| How do you learn to do those amazing snowboarding | | | | idea to take a step or 2 back and just execute |
| tricks that the pros do? Launching into the air to | | | | some of the skills or trick you have successfully |
| perform 360s, 540s and all sorts of other flips and | | | | learned to have some fun and get that confidence |
| tricks seem like something you would like to do? | | | | level back up to the point where you are ready to |
| Well, for me, the craziness of doing snowboarding | | | | believe that your are going to stick that new trick |
| tricks has added rich rewards, passion and drive to | | | | "soon". Maybe not the next try, but soon. |
| my life. It is just the feeling of stepping up to a scary | | | | Here we land on the subject of patience. It is so |
| athletically challenging moment, reining in the emotion | | | | important in so many ways. Being patient as a |
| and fear, to focus your mental alertness into full | | | | beginner and every step of the way to develop and |
| commitment to execute and land trick. The feeling as | | | | maintain good basic skills before and during attempts |
| you ride away from the perfect landing of a new | | | | at freestyle spinning and flipping tricks. I have seen |
| trick is fuel for the passion to do it again and again. | | | | so many riders that have great talent for air |
| Of course as you learn to do more and more tricks | | | | awareness, but they do not take the time to learn |
| the riding just gets more and more fun. Doing tricks | | | | to carve a good turn. Being in good control in the air |
| you have already landed is also incredibly enjoyable, | | | | depends of being in good control on the snow. |
| but it is in those moments of fear that we learn | | | | Not only is patience important in terms of |
| what type of rider we are capable of becoming. | | | | progression, it is also crucial in the execution of tricks. |
| As a beginner, we are in a position to enjoy each | | | | It is common in jumping and in the half pipe for riders |
| success of thousands of progression steps on the | | | | to get anxious as they approach the take-off. This |
| road to become a better rider. Early on it is important | | | | will cause the rider to start the take-off motion too |
| to get into the habit of enjoying things that work | | | | early, leading to all sorts of problems, all of which fall |
| and giving yourself credit for each progression step | | | | into the arena of "less control". To maintain precise |
| towards a better skills base. A slightly better turn, | | | | control a rider will be very patient and calm as they |
| getting better at riding switch of even getting off | | | | approach a feature. A term I use a lot on the hill is |
| the lift without falling. Developing confidence by | | | | "wait and snap". This can apply to the take-off step |
| enjoying the process of being scared of something | | | | of nearly all moves or tricks. |
| that "feels weird", then stepping up and doing it and | | | | Now, what about the idea of using "The Force". It is |
| practicing it, getting better at it and finding the place | | | | about trusting your instincts and letting go of doubt |
| where that action now feels good and natural. | | | | and expectation. It is about harnessing the |
| Part of developing confidence is always being ready | | | | confidence that you have developed into an |
| to "get back on the horse". As we try to learn new | | | | enlightened form that allows for the "I can do |
| things, we will always make mistakes, have falls and | | | | anything" mentality. Any great athlete accomplishes |
| experience setbacks. Nobody ever became a master | | | | great things by believing they can first and fore-most. |
| overnight. It is crucial to get into the habit of "letting | | | | Combine appreciation for success (no matter how |
| go" of negative energy that comes up through | | | | small), letting go of negativity, practice, hard work, |
| frustration and disappointment when things do not go | | | | practice, patience and trust in your instincts and you |
| right. Let go, and get back on that horse with the | | | | will find yourself getting better all the time. It is an |
| memory of all the things that have gone right to get | | | | amazing way to live. Go out and do it. |
| you to this new challenge. Sometimes it is a good | | | | |