What are the top techniques for snowboard jumps?

August 23, 2024

Ollie

Alright, let's talk about the Ollie. This is the trick that opens up a world of possibilities in snowboarding. It's the foundation for many other tricks, so nailing it is super important.

Start by riding at a moderate speed in your regular stance. Keep your knees bent and your eyes looking straight ahead.
Crouch down and lean back slightly to load up your board. This gets it ready to pop off the ground.
Spring off your back foot and pull your front foot up to get the nose of your board in the air.
Suck your knees up to your chest by pulling your back leg into the air. This helps you get more height.
Level out your legs in the air so your rear foot is as high as your front foot. This ensures a flat landing.
As you reach your peak height, start to straighten your legs to prepare for landing.
When you make contact with the snow, bend your knees to absorb the impact and ride away smoothly.

Remember, always bend your knees when you land to avoid injuries. Practicing smaller jumps can help build your confidence and improve your technique.

Congrats, you've just landed your first Ollie! Keep practicing, and soon you'll be ready to tackle more advanced tricks. The Ollie is your ticket to mastering snowboard jumps and adding some serious style to your rides.

Nollie

Alright, let's talk about the Nollie. This trick is like the Ollie but with a twist—you're popping off the nose of your board instead of the tail. It's a bit trickier, so take it slow at first.

Start by leaning forward slightly to load up the nose of your board. Don't overdo it, just a little lean will do.
Spring off your front leg, and follow the same leveling out and landing process as you would with an Ollie.

The key to a good Nollie is focusing on pulling up on your back binding to get the most height possible. Eventually, you'll suck up your front knee to level it out. This maneuver is complex and needs to be fully coordinated, but once you get it, you'll be flying high!

Tail Grab

Alright, let's talk about the Tail Grab. This trick is a classic and a must-know for any snowboarder looking to add some style to their jumps. Here's how we do it:

Get some air: First, you need to get a good amount of air. This means hitting a jump with enough speed and confidence.
Reach back: As you reach the peak of your jump, reach back with your trailing hand (that's your back hand) and grab the tail of your board. Make sure you're grabbing the actual tail, not the sides.
Hold it: Hold the grab for as long as you can. The longer you hold, the cooler it looks.
Release and land: Let go of the board and prepare for your landing. Bend your knees to absorb the impact and ride away smoothly.

The Tail Grab is all about timing and balance. It might take a few tries to get it right, but once you do, it's a game-changer. Keep practicing, and you'll be nailing it in no time.

Remember, the Tail Grab is a fundamental trick that can lead to more advanced grabs and spins. So, keep at it and have fun out there!

Indy Grab

Alright, let's talk about the Indy Grab. This trick is a classic and a must-know for any snowboarder looking to add some style to their jumps. Here's how we do it:

Jump off like you normally would, but this time, reach down with your rear hand to grab the board between your legs.
Hold the grab until you reach the peak height of your jump.
Release the grab, bend your knees for the landing, and ride away like a pro!

Remember, your leading hand should stay extended straight out to keep your positioning centered in the air. Look straight ahead to spot your landing.

The Indy Grab is a great way to add flair to your jumps and is a stepping stone to more advanced tricks. Let's get out there and nail it!

Melon Grab

Alright, let's talk about the Melon Grab. This trick is a classic and a must-know for anyone looking to add some style to their jumps. The Melon Grab is all about reaching outside your leading knee and grabbing the heel edge of your board between the bindings with your lead hand.

Steps to Nail the Melon Grab

Get Some Air: First things first, you need to catch some air. Whether you're hitting a jump or just popping off the ground, make sure you get enough height.
Reach Down: As you reach the peak of your jump, extend your lead hand down and grab the heel edge of your board between the bindings. Make sure to keep your balance.
Hold and Release: Hold the grab for a moment to show off your style, then release and prepare for landing.
Land Smoothly: Bend your knees as you land to absorb the impact and ride away clean.

The Melon Grab is a great way to add some flair to your jumps and show off your skills. It's a fundamental trick that every snowboarder should have in their arsenal.

Remember, practice makes perfect. The more you work on your Melon Grab, the more natural it will feel. So get out there and start grabbing!

Stalefish

Alright, let's talk about the Stalefish grab. This trick is a classic and a must-know for any snowboarder looking to up their game. The Stalefish is all about style and control, and it looks super cool when done right.

First things first, you need to get some good air. The higher you go, the better your Stalefish will look. Once you're airborne, reach down with your back hand and grab the heel edge of your board between your bindings. This is the key move for the Stalefish.

Steps to Nail the Stalefish

Get Air: Make sure you have enough speed and pop off the jump to get some good height.
Reach Down: As you reach the peak of your jump, bend your knees and reach down with your back hand to grab the heel edge of your board.
Hold the Grab: Hold the grab for as long as you can. The longer you hold it, the better it looks.
Release and Land: Let go of the grab and prepare for landing. Bend your knees to absorb the impact and ride away smoothly.

Practice makes perfect. The more you practice your Stalefish, the better and more stylish it will become. Remember, it's all about control and confidence.

So, next time you're out on the slopes, give the Stalefish a try. It's a fun trick that will definitely impress your friends and take your snowboarding to the next level.

