bs 360 indy trick tip

a fs 360 indy is one of the smaller spin tricks out there and is pretty basic, but dont be fooled, perfecting this trick can be a doozy to some people. so this is a basic guide of how to perform this trick.
1.visualize doing the trick while looking at the jump, plan how you will approach it. make sure to have watched a couple of videos of this trick so your pumped to land it and have a clear image of what the trick looks like
2. just air over the jump a couple of times to get a feel of where you have to start from so you will definitly make the landing (you dont wanne hit the knuckle trying this). this will be where you will start from to try your 360 indy.
3. Approach the jump with good speed, make sure your knees are bent into a good crouch. as you approach the jump lean on your toes a bit.
4. use your arms and shoulders to prewind before you hit the tranny. when you reach the transition of the jump start a slight heelside carve to help with your rotation.
5. as you reach the lip of the jump huck your arms and shoulders out into a fs spin and look over your shoulder,where your head goes your body follows, this is key in all rotation and off axis tricks.( make sure to tuck your knees up to your chest to get a nice boxy stance in the air)
6. once you have spun about 90 grab an indy. hold your grab until you reach a 270 and look down between your bindings as you let go of your grad and spot your landing.
7. stomp it and go get high 5s from all your buddies because you have just landed a fs 360 indy!

The simple strategy for becoming a snowboard prodigy

I love the time of year when all the new snowboard videos are released and I get to see them first at the premiers in Whistler. It always blows my mind at how far snowboarding has come and the ability these riders today have. I once was curious about how the hell they got so good but after years of trial and error I think I've come up with a pretty good formula for developing this ability You see there are 2 types of riders. The first group of riders are 'naturals', these people perform and learn snowboarding quickly because of past sports, mindset, or a combination of the two. The second group have to work to develop great snowboard ability. The best part is even the naturals have to work and even if you have no ability whatsoever hard work will always pay off!
Whether you are in group one or two your ability is about to skyrocket. Sounds good right? Well I'm about to share with you a strategy you can learn to start programming all the tricks you want to learn this season right into the very core of your being, the trick will be ingrained into your muscle tissues and mind. Before you continue reading remember the following equation
NO WORK = NO IMPROVEMENT
SOME WORK = SOME IMPROVEMENT
LOTS OF WORK = LOTS OF IMPROVEMENT
You choose, all you need is about 20 minutes a day. Stay consistent and you'll blow your mind!
Ok now if you've read this far I'm sure you're ready for the formula, so here it is!
STEP 1 "BODY": You must have the right body and flexibility to perform hard snowboard tricks. You train hard for hockey, football, soccer, basically all sports. Why not for snowboarding?
Here is a circuit I invented to give you all the muscles you need. Perform each exercise for 30 seconds before moving on to the next
a) High Knees: Jump up and down repeatedly bringing your knees as high as you can into your chest.
b) Situps
c) Burpees: Jump in the air, then squat and kick your feet all the way out like a pushup, bring your legs back underneath you, and explode up again.
d) Running on the spot: bring your knees as high as you can with every stride and keep your hands up to your face.
e) Jump 360's: both pretending to go switch and regular jumping into the air spinning a 360 rotation focusing on technique of spin and exploding through your legs. This is kind of a down time, do your spins properly with style.
***** Stretch for 10 minutes full body before and after *******
Step 2 "FOCUS": In order to start learning both easy and difficult tricks you need to first develop the base layer of skills to build off. The way you do this is to mimic the tricks as much as possible whenever you can. For example if you're learning rail tricks set down a broom pretending it's the rail and focus on proper technique jumping into the board slides. If you're learning to spin jump spins at home focusing on technique frontside and backside switch and regular. MIMIC THE MOVES OVER AND OVER on and off the hill. You can butter most tricks on the hill and start on small features. Doing this allows your body to begin programming all the muscles of your body and builds muscle memory needed to go from landing the trick for the first time to doing the trick without even thinking about it. Watching snowboard videos and analyzing their technique is a great way to learn the correct technique.
STEP 3 "MIND": Have you every heard the expression sports is 90% mental and 10% physical? I believe that but for snowboarding it's 95% mental and 5% physical. It's all in your head! When you try your first 360 you deal with fear, when you stare down a handrail your heart starts to race, when you hit the first jump of the day, when you get in the zone, when you feel that you can land any trick you want. Snowboarding without a doubt is all mental. Now with that said how do you develop a strong mental game? The first step is to start visualizing your tricks. If you have never visualized before don't worry it gets easier with practice. You should also visualize your tricks in 2 ways the first is to see yourself perform the trick as if you were a spectator watching yourself. The second is to "feel yourself" do the trick. It is important in all visualizations to imagine yourself doing the trick perfectly each time. Visualize before you go to bed, in the car, on the lift, as much as you can, and most importantly before you try the trick you want to do.
This is merely a quick and simple outline for developing incredible snowboard ability. It is short and simple and extremely powerful. Snowboarding is all about having a good time so make your training fun too and enjoy your progression!
- Matt
Matt Belair is Professional Snowboard Trainer and Creator of http://www.SnowboardAcademy.com and http://www.SnowboardJedi.com
Currently living in Whistler, British Columbia, Matt teaches his unique 3 step snowboard training system and techniques for harnessing the power of the mind for snowboarding.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matt_Belair

