How to perform a frontside 180.

From ArticleWorld

The frontside 180 is the first trick many snowboarders learn. It is not something for the beginner, but anybody with a bit of snowboarding skill should be able to achieve this.

method

Find somewhere to jump. Local ski slopes are not a good idea, but a small kicker jump dug in your back yard would be ideal (a kicker jump is a small ramp, no higher than your knee).

Wear your helmet, and ask someone to stand by in case you need help. You will probably fall a lot to start with, so be carefully.

Bind yourself to your board, and get ready to jump. Go over the lip a few times before you try the trick. Build up your confidence. Practice your ‘pops’. This is the manoeuvre where you lift your front foot as the board leaves the slope, and then follow with your back foot. To spectators, it should look as though you are lifting both legs at the same time.

Consider whether you would be better off jumping switchfooted (leading with the opposite foot to normal), and landing as normal. Landing the jump is the most difficult part, as the 180 will cause you to face back towards the slope.

Make the jump. As you approach the lip, put your hands towards the back end, and jump as you have been practicing. At the moment of take off, thrust your hands forward, and spin your leading foot backwards (towards the heel).

Be sure not to be leaning over the edge of your board: try and stay straight above it.

Get ready to land. Put your feet down hard, and keep your knees bent. Bend back on your heels to add a bit of weight to your landing. This is the point where you could fall, so be careful.

Hints

Don’t land sideways, and don’t attempt to stop in the middle of the trick.

If you do fall, don’t put your hand out to save yourself. That way you can break your wrist.