| For anyone who has looked at a snowboarder before | | | | You might not think of it right away, but any time you |
| and pondered just how simple it likely is to stand on a | | | | do something with your feet you're likely putting one |
| board and go down a mountain, you've never done it. | | | | foot forward before the other. By practicing in a few |
| Snowboarding is not simply about standing on a | | | | everyday activities you can figure out which foot that |
| waxed board and sliding through snow. It might be if | | | | is and use it while snowboarding. Methods for deciding |
| you are still on the bunny slopes, but at a certain point, | | | | might include riding your bicycle and seeing how your |
| it gets more complicated. For those beginners out | | | | feet rest when coasting or comparing which foot you |
| there, a quick rundown of the basics of merely | | | | step off with in basketball or soccer. Anything that |
| standing on your snowboard will suffice for showing | | | | displays your foot preference is helpful here. |
| you how even stance can be problematic. | | | | Setting the Stance |
| When you first start out in snowboarding you have to | | | | Another thing many people don't realize is that they |
| make the basic decision of how you would like to | | | | have to set the width of their own stance. |
| stand. You cannot simply hop on and hope for the | | | | Snowboards don't come with preset dimensions that |
| best. It's like choosing whether you're right or left | | | | you must conform with (though they can if you'd like |
| handed. Simply put, you can't choose. | | | | them to). Instead, you must choose the proper width |
| Basic Stance | | | | and adjust your bindings accordingly. For this, you |
| There are two basic ways to stand on a snowboard. | | | | should make sure you are balanced and comfortable |
| The first of these is to put your left foot forward. | | | | and that the width is only slightly wider than your |
| Known as a regular stance, this is the most common | | | | shoulders. |
| method as most people are right handed and feel | | | | Angling |
| more comfortable like this. | | | | Another important part of setting your stance and the |
| However, there is also a goofy stance in which your | | | | bindings is the angle at which your foot sits in relation |
| right foot is put forward. Though this is less common, | | | | to the board. Often, this will fall between 10 and 30 |
| some people feel they must board in this style, as it is | | | | degrees, but you should check to ensure that the |
| more comfortable. | | | | angle you have is comfortable for you. Try it out a |
| For those with any experience on a board, be it | | | | few times and adjust as necessary. Nearly every |
| skateboarding or surfing, you probably already know | | | | aspect of your feet on that board is adjustable and |
| exactly which style works best for you. Don't assume | | | | you should continue adjusting until you get it just right. |
| right off that if you're Goofy on a skateboard, you'll be | | | | Finally, just remember not to copy another person's |
| goofy on a snowboard though. Occasionally these | | | | stance. Yours is unique and will feel right to you. |
| preferences change with sports. | | | | Everyone else has their own unique stance. |
| You should try both methods first, preferably before | | | | Snowboarding is a great outdoor sport that can be |
| sliding down a steep mountain face. | | | | made even better if you take the time to ensure that |
| Practice | | | | you are comfortable on your board. |