Keeping control on a snowboard

After many years of trial and error, I have found the 3 most important things to stay in control when snowboarding (and prevent people from bad-mouthing you) are:
1) Learn your dominant foot
This can be done one of two ways. If you are alone you option a; if you have company use option b
a. Sit down, stand up and take three steps.
b. Stand up and have someone push you (lightly)
Whatever foot you place out first is your dominate foot, this should be placed on the back end of the snowboard. AKA if you used your right foot first you are regular foot; if you used you left foot first, you are goofy foot. Many people begin snowboarding goofy foot (including me) because it feels more safe to have your dominate foot forward. It seems counterintuitive but your back foot is your dominate foot.
2) Keep your posture upright
It is often very easy when you start to lose control to lean low to the ground to stop. You actually gain more control by standing yourself upright and pushing down on the edge to create a 90 degree angle with the slope. Never lean low to the ground, you will lose control and wipe people out and they will get angry. Instead throw your shoulders back like your grandmom taught you and take control of your board.
3) Distribute your weight
At first, it seems right to place most of your weight on the back of the board because this is your dominate foot, but in reality you lose control by snowboarding this way. You should place about 70% of your weight on your front foot. The reason for this is it puts less weight on your dominant foot so you can swing the board around better and control your path.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ashley_Ridout

