Snowboard Club UK (SCUK) FAQs (frequently-asked questions)

This is probably your starting point in the world of snowboarding tricks. It is better to learn basics such as spinning on the surface of the slope rather than 5 feet above the slope. Here are some of the most common jibbing tricks increasing in difficulty:
1) Riding Fakie
Riding fakie (switch stance) is simply riding with your front foot at the back and your backfoot at the front. Sounds easy? Well it is not! Everything you have been working so hard to master such as edge control and carving turns is suddenly totally new again as everything you do is suddenly the other way around. Riding Fakie is very important however in learning tricks. It is often the starting and/or ending stance of a trick and it will help you when you are unable to finish a trick and must land halfway.

Learning how...
It is best simply to dig deep into your snowboarding history and go back to where it all started: traversing a slope and slowly learning how to make skidded turns while riding fakie. Simply go back to the Beginner Course as mentioned on this site and do everything with a switched stance. Once you are comfortable with riding fakie you can mix it up in your normal riding and take turns in riding/turning fakie and regular.

2) Ground Spins - 360s
Up till now you have made turns that were probably 180 degrees at most. With this trick you keep on turning until you have turned a complete 360 degrees and keep on boarding in the same direction.

Learning how...
It is actually the same as any regular toe-sided or heel-sided turn. You just need to keep on turning and as your board turns uphill it will stall at a certain point. At that moment you will need to switch edges and keep on turning until you are completely turned around. As your skills improve you can make ground spins at higher speeds and while riding fakie. Try to master spinning both frontside and backside.

Wheelies
A wheelie is riding with one tip of your board facing up, loose from the surface. Building up the power and technique to lift either your nose or tail will prepare you for more advanced tricks.

Learning how...
Tail wheelies with your nose up on the air are easiest to learn for most snowboarders. On a gentle slope try to lean backwards and lift your front foot. As you practice you will notice how you are able to pull your nose up higher and keep it from the surface for a longer time. Once you have learned Tail Wheelies you can try to perform them switch stance on your tip.

Variations...
Blunt Nose Slides are wheelies that are performed sideways. Start riding sideways, put your weight on your front leg and pull your back leg up. You will be sliding sideways on the front third of your snowboard with your backfoot and tail in the air. If you perform this trick on your tail it is called a Switch-stance blunt nose slide.

Ollies

Is one of the most regular jumps using the spring of the tail of your snowboard to get airborne. Ollies are the basic move for many, many aerial tricks and are also useful for jumping over small obstacles. Nollies are Ollies but then you use your nose to spring off and lifting your back foot first.

Learning how...
On a gentle slope crouch slightly on your board. Now jump up powerfully with your front foot first. Now use the spring in your snowboard to jump up with your backfoot. Level your board in mid-air and raise your knees to your chest. Land with both feet at the same time and with your board almost level. If your nose is pointing down then your nose might dig in causing a crash. If your tail is pointing down too much you might land with too much weight on your backside causing your snowboard to slip underneath you. Once you have mastered Ollies, try Nollies by putting the weight on your front foot and jumping up with your backfoot first. By spinning 180 degrees you can end up fakie and ride on.
Nose & Tail Rolls
Rolls are made by either using your nose or tail to spin 180 degrees and thus switching your stance. They are a cool way of starting to ride fakie or go back to regular.

Learning how...
It is similar to a wheelie but you put in a 180 turn in the progress. As you ride move your weight to your front leg and straighten it, lift up your backleg and slide your board 180 degrees. Once your board is turned 180 degrees and facing your riding direction again put your board down again and ride on. Practice both nose and tail roles.
Air to Fakie
Is nothing more then an aerial nollie. As you are riding regular stance, jump up and turn your board 180 degrees in the air. Land and ride on fakie.

Learning how...
You do not need to jump up very high to perform this trick. Just make sure to rotate your board and keep your balance while rotating in mid air. Make sure to land on both feet again.