How Should You Place Your Feet on a Snowboard?

Learn whether you ride Regular or Goofy before strapping in.

Snowboarding is an exhilarating sport that can be performed by people of all ages and athletic abilities. Before hitting the slopes, the first thing you need to know is how to place your feet on the snowboard. Determine whether your left or right foot should lead and how far apart your feet should be using simple techniques, and you should adjust and fine-tune your position until it feels comfortable. A strong stance makes for a more enjoyable performance.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape

Instructions

1. Slide across a smooth floor wearing only socks on your feet. If you slide with your left foot forward, you ride Regular-footed. If your right foot leads, you will ride Goofy-footed. This tells you which foot to place in front on the snowboard.

2. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart.

3. Bend down and measure the distance between your feet. This value is your stance width and determines how far apart to place your feet on the snowboard.

4. Use these measurements to customize your snowboard for a balanced, comfortable ride.

Tips & Warnings

• If the sliding technique doesn't work. have a friend nudge you from behind. The first foot you extend to balance yourself will be your lead foot and will determine how you should place your feet on the board (i.e. Regular or Goofy).

References

• Snowboard World: How To Determine Your Snowboard Stance
• The ABC of Snowboarding: Snowboarding Stance - Regular or Goofy?