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In the past what we knew about snowboarding was borrowed from techniques of other sports, mostly skiing but also a bit of skateboarding as well.
In time the riders pushed their limits and the equipment and techniques developed side by side. For a technician to analyze the top riders of those days was very difficult job. The riders did not know how to describe what they were doing, they just did it! The models of skiing did not always function properly for snowboarding. New theories to explain snowboarding techniques were springing up like mushrooms after the rain on a daily basis.
One of the most significant theories developed in these turbulent times of the sport were that of pressure and edge control. Or more exactly described, controlling the pressure along the edge. This idea has become a milestone in the modern snowboarding knowledge.
Controlling the edge and pressure on the wide side of the snowboard takes common movements, but one can also control these factors along the length of the board. In order to do that, one must master movements using feet, ankles and kneed separately. One does not need to use both feet to achieve edge changes or adjustments to the edge angle. This can happen gradually, moving along the length of the board. The same can be said for pressure.
For a beginner’s level, let us start with the healside slip. If edge and pressure are equally held by both feet, the board will slip straight down a falling line. If one uses less edge with the front foot then the nose will start to move down the hill first, this is like stepping on the gas for such a slip. If you edge less with the rear leg then the tail of the board will find the fall line. This knowledge allows the rider to navigate turns and control the board without changing their mass center. One can stay balanced on both feet and just apply different levels of pressure and edge. In the old days the riders shifted from one foot to the other for the same effect that riders reach today using board controlling techniques while maintaining their balance.
When the rider links turns one should start with front foot edging and end with the pressure on the back foot. This way the turns are smooth and undisturbed and the riders keep their balance. Taken to the next level, one could finish a turn on the back and start a new one on the front simultaneously. This ability to twist the board gives improved controlling capabilities without messing up the rider’s center of gravity.
A wide range of control means a wide range of maneuvers.
Exploring this idea to the extreme, the back foot need not follow the front foot edge. Both feet can edge opposite each other which is very helpful in small radius turns and in steep ground. The front foot holds the edge and the back foot brings the board around.
The variety of this technique is to be found in the difference of timing and degree of edging. This is best used in packed snow but can’t hurt in powder too. For alpine riders this does not work due to the hard long boards, so they need to shift their balance. But for other styles this technique is a step up to great quality riding and is used by all top riders.
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