when im snowboarding and i go off a ramp or rail, how do i nail the landing perfectly?

Question

im not sure about the specific technique i should do when i land. My board is a tad to short for me and i dont know if that affects how i land either.

Answer 1

First off, your landing is only as good as your take-off so be sure you have a good jump that you can launch from in a stable way. You always want to be centered, no leaning back, no shoulders forward. Stay centered on your board, always.

In the beginning, do not pop off the lip of the jump, that is something you'll want to work up to as you become more comfortable in the air. Pick a jump with a size you will be comfortable clearing and watch other people hitting this jump so you can better gauge the speed you'll need to clear it. When hitting a jump I've never hit before I'll often "shadow" someone who is hitting the jump so I can get a good feel for the speed required to clear it.

As you approach the lip of the jump, get in a "ready position" with your knees bent and your body loose. As you come off the lip bring your knees up a bit and try to stay small in the air. As you begin to come down, extend your legs to meet the landing and as you land absorb the impact by bending your knees. You always want to be centered on your board when doing this. Too much weight back and you'll wash out onto your butt and too much weight forward you could either tumble or catch an edge.

As you get more comfortable with this feeling, you'll want to start "popping" off the lip of the jump. This is an ollie-ing motion similar to an ollie on a skateboard. Basically, as you hit the lip you weight the tail of your board and then quickly unweight it and jump forward. This will greatly increase the height and distance you'll be jumping and is required as you hit bigger jumps. Be sure to start off small and work your way up and be sure to master the basics before trying something more advanced. And never forget that style is everything.

As far as your board being too small it could be a problem but if you practice it will actually help you in the long run. More advanced Park Boards are generally a bit stiffer as this offers better pop off the lip and more stability on landing (think about it, a stiffer board will try and keep you centered if you do land too far back). That short board will offer less support but if you can learn to stomp your airs with that then you'll be ahead of the game when you pick up a stiffer board that is the correct size.

Answer 2

ok ill try to help. if the board is to short for you it will be easier to controll as long as its not like at your chest.
so when you come off the rail try not to slide off the rail try to jump a little bit at the end. then you can do one of two things 1) you can just distribute your weight almost evenly about 40% on your front foot and 60% on your back foot, land with your tail just barely ahead of your nose and bend your knees to absorb the shock.
(2) after you come off the rail you can suck up your legs (maybe pull a stalefish) which makes the landing look better and then proceed with option *1*

Answer 3

a shorter board acutually makes the landing easier. make sure you land parallel to the direction your going and bend you knees as you land to absorb the landing.

Answer 4

hey man, i always find that it is easyer to controll if you try n put the majority of your weight on your trailling leg with your shoulder slightly forward to counter ballance. this gives u better stability when landing. Also if u tilt your hips to the right, then lean your arms to the left, n vis versa if you tilt to the left then arms to the right. once again couter ballance. giv a try man n happy landing!

Answer 5

Practice Practice and more Practice

Answer 6

get a good fitting board try afew and find wich1 suits u best its all in ur balance,goodluck and have fun........