Reducing Stance Width - Will it help with 3s? - Snowboarding Forum

ShortAssassin · 12-27-2010, 06:07 PM

Just wondering how much reducing my stance with will help with 360s. I imagine the more important factors are form and technique but if reducing my stance width can significantly help me in learning them then I think it'd be beneficial to try.

alecdude88 · 12-27-2010, 09:13 PM

it should help a little but not enough to make up for skill. so just keep practicing

ShortAssassin · 12-27-2010, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alecdude88

it should help a little but not enough to make up for skill. so just keep practicing

That's what I assumed. I like the stability of my wide stance so I think I'll stick with it.

Extremo · 12-28-2010, 02:24 PM

I found that narrowing my stance actually hurt my spins...maybe just because I had to re-learn them that way. I went from 25" to 23.5" and it was too much of a change. I ended up going back to 24" . At first I couldnt generate the torque with and still feel that I don't get the pull I used to with a wider stance, but with a narrow stance it reduces the pain I had in my knees.

rasmasyean · 12-28-2010, 02:46 PM

I've found...and remeber reading somewhere, that wider stances are better for spinning. And it makes sense to me...since you can generate torque due to mechanical advantage, much like gripping a tire iron at the ends. Of course too wide gives you less leg motion and is harder to balance this way.

I've found for myself, the alieviation of the wide stance pressuring knees problem can be solved simply by increasing the stance angle. I used to ride 0 0 for all mountain. When I switched to mostly spinning and freestyle, I went widest and 15 -15. This way, when I bend my legs and it's in more of an "angle" because of the wide stance, my feet are more aligned with my thighs...reducing that "axial twist pressure" on my knees.

I imagine every body is different and wide to some is short for others and some ppl are more flexible and in certain postions, etc. too. But you can try what I did and see if it solves your knee problem.

snowjeeper · 12-28-2010, 10:11 PM

is there any benefit to having a narrow stance in general? I've been changing up all my settings on the board.

Phenom · 12-29-2010, 01:38 PM

A narrower stance will make spinning in the air easier but like others said generating the rotational force during take off is more difficult. Whenever you compact your body as much as possible it results in less angular momentum meaning faster spins. Think about a figure skater spinning around, first with her arms out and then once she brings her arms in.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snowolf

Some find it easier on their joints....

Isn't it also true that having a narrower stance helps with carving/holding an edge since you're applying force further away from the tip and tail meaning it's easier to flex the board? I always thought this was a good way to handle very stiff boards.

ev13wt · 12-29-2010, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phenom

Isn't it also true that having a narrower stance helps with carving/holding an edge since you're applying force further away from the tip and tail meaning it's easier to flex the board? I always thought this was a good way to handle very stiff boards.

Are you riding a metal plank?

On the 360 issue add pop to the butter maybe? Over a roller?

Phenom · 12-29-2010, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ev13wt

Are you riding a metal plank?

Why do you think board sizes are so dependent on rider weight?

There's a good reason why skinny little 140lb kids don't buy 160+ cm boards

snowjeeper · 12-29-2010, 07:54 PM

phenom, logically i would think it's the opposite, that you'd be able to flex the board less nose to tail with a narrower stance...

12-27-2010, 06:07 PM	#1 (permalink)
ShortAssassin Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 96	Reducing Stance Width - Will it help with 3s? Just wondering how much reducing my stance with will help with 360s. I imagine the more important factors are form and technique but if reducing my stance width can significantly help me in learning them then I think it'd be beneficial to try.

12-28-2010, 02:46 PM	#5 (permalink)
rasmasyean Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 674	I've found...and remeber reading somewhere, that wider stances are better for spinning. And it makes sense to me...since you can generate torque due to mechanical advantage, much like gripping a tire iron at the ends. Of course too wide gives you less leg motion and is harder to balance this way. I've found for myself, the alieviation of the wide stance pressuring knees problem can be solved simply by increasing the stance angle. I used to ride 0 0 for all mountain. When I switched to mostly spinning and freestyle, I went widest and 15 -15. This way, when I bend my legs and it's in more of an "angle" because of the wide stance, my feet are more aligned with my thighs...reducing that "axial twist pressure" on my knees. I imagine every body is different and wide to some is short for others and some ppl are more flexible and in certain postions, etc. too. But you can try what I did and see if it solves your knee problem. Last edited by rasmasyean; 12-28-2010 at 02:48 PM.

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12-27-2010, 09:13 PM	#2 (permalink)
alecdude88 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 343	it should help a little but not enough to make up for skill. so just keep practicing

12-28-2010, 02:24 PM	#4 (permalink)
Extremo -LIFETIME MEMBER- Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: NH Posts: 3,112	I found that narrowing my stance actually hurt my spins...maybe just because I had to re-learn them that way. I went from 25" to 23.5" and it was too much of a change. I ended up going back to 24" . At first I couldnt generate the torque with and still feel that I don't get the pull I used to with a wider stance, but with a narrow stance it reduces the pain I had in my knees.

12-28-2010, 10:11 PM	#6 (permalink)
snowjeeper Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: WI Posts: 1,922	is there any benefit to having a narrow stance in general? I've been changing up all my settings on the board.

12-29-2010, 07:54 PM	#10 (permalink)
snowjeeper Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: WI Posts: 1,922	phenom, logically i would think it's the opposite, that you'd be able to flex the board less nose to tail with a narrower stance...