Random tips and tricks to make everyday riding more enjoyable

Day at the Park -
1. Ride through the park once or twice and check out the take offs and landings. Know how fast you should be going to approach each feature to be able to completely execute your maneuver. By just doing basic straight airs, this will let you be able to view everything well and help you to know how much speed you will need.
2. Whether you start with frontside or backside spins is up to you. Backside 3's will allow you to see your landing. If you are going to land blindly, say a backside 180, keep your heel edge up so you don't catch it.
3. When jumping, keep your knees bent and stay low. A low center of gravity will make performing tricks easier, also look better. For a flat spin, you want your shoulders to stay level. When you rush your spin, there is a tendency to drop your shoulders which will cause you to go off axis. This may become a bad habit if you don't stay in control.
4. Before landing a spin, find your landing in the air by knowing where you are in your spin. When performing frontside 3's try to land on toe edge slightly. This will keep you from catching your heel edge and knocking yourself out also it helps stop rotation. Before trying 180's or 540's, where you land switch stance, make sure you can ride switch.
Ace Use Their Laces - Tying Your Boots Correctly
1. Keeping your laces tight around your ankles is of utmost importance to support your ankle so it cannot twist or turn. However, by loosening it up on the upper portion of your boot this will give you a softer feeling for more comfort.
2. If your boots are tied too tight around the lower foot, this can cut off circulation and cause your toes to get cold and numb. Remember, you want to stay comfortable for maximum riding pleasure and performance. Leave a little room for wiggling down there.
3. Don't put your boots on too early. You shouldn't have them on any sooner than when you are ready to strap in for your first chair. If you put them on too early, your feet will sweat and then stay cold the rest of the day which is no fun. Cold, wet feet are miserable.
4. Don't be afraid to change the way you tie throughout the day. If you are just goofing around on the trails, buttering and nose pressing etc., keep them a little loose. If you want to shred the trees and powder, tighten them up for maximum response. Tie it, try it, and see how it feels.
Who Said Waxing is Only for Girls? - Waxing Your Board
1. There are a few things you'll need for waxing your board: an iron (don't try to iron clothes with it after you are done), wax (all condition wax is most beneficial), scouring pads, and a plastic scraper.
2. If you have a garage or shed, this is a good place to wax as it can get a little messy. Make sure to leave the doors and windows open for ventilation.
3. Scrape off old wax from your base, and if you have base cleaner hit it with that as well, though not necessary. Set iron temperature in the middle (maybe silk, synthetic fabric setting). If melting the wax creates a lot of smoke, it is too hot. Put wax to the iron and drip it all over the base not to forget the nose and tail.
4. Place iron on the base and smooth out wax drips, keeping iron moving to spread wax evenly. Allow wax to dry for about 30 minutes or more. Once dry, scrape wax until there is a thin layer on the base. Use scouring pad and buff off any excess wax. Repeat scraping and scouring until smooth.
"The Life & Times of Timothy MacAlistaire", Timothy MacAlistaire, 2008http://gapercentral.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Timothy_MacAlistaire

How to perform handplants

Doing a handplant to impress your friends can be a awesome trick, however you are going to need some upper body strength to perform this maneuver not too mention some patience. A good place to start practicing is on a quarter pipe due to the fact that they are generally smaller than half pipes thus not hurting as bad when you fall.
Performing a Handplant -
1. If you have a quarter pipe that is seldomly being ridden, it will be a good place to start practicing handplants. With a quarter pipe you can approach it flat based where as with a half pipe you will more than likely find yourself on toe or heel edge.
2. Have an adequate amount of speed coming to the quarter to perform a small backside air. As you come to the lip, begin transferring weight to back foot and pop a little while placing your hand where your board just broke contact with the snow.
3. With your hand planted you want to concentrate on staring down the transition of the pipe not at your board as you will probably fall and look ridiculous.
4. Tuck your knees while inverted so you won't be supporting so much weight with such a great distance from the snow. With your free hand perform a melon grab, which can more easily be acheived.
5. After the grab, let your board come back down in front of you, perpindicular to the lip or the quarter.
6. Once your board has made contact with the ground again, push your body up with the handplanted arm and straighten up to ride away. Don't be discouraged if your first two or even 20 handplants look like messed up cart wheels. This trick requires a little bit of upper body strength not to mention a lot of practice. Don't give up, you will get it soon enough.
"The Life & Times of Timothy MacAlistaire", Timothy MacAlistaire, 2008
http://gapercentral.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Timothy_MacAlistaire

