There’s nothing quite like the thrill of standing on a longboard for the first time. You’re excited, nervous, and ready to surf the pavement. However, before you can enjoy the ride, you must first improve your longboard stance. A good stance is a key to a comfortable and successful ride. But how to stand on a longboard and what exactly is a longboard stance?
Proper stance is key to performing tricks and maneuvers, so getting it right from the start is essential. Yes, you’ll probably fall a few times while you’re learning – but trust me, it’s totally worth it in the end. When it comes to longboarding, there are a variety of stance options that riders can use to help them execute the desired techniques and riding styles. In this post, we take a closer look at some of the most common longboard stances and how they can be used to improve your overall riding experience.
What is the Longboard Stance?
Learning how to longboard is all about your stance. That’s not just for what you’re doing with the board, but also where in general terms this refers: Proper foot placement and body posture while riding.”
“A fundamental aspect of learning longboarding is understanding the basics of longboarding!”. So, before you begin your longboarding adventure, it is essential to understand the longboard stance.
The longboard stance is the most natural and comfortable way to ride a longboard. It involves standing shoulder-width apart, with your front foot facing straight forward and your back foot pointed slightly to the side. This stance helps you maintain balance and control while riding and allows you to make quick turns when necessary. There are two main types of longboard stances- Regular and Goofy.
The stance you chose will be determined by your riding style and what feels most comfortable to you.
Regular Stance: As shown in the image above if you ride your board with your left foot forward and you push with your right foot that’s a regular stance.
Goofy Stance: If you step on your skateboard or a longboard with your right foot in the front and you push with your left foot that’s a goofy stance.
Longboarding is different from most other sports because you’ll eventually learn how to ride and do tricks in both stances. However, when you’re getting started, it’ll most likely be easier for you to choose one of the two stances and stick with it for a while so your body can get used to it.
How to determine your longboard stance?
There are two main ways to stand on a longboard – regular-footed and goofy-footed. But how do you know which stance is best for you?
It’s all about comfort. Think of it like throwing a baseball. You can either throw with your right hand or your left hand. You may be able to do both, but one will feel more comfortable than the other.
The same goes for longboarding. Practice both regular-footed and goofy-footed stances, and see which one feels more natural.
Skate around each stance for about 15 minutes and see which feels more natural. After that time, you should be able to quickly tell which stance (goofy or regular) works better for you. If you find that one foot feels more comfortable pushing than the other, then that’s probably your dominant foot, and you should skate with that foot in front.
Don’t worry if neither feels natural at first – just give both a try for a little while and see which one you’re more comfortable with by the end of the day.
How to Stand On a Longboard?
Learning to stand on a longboard is the most fundamental skill that any longboarder can learn, and if you do it incorrectly, you may be reinforcing bad habits and playing catch-up for months or even years. I recommend starting with medium or firmly tightened trucks, so you don’t wobble too much from side to side. Proper foot placement and weight distribution are the most important factors to consider while learning to stand on a longboard.
1. Longboarding Foot Placement
Goofy riders put their right foot in front of the board, whereas regular riders put their left foot in front. The foot you place at the front of the longboard should be near the screws of the truck. It should also be reasonably vertical with the deck. Your back foot should be near the screws and the back of the deck. It should be horizontal in relation to the deck. This allows you to apply pressure evenly and effectively when turning or carving. Experiment with different foot placements until you find what works best for you.
2. Proper weight distribution
When it comes to longboarding stance, one of the most important things to keep in mind is weight distribution. You want to ensure that your weight is evenly distributed from front to back and from side to side. This will help you stay balanced and stable on your board and prevent you from tipping over or losing control.
There are a few different ways that you can achieve adequate weight distribution while standing on a longboard:
- You can adjust your stance until you feel comfortable and well-balanced.
- You can shift your weight from one foot to the other as needed to maintain stability.
- You can use your arms and upper body to help keep yourself balanced.
Once you find a stance and weight distribution that works well for you, practice riding in a straight line and making turns. This will help you get a feel for how your weight affects the longboard and how to control it. With a bit of practice, you’ll be able to stay balanced and ride like a pro!
Proper Stance while riding your skateboard or a longboard
Position of your body
When you are skating, it is crucial to have a good balance. You should stand with your feet perpendicular to the board and your shoulders in line with your feet. Keep your back straight and look straight ahead to establish your balance or comfortable posture. You may need to shift your weight from side to side, forward, and back to find a relaxed posture. To turn, for example, the action should come from your shoulders.
Bend your knees
The second step is key if you want to learn how to stand on your board correctly. You must bend your knees and place your feet at right angles to the deck. It’s important to stay flexible in this position so that you can find the correct balance. Try bending and straightening your knees a few times, keeping your feet flat on the board. The more flexible you are, the easier it will be to stay balanced.
Use your arms
When riding your board, it is essential to use your arms for added strength and stability. Bend and stretch your arms when jumping to add power to your jump. Hold your arms out in the direction of the rotation to assist reinforce the action. You must also utilise your arms when bending down on your skateboard to counterbalance your weight. When skating, good arm posture will result in a better overall stance.
Common Mistakes to avoid while standing and riding the longboard or skateboard.
Moving your weight or front foot too far forwards
If you’re moving your weight or front foot too far forwards, it can be hard to balance, and you’re more likely to get thrown off if you hit tweaks or bits of grit. Keep your weight properly distributed on each of your legs by riding with your feet not too near or too far apart.
Leaning back or putting your front foot too far back
If you lean back or place your front foot too far back, the nose of the board will pop up, making it difficult to control your steering. The best way to set your feet is by placing them slightly wider than shoulder-width apart and with your front foot pointing straight ahead. If you’re having trouble keeping your balance, try to find a flat spot on the ground to practice on.
Moving your weight too far on one side or the other
Moving your weight too far on one side or the other makes it hard to balance and difficult to go in a straight line.
Foot facing sideways rather than facing forwards
This turns your hips and makes pushing and balancing difficult; as a result, you will most likely take little steps to compensate.
Turning the front foot too soon
It is essential that you get used to changing your feet quickly when riding, but take your time getting used to the balance. Turning the front foot too jerkily can cause the board to spin or throw you off, mainly if you use coarse grip tape.
You’re pushing stroke is too small
Every time you push, you must adjust your balance; taking fewer, more forceful strokes is preferable to many little ones. Having your body or legs excessively rigid also makes it difficult to balance, and a minor bump might throw you off.
Conclusion
That’s it! Those are the basics of how to stand on a longboard. Remember, find your comfortable stance and practice until you feel confident riding in that position. If you have any questions or want more information, please leave a comment below. And be sure to check out our other posts for more tips on What Size Longboard Should I Get?. Happy shredding!
