How to Do a Backside 720 on a Snowboard

Not too many years ago, the 720 and Backside 720 were groundbreaking tricks on a snowboard. Today, the 720 has become a staple among snowboard competitors at the highest levels with the trick coming towards the end of a run when speeds and air are lower. Learning the Backside 720 gives you a very impressive trick at the local snowboard park. Read on to learn more.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Wrist guards
• Half pipe or bowl at local snowboard park
• Freestyle snowboard
• Proper pads and helmet

Do a Backside 720 on a Snowboard

1. Warm up by getting big air and making solid landings on the halfpipe. Use a few Alley Oops, 360s and 540s. The Backside 720 is basically a big spinning Alley Oops.
2. Approach the lip with more speed than you would use for a 540 and prepare to take off.
3. Turn backwards hard with your shoulders and hips as soon as you feel the board leaving the lip. Your body should pivot around your spine for the Backside twist (as opposed to turning around your stomach).
4. Do a 360 spin and start another twist to do another 360 spin.
5. Complete the second spin and find your landing spot on the ground as close to the lip as possible.
6. Bend your knees to absorb the landing.
7. Ride out the landing to complete the Backside 720.
8. Move to the switch position to work on doing the Backside 720 with your other foot leading the way. In a competition, you need to be able to throw down this trick at any time.

Tips & Warnings

• You will need some serious air to give yourself time to do this trick. Work on getting enough air to easily do a 540 before moving on to the 720.
• Twist your upper body hard and fast and your lower body will have to follow.
• Picture yourself doing the Backside 720 before attempting it so you can be mentally prepared to do the trick.
• Be prepared to fall a lot as you learn how hard you have to twist to land the trick. Under rotations and over rotations will probably result in eating some snow.
• Do not attempt the Backside 720 until you can successfully do a 540 the vast majority of the times you try it.
• Always make sure you wear pads when learning new tricks like the Backside 720. You can wear many pads under your ski clothes to protect your reputation.