How To Jump on a Snowboard – Off Season Training / NO Equipment Needed!

​There are long periods of time where you can’t snowboard, for example in Canada this would be from April to November, so roughly 8 months.
You can also think of it as you can only snowboard for about 33% of the year.
However, people who don’t live near ski resorts have even fewer days to snowboard.
So then, what should people who are passionate about snowboarding and want to improve do when they only have about 10 days every year to do so?

I’ve already introduced you to a lot of ways you can practice in the off season.
Trampoline, skateboard, and a snowboard training board to name a few.
But all of these come with a catch.
You may not be able to set up a trampoline in your back yard, and there may not be any places to use a trampoline near where you live.
You can easily buy a skateboard, but finding a place to use it may be difficult.  And if you do it in the streets, you may cause some trouble for your neighbors.
Even if you already have a training boards, you need to have a trampoline as well.
There are training bars that are sold by famous snowboard related companies which are very useful for training at home but they’re limited to practicing jibbing skills and they cost extra money as well.
 
Having all of these would be very beneficial.
However, that would require special circumstances and for you to buy a lot of equipment.
So, isn’t there some kind of cheap alternative way to practice at home, at a park, or even at the office?
 
This time I’d like to introduce some ways to practice free-style without equipment and that can be done anywhere!

For the first one, let’s focus on practicing “Jumps.”
 
You might be asking yourself, “Do I need to practice jumping? It’s just a simple jump.”
You may not be aware of it, but when you’re actually out on the slopes a simple jump a lot of conditions to pull off.
 
First let’s start with the important points for how to practice jumps.

• Delicately adjust and keep your balance
• Imagine going down a slope on the snow
• Relax your upper body
• Keep your head standing straight
• Stretch your knees out all the way when you kick off

Keep these points in mind and your performance on the snow will show results.
Alright then, let’s get started!
 

 1. Vertical Jump

This may be a simple vertical jump, but try to confirm your center of balance.
Keep your head and torso facing forward, jump up with both feet and land with both feet.
Next try facing your head in the direction you’d be going and confirm your center of balance again while you land.
 
 
2. Jumping in the direction you’re moving

Keep yourself focused on your center of balance, and jump with both legs in the direction you’re moving.
Just like if you were snowboarding, face the nose side of the board.
Imagine trying to jump over something.
 
 

3. Horizontal Jump

Face the way you’re moving, and try jumping to your toe side and heel side.
Imagine a box around your chest and back, and try jumping on it.
Jump off with both feet, but make sure to focus on your balance when you land.
 
 

4. 90 Degree Spin

Just like hitting the side wall or half pipe.
You need to add 90 spin in midair to land properly.
You’ll be spinning, but when you land make sure your head is facing the nose.
 
 

5. Jumping over an object

Try using a short, low to the ground object.
Jump over it with both legs, and land with both legs.
This is balance practice, so there’s no need to challenge yourself with high obstacle.
Try not to lose your balance when you land.
 
 

6. Jumping on and off of tall objects

Try jumping on some tall object that’s in your way.
Then immediately try jumping off.
Don’t try to going too high or you could get hurt.
Try extending your hands out in a grabbing motion to help you get used to it.
 
 

7. Horizontal Jumps with varying heights

Try jumping up sideways up some stairs.
Then try jumping down.
Jumping onto elevated surfaces while free riding and onto jibbing items in the park essentially have the same motion as a horizontal jump where you have to jump to different heights. So by practicing all of these while you are not on the snow will help you improve your balance in horizontal jumps when you're on the snow.

You can use these to practice ollie as well.
When doing ollie make sure not to forget to bring your front foot up.
 
How’s that?
Let’s reconfirm those important points again.

• Delicately adjust and keep your balance
• Imagine going down a slope on the snow
• Relax your upper body
• Keep your head standing straight
• Stretch your knees out all the way when you kick off

You can still practice and improve, even if you can’t go snowboarding or don’t have any tools!
Thanks for vising our blog!



Snowboard Dojo Wiz Team
Shu Takaishi


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