snowklinger

i dont think riding backwards is the idea.

new foot forward!

and going faster...maybe if its soft out...or young enough to take falls like gumby. pretty easy to catch an edge until you are comfy with it. i'm getting faster for sure but bombing your fear to overcome your lack of ability to ride switch is a sure way to kill a small child, old man or end up as a tree decoration.

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dreampow

theres 2 ways being talked about here, one is more technical one is more instinct. I prefer to just go with the flow and let it come to me naturally but I did ride switch from the 2nd day on a board because I knew I wanted to be good both ways.

I do think its a good idea to realign your hips and shoulders so you are in the right stance.
Other than that for me personally thinking about anything more than 1 thing at a time doesn't work. Its just confusing.

same when I learn a trick I just focus on 1 new thing at a time once I have that down I move to the next and slowly let it come together.

Each to their own I guess.

dreampow

One more thing, set up your bindings for switch riding, give yourself more angle on the front foot than the back maybe +12and -9 or -7. That will automatically help you realign your body for switch riding and should make it easier.

Peaceryder

Like every great athlete, you visualize yourself riding switch. Daydream about your exact movements and you'll discover how to correct things which may screw it up for you and you'll just do it. Anything with regards to skill is about visualization. If you can't visualize yourself doing it, you simply won't ever do it. Visualizing also gives you a false sense of self confidence. Wait man, I did that switch 180 bs yesterday! It may have been in ur head only, but that's really all that matters.

Anouther thing that helps is to practice ambidextrous activities and really work at it. Getting used to kicking a soccer ball with ur opposite foot, stick handling a hockey puck the same way, etc, etc. Pour a glass of water, drive your car, w/e it may be.

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que

Some people may roll their eyes at a suggestion like this but i believe it is good advice. I play a lot of golf and often think about my swing when i am not playing. The more i visualize and "mentally feel" the correct swing, the better i play. I havent been snowboarding very long but i do this with snowboarding and feel like it has been beneficial

Mr. Polonia

dont think too much about it. When you start over analyzing everything, youll find your head swarming with "do this, do that" and you will never learn. well not never but it will take you longer.

The only thing you have to remember to do is LEAN FORWARD-- kinda contradicting myself here
At first you wont realize but your entire body will be backseating and this will cause excessive weight to be placed on the tail of the board and you will have a harder time controlling the board. Leaning forward will make you think you are over the nose, but actually this will make you centered. This helped me out a LOT!

I wouldnt suggest a bunny hill for this. go on a blue trail or more advanced green. Dont point your board straight down and shoot, do wide traverses while leaning fwd, and just get used to edge to edge transitioning. it will prob take you an entire season to learn. Just devote 1-3 runs per trip riding riding switch down the entire trail and you will get it.


i

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romesaz

I like this, although I would focus on balance activities. What I'm trying now is slack-lining.
I can balance easier on my right leg, which is also my rear leg when riding.
So to get my left leg (switch) to producing more power/balance, I'm trying to train its balance on the slack line.

dreampow

I like slacklining too. Its great for all round balance and core strength as well as leg strength. It doesn't look like it but after a session your legs are pumped.

sizzle

This.

I've been trying to ride switch more and it's actually harder on flatter runs. You need some incline to help give you something to turn against.

bcasey

I posted a clip from riding Lake Louise last weekend that has some switch riding in it if you are interested.
Here is the permalink to my post.

Cheers.