Following are the most common freestyle tricks and maneuvers and a few basic guidelines:
Fakie
Riding the board backwards - called riding "fakie" - is an essential maneuver for freestylers. Begin by riding diagonals, forward at first, and then backward. As you switch, shift your weight from your front leg to the back leg, reversing other movements at the same time. Your body weight should not be back too far.
Wheelie
This move is similar to popping a wheelie on a bicycle. First, bend the leg that will be in contact with the snow and then lift the opposite end of the board. Balance on the back leg, stretch your body and raise your arms.
Ollie
An ollie is a basic freestyle maneuver on flat ground. Begin by bending your knees and shifting your weight to your rear leg. Then quickly straighten up and bring your front leg to your chest. The board's nose will lift up from the snow. Then move your weight to the center of the board and bring the tail up with your bent, rear leg. As you straighten, bring your arms out. In the air, move your legs up to your body in a crouched position to keep flying. When landing, keep your knees slightly bent to absorb the impact.
Stiffy
A stiffy is a jump where both legs are completely straight as you grab the frontside edge with your forward arm. Begin by approaching a ramp or wall at a steady speed while crouched down. Then straighten up to launch yourself higher into the jump while staying centered. After takeoff, bend and grab your frontside edge with your forward hand as you straighten your legs. Before landing, release your hand and bring the board beneath your body. Slightly bend your knees for impact. Keep your weight centered.
Boning
Boning means to jump with one leg straight and one leg bent. When the front leg is extended, the jump is called a nose-bone. When the back leg is straight, the jump is a tail-bone. When exiting the pipe, put equal pressure on both legs. When landing, straighten your bent leg and bend the other so you'll be in the right position to land.
Tail Grab
Grabs can be made in the air with 1 or 2 hands, in a variety of positions. The simplest involves grabbing the frontside edge with the back hand near the nose of the board.
Backside Air
The backside air is a basic half-pipe trick that resembles method air (see below). Start the jump by approaching the pipe wall on your backside edge at an almost perpendicular angle. Bend your legs with knees close, center your weight, eye the pipe rim, and get ready to push. Once into the jump, use your arms for power and straighten your legs.
Immediately after jumping, bend your legs and grab the backside edge of the board. Keep your eyes focused on your landing point. After reaching the highest point of the jump, begin to straighten out to prepare for landing. Before coming down the pipe wall, remove your hand from the backside edge and bring your legs under your body. Try to reenter the pipe at its steepest part and begin your next approach.
Method Air
Begin by entering the steepest slope at a moderate speed in a crouched position, ready to straighten up, and push up above the lip. Grab the backside edge with your front hand and crouch. As you stall at the high point, arch your body with the rear arm stretched out. Then bring the board up under your body, rotate in the direction of your exit and get ready to land.
Author Resource:
Samet Yahya Bilir is a freelance writer who writes about vacation and leisure topics such as scenic drives in America and Maui hotels and inns .
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