snowboarding untill theyre abit older,

[AznPretzel]

do you have the Flux Rk30 bindings??

i have those, what do you think of them?

[DarkstarNovembr]

every time i go to switch edges when im riding switch i always feel myself going 'AHHH AHH AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!' *falls over*

[thepowderdemon]

So i can ride switch in powder easily, but when i'm on ice or groomed runs i have alot of trouble with the toe side turns. What should i do?

[pailhead11]

I learned switch by doing a specific exercise. Going on one edge in regular, i'd turn, the other, and then continue turning until i make a full circle and get on the same edge in switch. Going toe to toe was 10 times easier than heel to heel here as it felt it took me way longer to finish the turn. After doing this for a while linking turns in switch became easy. 

[sierrasnowboard]

@pailhead11 - It can be a little tough to do a full circle, but half circles can be a good way to practice, C Turns.

[pailhead11]

@sierrasnowboard

As in switch all the time? 

[xSnowxBoardx10]

Is it a lot harder to learn switch with a non twin board?

[sierrasnowboard]

@xSnowxBoardx10 - It does not make it easier, but it can be done.

[Balto92]

It's like learning once again.

[sierrasnowboard]

@Balto92 - Its never too late to get back to the basics.

[kevinster27]

are all boards made for rinding both ways and how should my bindings be set up ?

[sierrasnowboard]

@kevinster27 - Most all boards are, but a twin board is the best for riding both directions. Set your angles up duck stance, around +15 front and -9 back.

[TmouniTidio]

i have my strong foot front side always! my left! but all i hear they say the strong foot must go back!i cant do with my left foot back! its hard! my strong foot is left and my strong hand is right!

[xXxXRH1N0XxXx]

how are your bindings set up? i have my left foot at a 15° angle

[sierrasnowboard]

@xXxXRH1N0XxXx - Angles 12, -12

[Samsterrz]

@xXxXRH1N0XxXx personally i like 15, -15.. test it out, everyone will have a different preference.

[Sparkler5]

I know its hard but does anyone recognize the beat after the first song when he is talking?

[sierrasnowboard]

@Sparkler5 - It is just an instrumental track from Freeplaymusic.

[ronnie224433]

thank you for not sucking like expertvillage (:

[ThoseAntonidasGuys]

I'm deaf can someone please tell me what the tips are?

[sierrasnowboard]

@ThoseAntonidasGuys - Your stance should set you up so that you are in a position to drive from end of the board to the other. Roll the upper leg out so that you are not tucking your knees.

You will want to get used to moving towards your switch nose. Focusing on the movements of the lower legs. By being in tune to the sensations that you feel through the feet and through your boots you can sense how you are positioned while riding switch.

[sierrasnowboard]

@sierrasnowboard - Practice switch riding by running through a few exercises: Falling Leaf…, Switch Traverses…, Switch Garlands…, Switch Straight Runs….

By learning to steer your board primarily through movements of your legs you can learn anything on your snowboard while riding switch.

[bassplayerdh]

i can't tell the difference between Link and switch riding

[sierrasnowboard]

@bassplayerdh - Linking Turns is connecting a toe turn to a heel turn, this can be done riding your regular direction and switch.

[guitarnoobssuck]

Will it make much difference riding switch if im riding on a directional board rather than a twin?

[sierrasnowboard]

@guitarnoobssuck - It will make a little difference, also your stance can effect your switch riding. But most all boards have turned up tails which makes them fine for riding switch.

[GamerguideJ]

what song at the start?

[sierrasnowboard]

@GamerguideJ - We are Rockstars by Does It Offend You

[vestre94]

Plz help :D I have to make a little jump with the back foot to get to the "right turn" position! xp Is this my bindings, or my fear of digging the left edge into the snow, and fall? o.O

[sierrasnowboard]

@vestre94 - Think about the front foot leading the way into the turn from edge to edge and the back foot following. If the tail of your board is catching you are not getting the back foot into the game. Think about the front foot starting and back foot following the same action to smooth out your turns.

[Poobel]

Doug has got style ! :D Indeed much better than expertvillage!

[MrHockeyplaya31]

he's got some pretty nasty lookin falls at the beginning

[iiottoii]

this is my 3rd time going snow boarding. They pretty much forced me to go regular but now ive gone twice and i got my turns down and got linking down it feels akward. I tried riding switch on my left forward board but next time i go i'm guna go right first.

[stevethepokieman]

Is it easier to ride switch if you have your back foot angled out?

[sierrasnowboard]

@stevethepokieman - Use a duck stance to help ride switch. I ride 12, -12.

[masterofbaters]

Man these tutorials are awesome...good job...more motivated to board now

[Fepl]

Really nice video's! I have quite some experience as skier/snowboarder but i've never had "lessons" so it's always nice to get some tips. Never too late to learn!