Cheap snowboarding gear

What's the deal with cheap snowboarding gear? Is it even worth buying cheap snowboarding gear? These are some questions that you might be asking yourself when shopping for new equipment. Nobody wants to spend a fortune shopping, but snowboarding in general is an expensive sport. You have to have snowboard pants, a jacket, gloves, goggles, snowboard boots, bindings and a snowboard. And if that wasn't already enough you have to buy a lift ticket. Like I said snowboarding is an expensive sport, but there are ways to save some money buy buying cheap snowboarding gear.
First of all lets quickly acknowledge the difference between cheap and expensive snowboarding gear. Materials are the only difference, shapes and styles are often the same, but the expensive gear is made with better materials and better materials are more responsive and last longer.
SO...when and where is it o.k. to buy cheap snowboarding gear?
I can tell you that buying a cheap snowboard is o.k. A cheap snowboard should cost somewhere between $250-$350( sometimes even cheaper depending on certain discounts found at online snowboarding stores). Going cheap on a snowboard doesn't really make such a huge difference unless you are dropping big lines. Cheap snowboards are a lot softer which makes it easier to learn how to make turns if your a beginner, and if your an intermediate rider trying to get better by doing tricks having a softer board will help.
One place you don't want to go cheap is on your bindings. Cheap bindings will break easily, especially if the temperatures get cold. You should spend a minimum of $150 on snowboard bindings( you can find good bindings for cheaper buy shopping at online snowboarding stores because they sell last season's top of the line gear at really discounted prices, just make sure the original retail price was about $150).
If your a beginner you don't want to go too cheap on your snowboard pants because you will be spending a lot of time on your butt and you want pants that have enough water-proofing to keep you dry all day long. Check the pants water-proof ranking. A water proofing of 7,000-10,000mm will be enough, unless your riding in the Northwest where you will need 10,000-20,000mm water proofing due to the high moisture content of the snow.
Buying cheap snowboard boots is kind of hard to call because some people will tell you never get cheap boots, but i say if you are only planning on snowboarding a few times a year then it is o.k. to buy cheap snowboard boots. Cheap boots should cost around $100-$120(sometimes cheaper online).
As for your goggles, jacket, and gloves it is easy to save money because it's not necessary to have the most expensive. Just be aware of the weather conditions you will be riding in because you don't want cold wet hands. If you are riding in the northwest you should consider a gore-tex glove. If you are riding in the northeast consider a mitten-style glove, they are much warmer.
Obviously this article is not for everyone. If you are an experienced rider you already know what you like and how much it's going to cost you, but for the beginner and intermediate rider knowing when and where to save money by buying cheap snowboard gear might be the deciding factor between years of riding verse giving it up due to the high cost.
I don't want anyone to give up snowboarding, it's the greatest sport. It's unfortunate that many people will never really get into it because of the cost. Hopefully, though, the information in this article will help you save some money.
Online snowboarding stores are usually the best place to find high-quality snowboarding gear for cheap. They always sell last season's expensive gear for cheap. Sometimes they even have brand new gear from 2 years ago that is still the same as today, just different logos...BUT for 70% off. They also carry the current seasons gear with better discounts then at local shops.
Here is a link to a snowboarding website that has collected a list of online snowboarding stores that you can shop at and save money. Click here for the online snowboarding store directory
Hope this information has been helpful.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eric_Clemmer

snowboarding and sports psychology- the inner game

Mental preparation and rehearsal has become a major part of all sport in recent years. It's not to be dismissed as some dark art or mystical fad. If anything, for snowboarding and other extreme sports some mental rehearsal is even more important than for activities you might associate this with.
For a beginner to snowboarding a key tip is to prepare yourself mentally for the strange environment you will find yourself in. Many beginners have fear of falling over and either injuring themselves or just looking stupid! By spending some quiet time in mental preparation you will genuinely have a greater confidence which will lead you to balance, move and generally perform better.
At the recent Olympics you will have seen many athletes going through some rituals of preparation before their race or event - be that on the track, in the pool or on horseback. Modern advances in fitness training, nutrition and general wellbeing have levelled the playing field and for serious competitors much of the training now takes place in the mind long before the event.
Former world motor racing champion Damon Hill was a great believer in these techniques and would famously complete his race in his head before even starting the engine of his car! He invested time leading up to an event to mentally rehearse and imagine steering every twist and turn of a track. As a snowboarder you can apply the same technique. As a beginner use mental rehearsal to imagine yourself confidently gliding down the slopes and imagine how good this feels. For more advanced snowboarders this tip can help you to progress to success in complex tricks and moves.
You will literally program your mind to achieve greater balance, speed and style and in the process find increased enjoyment when you get out on the snow for real.
Jon is an experienced snowboarder and helps beginners and advanced boarders alike to achieve greater performance http://www.squidoo.com/snowboarding-tips
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jon_Mainwaring