The foundation of all freestyle kicker snowboarding comes from your ability to perform a solid straight air. It can sound easy but a lot of issues arise that can cause a number of setbacks with future trick progression.
This is a structured tasks based tutorial that builds a series of specific skills to help you achieve straight airs with a few specially selected grabs that will work towards future freestyle movements.
A pop is an even weight extension that will give you lift. This pop will provide more airtime and assist towards a grab and other freestyle moves down the line.
Approach
Start directly behind the kicker at a point that will enable you to safely land on the table top or just over the knuckle. Re-create a funnel shape with your turns with a focus towards riding straight up the centre of the kicker.
Takeoff
Aim to be flat base as you travel up the kicker with upper body aligned with your board. Transfer slight pressure to your toes in preparation for the pop. Maintaining upper body alignment will reduce the chance of unplanned rotation in the air.
Trick
Imagine there is a wire across the lip of the kicker and you plan to pop over it. It will assist in your timing. Build up the power in the pop over a few attempts on the kicker rather than adding full power straight off.
Landing
Be ready to absorb the landing with a focus towards a soft landing on the toe edge to enable control and then feather the board to flat if required absorbing more through your legs than your back. Ride away straight for a short while before speed checking to create a more fluid looking straight air.
Key Check Points
Watch your speed. If you travel too slow and try to pop the power you put into the kicker will convert to a nollie and throw you off balance.
Focus on pushing your knees out during your travel up the kicker to create a more stable platform for the pop.
Align the shoulders with the board and over your toes to assist in maintaining balance during the pop.
Applying the ollie will add style and make achieving grabs easier and build a key skill set for future freestyle moves.
Approach
Start directly behind the kicker at a point that will enable you to safely land on the table top or just over the knuckle. Re-create a funnel shape with your turns with a focus towards riding straight up the centre of the kicker.
Takeoff
Aim to be flat base as you travel up the kicker with your upper body aligned with the board. You have the option of maintaining that flat base or transferring the pressure slightly to your toes as you initiate the ollie. Maintaining upper body alignment will reduce the chance of unplanned rotation in the air.
Trick
Imagine there is a wire across the lip of the kicker and you plan to ollie over it. It will assist in your timing. Build up the power in the ollie over a few attempts on the kicker rather than go full power straight off.