The proper foot position in snowboarding is based on personal preference as well as riding style. Most snowboards are equipped with a series of bolt-mounting holes or a depressed channel for installing the bindings. There is a myriad of ways to mount the bindings on your snowboard to ensure a balanced stance.
Goofy vs. Regular
In snowboarding, there are two dominant riding stances known as goofy and regular. If you ride with your left foot in the lead position, you have a regular riding stance; if your right foot is forward, it's a goofy stance. The bolt-mounting holes and channels allows you to install the bindings in a regular or goofy position. When mounted in a regular stance, the toe edge of the bindings should point toward the right edge of the snowboard. Simply reverse the position of the bindings to mount them in a goofy riding stance.
Centered Stance
Many snowboarders prefer to attach their bindings at the center-most bolt-mounting holes. A centered stance allows you to keep your body weight evenly distributed across the snowboard during high-speed maneuvers and hairpin turns. Most snowboards designed for beginners feature bindings installed in the centered stance. Freestyle riders often place their bindings in a centered position, as this allows you to ride in a switch stance without the tail of the board digging into the snow.
Binding Setback
Bindings with a slight amount of setback or offset are installed closer to the tail of the snowboard. Moving your bindings backward across the bolt-mounting holes will increase the amount of setback. According to the 360 Guide website, putting your bindings farther back will place the majority of your body weight on the tail of the snowboard. Backcountry snowboarders often place their bindings in the setback position, which allows the nose of the board to stay elevated in deep mounds of powder snow.
Binding Angle/Stance Width
Snowboard bindings are equipped with a removable base plate that allows you to adjust the angle of your feet. It might feel uncomfortable to keep both your bindings parallel to the toe edge of the snowboard. Many riders prefer to angle their front foot slightly for increased board control when turning. You can also adjust the width of your riding stance by increasing or decreasing the distance between the bindings. To ensure a balanced riding stance, the distance between the bindings should correspond with the width of your shoulders.
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