How to Change Your Snowboard to Switchfoot

In snowboarding terms, switchfoot means riding either with your dominant foot forward or your nondominant foot forward. Riding switch, as it's also called, is a helpful skill when doing tricks in the park, as it allows you to set up for and land jumps with either end of your board pointing downhill. You don't need to change your bindings to ride switch, but you may find it helpful to adjust them slightly if you spend a lot of time in the park.

Things You'll Need

  • Phillips screwdriver
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Instructions

    • 1

      Set your board on the floor or a table where you can easily access the bindings.

    • 2

      Unscrew the bindings from the board by loosening the screws in the circular plate and removing the plate from the board. Set the plate with the screws aside.

    • 3

      Determine your stance. Stance is the distance between your feet on the board. For most riders, the ideal stance is slightly wider than the distance from shoulder to shoulder. Many boards come with a manufacturer's recommended stance width. Switch riders, especially those with experience, may find it better to set their stance slightly narrower than the manufacturer's recommendation because it makes manipulating the board in the park easier.

    • 4

      Center your bindings on the your board's connection points. Connection points are where the bindings attach to the board. There are usually six to 12 of these points, or holes, or one long channel, underneath each binding, depending on your board. Measure the width of your desired stance and place your bindings in the center connection points under each foot. Setting your bindings in the center offers better control and easier turning capability, which is necessary when riding switch.

    • 5

      Place the plate with the screws in the bindings and use your Phillips screwdriver to loosely screw in the screws, just until they start to catch.

    • 6

      Determine your stance angle. Stance angle is the direction your bindings point and is rated by degree. A zero-degree angle is when the feet point straight out, not forward or back; bindings should never be set at this angle. Switch riders will find it easiest to ride with a duck stance, meaning both feet turn out slightly. This provides more control when landing jumps in both directions. The amount of angle at which you set your bindings will depend on your personal preferences, but a common duck stance is +15 degrees front/-3 degrees rear.

    • 7

      Set your angle by dialing the bindings to align with the corresponding degree markings, then use your Phillips screwdriver to tighten your bindings.