Method

Alright, let's talk about the Method. This trick is a classic and a must-know for any snowboarder looking to up their game. It's all about style and control in the air.

Getting Started

First things first, make sure your Bindings are set up correctly. You want to feel comfortable and secure before attempting any jumps.

The Approach

Speed: Approach the jump with a moderate speed. Too fast, and you might lose control; too slow, and you won't get enough air.
Stance: Keep your knees bent and your weight centered over the board. This helps you stay balanced as you hit the jump.

In the Air

Once you're airborne, here's what you need to do:

Grab: Reach down with your back hand and grab the heel edge of your board between your bindings. This is the signature move of the Method.
Tweak: Pull the board up towards your back, bending your knees and arching your back. This gives the trick its stylish look.
Spot Your Landing: Always keep an eye on where you want to land. This helps you prepare for a smooth touchdown.

Landing

Release: Let go of the grab and start to straighten your body as you come down.
Absorb: Bend your knees to absorb the impact and ride away clean.

Practicing on a trampoline can help you get the feel of the trick without the risk of a hard fall. It's a great way to build confidence and master the movements.

The Method is all about combining style with control. Once you nail it, you'll feel like you can conquer any jump on the mountain!

Frontside 180

Alright, let's talk about the Frontside 180. This trick is super versatile and can be done on flat ground, off jumps, or even onto and off of boxes. Before you try it, make sure you're comfortable riding switch because you'll need to land your rotation switch.

Steps to Nail a Frontside 180

Practice on Flat Ground: Start by practicing the spin on flat ground without a jump. Find a low-traffic area with a slight slope.
Use Your Arms and Head: Rotate your arms and turn your head to look where you want to land. This helps keep you on track.
Dig Your Heelside Edge: As you ride with a centered stance, dig your heelside edge into the snow like you're going to turn. You'll feel the board slip.
Swing Your Back Arm: When you feel the board slipping, swing your back arm around to the opposite side and turn your head to look over that shoulder. This keeps you moving straight.

When you're ready to take it up a notch, try doing a Frontside 180 over small rollers or jumps to get some air. Wind up your arms and torso before takeoff to complete the rotation before landing.

The Frontside 180 is a great trick to add to your snowboarding skills. It helps you get comfortable with rotations and prepares you for more advanced tricks.

So, grab your snowboards and give it a shot! Whether you're using freestyle snowboard bindings or just your regular setup, this trick is a must-learn. Happy shredding!

Backside 180

Alright, let's talk about the Backside 180. This trick is the opposite of a frontside 180. Instead of leading with your heels, you rotate so that your toes lead. When you're going downhill with your left leg forward, you rotate in a clockwise motion until your right leg becomes your leading leg.

Steps to Nail a Backside 180

Get Comfortable Riding Switch: Before you even think about trying a Backside 180, make sure you're comfortable riding switch. You'll need to land your rotation switch, so practice riding switch on flat ground first.
Find a Good Spot: Pick a low-traffic area with a slight slope. Nothing too crazy, just enough to get some momentum.
Set Up Your Stance: Ride along with a centered stance. Dig your heelside edge into the snow like you're going to turn. You'll feel the board start to slip.
Initiate the Spin: As you feel the board slipping, take your back arm and gently swing it around to your opposite side. Turn your head to look over that opposite shoulder. This keeps you moving straight. If you look uphill or downhill, you'll end up off-axis and fall in the direction you're looking.
Get Some Air: When you're ready to take it to the next level, try 180s over little rollers or jumps. Wind up your arms and torso before takeoff since you can't do it in the air.

The key to a smooth Backside 180 is all in the setup and the initial spin. Make sure you're comfortable with each step before moving on to the next.

And there you have it! The Backside 180 is a super fun trick that adds some style to your riding. Give it a shot and see how it feels!

Frontside 360

Alright, let's talk about the Frontside 360. This trick is like doing a classic 180 in the air, then performing another 180 right after. Sounds cool, right? But it’s a bit tricky and needs some practice.

First, make sure you're comfortable with 180 turns. If you’ve got that down, you’re halfway there. The key to a smooth Frontside 360 is to get the 360-degree turn right before you jump. Here’s how we do it:

Wind Up: Before you take off, wind up your arms and torso. This helps you get the momentum you need for the full spin.
Takeoff: As you jump, start the rotation with your shoulders. Your board will follow your upper body.
In the Air: Keep your knees bent and stay compact. This helps you spin faster and stay balanced.
Spot Your Landing: Look for your landing spot as you complete the spin. This helps you prepare for a smooth touchdown.

Remember, practice makes perfect. Start with small jumps to build confidence and work your way up.

And hey, don’t forget your Snowboard Helmet. Safety first, always! Also, if you’re into backcountry riding, a Splitboard can be a great addition to your gear.

So, who's ready to nail that Frontside 360? Let's hit the slopes and give it a shot!

Ever tried a Frontside 360? It's a cool snowboarding trick that spins you all the way around while facing forward. If you want to learn more about this trick and other snowboarding tips, check out our blog. We've got tons of easy-to-follow guides and fun articles.

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