Steering

Author: Paul Morgan - Snowboard Instructor (CASI 3)

A basic snowboard turn uses a pivot, in which one point of the board remains stationary (the pivot point) while the rest of the board rotates around it. The pivot point can be located anywhere between the tip and tail, but the rider is most stable when the pivot point is between the feet. Pivoting is an effective method of changing the direction of the board quickly, and does so in a large, quick motion. However, pivoting also causes the board to slide through the turn.

Steering, on the other hand, is the act of turning the board around a point located some distance laterally from the board. Steering is also accomplished through rotation, but the rotation is more gradually and consistently applied than in a pivot, and involves the lower joints to a much greater degree. By rotating (twisting) the feet, ankles, and knees in the direction of the turn, the rider is able to steer the board around the pivot (rather than turning the board on top of the pivot), and therefore too, reduce the amount of slide in the turn.

Key points

• Think about extending the upper body rotation down through the core and hips and into the legs and feet, making one smooth, steady rotation for each turn.


• Keep your knees above your feet; imagine you are sitting on a horse, knees wide apart.


• Make sure your knees are sufficiently flexed; if the upper leg is at an angle to the lower leg, it can act as a lever, transmitting rotation through to the feet.


• The front leg and foot need to act just a split second before the back foot and leg.

How to

• To initiate the turn, twist the front foot and knee in the direction of the turn.


• As the edge bites and the turn begins, twist the back foot and knee in a similar motion.


• Continue driving both knees and feet through the execution phase.


• In the completion phase, continue steering with the back leg and foot while the front leg prepares to initiate the next turn.


• Twist the front foot and knee in the opposite direction to initiate the next turn and follow with the back foot and leg.

Common problems

• Sliding the feet laterally in a toe or heel direction rather than twisting them. This causes the board to slide and wash out through the turn. Try to imagine the discs on the bindings are loose and able to swivel on the board.


• Straightening the legs. This inhibits rotation of the knees and causes the board to wash out, especially at the end of the turn. Think about staying low through the turn and keeping the knees flexed (especially the back one).


• Counter-rotating the upper body. This interferes with making a smooth transition from one edge to the other between turns, as the upper and lower body will rotate in different directions. It also tends to counter-act the effects of steering with the lower joints. Try to keep a balanced aligned stance, and think about turning the front shoulder and hip with the knee and foot.

 
If you have any questions, ask one of our qualified snowboard instructors on the Boardworld Forums.