I do have a question. I rent my gear cause i can't afford buying for now. I'm quite tall and 'athletic' and my feet are pretty big. I'm about 6ft3inches (191cm), weight is about 198 pounds (90kg) and i have a shoe size 12. Is it safe to say i need a wide board? Is this a disadvantage? I do basic tricks, deep snow, speed, etc.

[raahr]

@Fepl

I was an instructer and suppose I still am at heart to some degree. I would just watch videos of abe teeter and chris engelsman. You are not at a disadvatage, because you're tall upper body always has the ability to create a lot more leverage, but your big feet definately make edge to edge more difficult if you don't acknowlege it. thinner boards are more squirrelly edge to edge and can be A LOT faster though less "stable." Just make sure you have no toe drag and that your boots fit well

[vwasic]

hi there

is it necessary to have take duck stance to ride switch ? thx

[SerendipitousJ]

Can you learn to ride switch with unidirectional board?

[sierrasnowboard]

@SerendipitousJ - You can ride switch on pretty much all boards. What do you mean by unidirectional? Give me an example.

[TheDCshoesdude]

its weird i snowboard reg and skate goofy

[sierrasnowboard]

@TheDCshoesdude - not at all

[PictureeProductions]

@TheDCshoesdude I do that aswell

[TheRetardFriends]

@TheDCshoesdude i have same thing its lot easier to skate at goofy but its too hard to skate at regular =/

[Imdoingyourself]

@TheDCshoesdude same for me

[PaintballMontage]

@TheDCshoesdude SAME!

[poopeyzi]

i just have problems turning toe side switch

[sierrasnowboard]

@poopeyzi - Make sure to look off the nose of your board rather than straight down the hill. Check the alignment of your body and control using the front foot to start the turn.

[adje00rs]

@poopeyzi I have the same problem, I can turn heelside switch but toeside switch feels weird and like i loose control of the board

[AvidLifestyle]

@adje00rs Thats crazy...I can charge it top speed switch backside carve (toeside), but frontside (heelside) switch, is awkward for me.. I can still do it, but slower and more sketchey... I think when I have some long days in, I'm goinmg to strap in switch and take multiple runs only switchstance.. A good 20 runs should cure it for me I think!

[Baseballt97]

What angles do you use?

[sierrasnowboard]

@Baseballt97 - I ride 12, -12

[Baseballt97]

Thanks

[Baseballt97]

I just got Burton custom bindings and I don't no how to tell what angle they are at

[sierrasnowboard]

@Baseballt97 - It says on the disc what angles you have them set at.

[JJEEBOY]

so uch better than the expertvillage shit

[run41]

you rip bro

[GraffitiClown94]

do you have toe cap bindings?

[sierrasnowboard]

@GraffitiClown94 - yes

[g0t91]

i can't ride switch if my life depended on it....

[tubecruser]

@g0t91 i have these problems too, but i keep trying. i am already a pretty good freerider and pretty well powder rider, but i have a lot of problems turning switch

[addictedtolax062397]

@g0t91 well do u have a directional board? i can ride down black diamonds but i tried and i cant ride switch on a bunny hill. is it cause i have a directional board?

[g0t91]

@addictedtolax062397 i have a 2010 Burton Custom

[airbornevet231]

@addictedtolax062397 its more than likely just because switch is a royal pain in the arse to learn. I was in the same boat this yr, and I was on a true twin. regular, I hit diamonds all day, and starting in the parks. Switch, however made me feel like my first trip all over again....on a dam green no less.

[lBlakeBailey]

whats the song at the begninning

[sierrasnowboard]

@lBlakeBailey - We are Rockstars by Does it Offend You

[GuitarHeroes257]

hey , my stance is 15-15 and i am comfy being riding regular as much as i am riding goofy. Lets say in the middle of the year i decide to always ride goofy, will i have to change the stance? please reply, thank you !

[sierrasnowboard]

@GuitarHeroes257 - You can, but if you are on a True Twin Snowboard it is all the same.

[CrisanFenrir]

great videos, I have seen a lot of them and are really good tips

what do you recommend to improve the control on goofy and regular? I'm goofy foot but I'm very clumsy on regular riding xD

and binding angles to do it, 12-12, 15-15 isn'?

thank you very much!

[sierrasnowboard]

@CrisanFenrir - Either of those angles are great for your switch riding.

[superbeastly123ify]

hey doug im just starting snowboarding and i want to try park, what should i have my binding angles set up as?

thanks

[sierrasnowboard]

@superbeastly123ify - Try 12 in the front and negative 12 in the back.

[LILREDShreddin]

@sierrasnowboard 15 15 is the best!

[mjbArthers]

@LILREDShreddin It definately is

[sierrasnowboard]

@LILREDShreddin - It really depends on rider preference. Symmetrical Stances are a great way to become a stronger and more balanced rider.

[sweetkokanee]

@sierrasnowboard -I agree you really need to play with your bindings to find which angles are most comfortable for you. I also ride 15 -15.

