Best Snowboard Tricks: Backflip and 360

Best Snowboard Tricks: Backflip and 360
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Freestyle snowboarding tricks involve aerial spins and flips. The backflip and 360 are two prominent snowboarding tricks. Avid riders add variations to increase the difficulty of the backflip and 360 maneuver. The best backflip and 360 combinations involve grabbing the edge of the board. Practice your backflip and 360 spins on an inclined snow kicker or half-pipe ramp.

Backflip Variations

The backflip can be an intimidating maneuver to learn as it involves being in an inverted body position while floating through the air. Approach the ramp with a medium amount of speed. Jump as high as you can while throwing your head backwards. Pro snowboarder Jared Johnson recommends grabbing the toe edge of the snowboard with your dominant hand while performing the backflip. Grab the toe edge of your board with your non-dominant hand to perform a backflip.

Double Backflip

The double backflip is an expert-level snowboarding maneuver that is often performed in best-trick contests and professional level competitions. According to ESPN, Shaun White won the 2011 X-Games with a double backflip variation known as the double cork 1080. White's contest-winning trick consisted of two backwards flips with a 1,080-degree spin. To perform even the most basic double backflip, you will need to jump around 8 feet above the top lip of the snowboarding ramp.

360 Variations

The 360 is one of the most basic snowboarding spins. The most stylish variations of the 360 degree rotation are known as off-axis spins. Keep your snowboard perpendicular to the ground for extra style points. Approach the ramp with a medium amount of speed. Begin rotating your shoulders before jumping vertically off the apex of the ramp. Grab the nose of the board while shifting your body weight sideways. Lower your eyes to the ground to spot your landing. Hold the tail of the board on your next attempt to perform an off-axis 360 tail grab.

Backflip 360

Once you have mastered the backflip and the 360 spin, combine the maneuvers to increase your bag of tricks. Approach the ramp with a comfortable amount of speed to ensure you have enough air time to complete the flip and spin. Begin rotating your shoulders as you reach the apex of the ramp. Jump vertically while throwing your head backwards. Grab the edge of the board with your dominant hand to compress your riding stance. Lower your eyes to the ground as you flip upside down. Release the edge of the board as you complete the 360.

References

Article reviewed by Eric Althoff Last updated on: Apr 29, 2012

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