The major sports in which you will hear the term goofy footer are skate boarding, surfing and snowboarding. In these sports, stance is important. Not only does it affect your balance, but it affects how easy it is to perform complex tricks. Some skateboarders, surfers and snowboarders switch between stances while they're riding to increase the difficulty and aesthetic appeal of the tricks they perform.
Types
You can adopt two basic stances while standing on a board. Regular stance means you put your left foot forward. Goofy foot stance means you put your right foot forward. Some people feel more comfortable with one stance than the other, so the choice of stance boils down to preference.
Choosing a Stance
The best way to determine which stance works best for you is to try out both. For example, if you plan to skateboard, pick a safe area and place your dominant foot forward on the board. Push off with your back foot. If you feel comfortable, you have found your stance. If not, try the other foot. If you're lucky, you'll find your stance immediately.
Foot Dominance
If you're still not sure after riding on the board, you'll have to perform some tests to determine whether you prefer goofy foot or regular stance. Many people like having their dominant foot on the back of the board. This helps them balance themselves naturally and quickly. Place whichever foot you kick a soccer ball with on the back of the board. For example, if you kick with your right foot, that means your left foot would be at the front of the board, which is regular stance. Test the stance out.
Balancing
Foot dominance is not always a good predictor, so you might have to perform more tests to decide between regular and goofy foot stance. The key is to determine which foot you naturally and unconsciously balance yourself with when you are not paying attention. To determine this, stand up straight with your feet close together. Lean forward until you have to kick out a leg to balance yourself. Chances are the foot you move is the one that should go on the back of the board. Practice riding for a while to ensure you have chosen the correct stance.
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