Q. Am I regular or goofy? Any advice?
Josh
Lauren Traub Teton answers:
Cross your arms.
Ok, which elbow is on top? Left? Ride regular.
Right elbow? Ride goofy.
Pretend to kick a ball. The non-kicking foot should be your front foot on
the board.
(These 2 ideas from "Snowboarding for Women" by Chickie Rosenberg.)
Now, slide across the kitchen floor in your socks. Which foot first?
Let me know if you come out the same on all tests.
Good luck!
Josh answers:
When i cross my arms, my right arm is on top. which means ride goofy. But
then if i were to kick a ball, i would kick with my right leg, so that means
i would ride regular. if i were to slide across the floor, i think i would
be right foot forward. but when i jump on a skateboard it feels more natural
when i stand regular. i still cant decide which stance is more
comfortable. please help me, this is confusing!
Josh Walke
Dear Josh,
You poor tortured soul!
I suspect you're a regular guy. The arm crossing test doesn't always work
for guys. Try sliding on the floor, not just thinking about it. But the ball
and skateboard tests may indicate left foot forward.
Maybe you're ambi-footrous.
Have you been on a snowboard?
How many times?
Our goal is to learn to ride both ways anyway so we can land tricks with
half turns.
So don't stress!
Just learn one way. If you're having trouble, take some lessons to see where
the problem is.
Then learn the other way!
Let me know how this works!
Jeremy King answers:
Regarding all the tests, I have friends who find it easier to skate around
goofy, but ride regular...so which ever is the most comfortable for you, go
with it...
Gavin Ehringer answers:
That's a loaded question. Most riders are regular (left foot forward), but
about 1/4 are "goofy." If you don't know, here's a way to find out: stand
with both feet side by side, spaced about 12 inches apart. Relax the knees.
Now, have someone push you squarely in the center of the chest. You'll have
to drop a foot back to remain balanced. The foot that stays in front will
determine if you are regular or goofy. I've found this works with about 90
percent of the people I teach, but some people defy the "test" and feel more
comfortable riding the opposite direction. Still, it's a useful test for
never-evers.
Dougie Fresh (reader of
SnowboardSecrets.com) answers:
Its funny how many different
techniques there are. The one I heard and have always used is: have the
person in question stand in front of you. When they are not expecting it
GENTLY shove them forward (enough to make them lose their balance). Now
which ever foot they put in front to land on is the dominant foot and that
should be the front foot. Like if they go left foot first to catch them
self, they are Regular footed so if you put your right foot in front, you
are Goofy footed. Its a very simple idea, but its has always worked for me
when i teach people . I also agree with that after you start riding try them
both and go with which ever feels more comfortable.
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