@superbeastly123ify- Try changing your angles every few runs, it may be a pain at first but once you find what works for you and what doesn't you will enjoy your runs down the hill a lot more.

[911jediknight911]

@superbeastly123ify yeah, what these guys said. I ride 15-15 but 12-12 wouldnt hurt either

[sierrasnowboard]

@iLiiChKiMZz - Happy we could help. - Doug

[Stubpidity]

Custom V-Rocker with Purps Cartel EST bindings... Mad set up

[malachaihough]

switch ridin should really be practiced with an inter-expert mid flex twin board, Beginner boards will do the job but its a longer way to learn something that seems so straight forward on a better board.

[sierrasnowboard]

@malachaihough - You can learn switch riding on almost every board. The best board is soft flexing and True Twin. It should not be learned on a Intermediate-Advanced Board. These boards have too high of a performance to promote quick progression.

An ideal board to learn switch riding is the Sierra Stunt.

[Freerideboy2007]

@sierrasnowboard th sierra stunt is an burton blunt right ?

[sierrasnowboard]

@Freerideboy2007 - For the most part.

[sierrasnowboard]

@dman4440 - As posted below, We are Rockstars by Does It Offend You

[wooferpoofer]

I think it's about time I start learning to ride switch but I'm concerned about my setback. My back foot is all the way back, my front foot is up one hole and my board has a built in 2" setback. Should I consider moving the bindings up?

My angles are 18, -3, should I consider changing them as well?

[sierrasnowboard]

@wooferpoofer - Use reference on your board, but think about getting more of a twin board. Your angles can be adjusted to 15, -9 to get you started.

[MegaHorse88]

I didn't know Doug could actually ride! Good job Douggie

[sierrasnowboard]

@MegaHorse88 - :-) Thanks

[hugosk8]

hey! nice videos!

can you please tell me whats the song at the beginning of your videos?

[fredjudd]

i dont know who its by but its titled "does it offend your yeah"

[sierrasnowboard]

@hugosk8 - We are Rockstars by Does It Offend You

[MrRazmuss]

good site got my 09 burton fix and burton cartels for only 360$

[shh90]

hey! thanks for the tips, cant wait to try them out tomorrow! i was wondering if you can help me out a bit with my binding angles though. i am at the point where regular riding is really easy for me, but i was wondering what the proper angle of my bindings should be. what angle on each binding is best for riding both regular and goofy. thanks!

[sierrasnowboard]

A good place to start is 15 in the front and -9 in the back.

I ride 12, -12.

[dontmesswiththehorns]

What boards are you using?

[sierrasnowboard]

2010 Burton Custom V-Rocker in most the footage.

[dontmesswiththehorns]

@sierrasnowboard thanks i was just wondering which board the one is at 0:09 when you fall.

[sierrasnowboard]

The 2009 Burton UnInc 157.

For 2010 this board is known as the Easy Livin'

[tyrantt23]

Yup... there's nothing like a day in the Hood! :D

[betaballa15]

can i get an all mtn board with a setback stance, center it then learn switch? (directional twin/twinsh)

[ckledzeppelin]

yeah, just as long as you don't have one of the swallow tail snowboards

[sierrasnowboard]

You may not end up centered in reference to the sidecut.

Best bet is set up using the reference point and then work on your switch.

Example: the Custom should be set up using reference rather than trying to center for the best ride. This will set you up centered on the sidecut of the edge.

[JBeylovesyou]

Excellent video ! In one week, i'm going to snowboard (2nd Time in my life) so this video is great for me :)

[Isenseven1080]

Nice video...What kind of coat do you have on...it's B.A. and im looking to buy a new one

[sierrasnowboard]

Thanks

I have on The White Collection Transition Jacket.

Check it out at Sierra Snowboard, it is currently in stock and marked down 30%.

[LEG1N4M3NT]

your vids help a lot

[turtoes]

What will the next video gonna be on?

[sierrasnowboard]

We have a Beginners Guide, Key to Basic Airs and a Key to Scoring Grabs Videos coming out next.

Thanks for your support.

[ttrerifsa1]

where is this mountain?

[sierrasnowboard]

This is a number of different mountains. All west coast: Mammoth CA and Mt Hood, OR mostly.

[ttrerifsa1]

ahhh i love me the mt.hood

[DELTAFORCE1981]

Sweet, Thanks Doung. and P.S love your riding style and all your vids. do you have a page just for your vids?

[sierrasnowboard]

No page for just my footage yet, thanks though.

[DELTAFORCE1981]

Yeah, right on. Thanks for posting this, now I just have to take this info and put it to practical use. Also I was wondering what kind of setup Doug is riding on there.

[sierrasnowboard]

@DELTAFORCE1981 - In most of this video I am riding the 2010 Burton Custom V-Rocker 154 with Medium Cartel Bindings.

Stance 22.5" wide and angles 12, -12