Edging
Author: Paul Morgan - Snowboard Instructor (CASI 3)
Edging is one of the means by which the rider’s force is directed into the snow through the snowboard, and is a vital component of turning and stopping. We apply our edge by increasing the angle between the base of the snowboard and the snow surface; less edge angle means more sliding, more edge angle means more stopping (or carving). Edge angle can be achieved through two means; inclination and angulation. Angulation is achieved through flexing the lower joints of the body, while inclination is achieved by inclining the body laterally over the board.
The degree of edge angle achieved through inclination is directly proportional to how far the rider is able to lean laterally. To achieve any degree of edge angle, the rider must incline the exact same amount. As this is possible only in relation to the centrifugal forces acting on the rider and the slope of the run, extreme inclination is possible only at relatively high speeds or on steep slopes, and at any rate, is a less efficient method of achieving edge angle than angulation.
Angulation on the other hand, is achieved through the parallel action of the knees, ankles, and feet, which results in edge angles disproportionate to (i.e. greater than) the movement of the body. Accordingly, angulation allows the rider a greater range and degree of control over edge angle then does inclination. For instance, just by flexing the ankles slightly, the rider can instantly increase edge angle, without having to make any other movements whatsoever.
That being said, inclination is still an important, though subtle element of edging. Picture yourself standing over your board, your body in a vertical position with all your major joints stacked above one another. In this position, all of your mass is directed downwards, into the snowboard and the snow. However, as the edge angle increases so too does the direction of force. If we are to push effectively against the edge, we must align our body with this new direction of force. We achieve this alignment through inclination. It is easy to overdo this though, as too much inclination moves the center of mass outside of the base of support, resulting in a loss of balance.
Key points
- Make sure your boots are done up properly.
- Think about your flexing your knees and ankles. On toeside, feel your shins pressing into the front of your boots. Drive your knees towards the snow. On heelside, feel your calf pressing into the highback.
- Maintain a balanced, aligned stance. Try to keep the upper body quiet and supple; you need to let the legs do the work and not let the upper body interfere by moving too much laterally, or being too rigid and not moving at all.
How to
- In the initiation phase of the turn, flex the ankles in conjunction with steering movements. As the edge bites into the snow, the board will slide less.
- Keep the knees and ankles flexed, and maintain even pressure on the edge to keep the board from sliding or chattering.
- In the completion phase of the turn, extend the knees and ankles to reduce the edge angle and get ready to switch edges.
Common problems
- Board chatters through the turn. Lower joints and muscles are too tight, creating too much resistance to the pressure being generated. Try to relax your lower body and absorb some of the pressure of the turn.
- Board slides or washes out. Lower joints and muscles are too loose, causing loss of edge angle and no resistance to pressure. Ensure lower joints are flexed by staying low, and think about tightening up the muscles in the legs to resist pressure.
- Board won’t release edges easily at the end of the turn. Upper body is inclined or rotated and interferes with smooth transition between edges. Make sure the upper body aligned both vertically and rotationally with the board, and able to follow the lower body through each turn.
If you have any questions, ask one of our qualified snowboard instructors on the Boardworld Forums.
