The foreign word, which means "free style", has entered the Russian language for a long time and is used in many areas of life, including dancing, vocals and music in general. However, most often this term refers specifically to skiing and snowboarding. Freestyle is, rather, even a way of life than just outdoor activities.
What is this all about?
Freestyle means acrobatic jumps of different levels of complexity and shape. Athletes often not only perform classical types of tricks, but also try to find new ways to arouse admiration from the public. It may seem like it's an amateur kind of snowboarding or skiing, but it's quite the opposite.
Freestyle is a sport for professionals and those who aspire to become them. Moreover, this is a separate branch and without special jumps and trails, you most likely will not succeed in a single trick. Therefore, freestyle schools must have specially equipped snow parks. Also, each jump is evaluated: its quality depends on the height, correct execution and landing, and other factors. A distinctive feature of the style is the spectacular and aesthetic tricks.
The roots and disciplines of freestyle skiing
- Thanks to ski acrobatics, which has been part of the Olympic Games since 1994, freestyle has appeared. This is a discipline where athletes do not use sticks at a speed of 60 km / h and during a double or triple somersault they simply do not need them.
- The higher and longer the jump, the more points you can get by practicing freestyle. Ski acrobatics is also one of the most popular flavors of style.
- With the increasing popularity of this sport on the snowy slopes, hillocks began to form, which are called Moguls, which is why the discipline of “Moguls” appeared - downhill skiing.
- One of the most complex and spectacular freestyle branches is ski cross. Here the main task is to come to the finish line first, but with so many turns, jumps and waves it is difficult to guess who will be the winner. Too great a chance to get out of the race or just fall.
- Half-pipe is also popular - performing tricks on a U-shaped half-pipe covered with a dense layer of snow. Athletes ride from side to side, flying over the sides and demonstrating their skills.
- And finally, slope style, where at the maximum height of the jump perform rotations, glide along the railing, grab the edges of the skis and somersault. To prove their professionalism, participants need to use every obstacle in the distance for tricks.
Varieties of freestyle snowboarding
There are five main areas of this technique that differ from each other by the surface on which the jumps are performed:
- Big Air - tricks from special jumps.
- Jibbing - jumping on the railing and curbs.
- Half pipe is the same as freestyle skiing. The snowboard rides from side to side in an arc, develops speed and rises into the air, allowing you to do tricks.
- Slopestyle - described above, only here athletes use the board.
- Flat surface - jumps are performed on a snowy, even descent, and any natural hillock is used as a springboard.
Basic Board Tricks
The basic elements of freestyle on a flat surface are ollie and nollie. They differ from each other only in the direction of the jump:
- To make an allie, you need to transfer the body weight to the tail of the snowboard, and at the same time raise your nose. After that, push your supporting leg off the ground and pull both legs toward you, you should get a jump.
- And for a nolly, you need to start the trick from the nose, that is, raise the tail, and then jump. It’s hard to do at speed, but on the spot is pretty simple.
When you master the basic tricks, you can begin to move on to elements in motion and with the freestyle technique. Snowboarding is a part of you, you should not forget about it while doing the jumps:
- Willie will help to make an allie and nollie at speed - sliding along a slope with the nose or tail of the board raised into the air.
- Switch - change of the leading leg. That is, if you usually ride with the right foot in front, then here in front you will have the left.
- Air - when during the jump the lower part of the board looks up, one of the most impressive tricks.
- Nose / Theil roll - 180 degrees rotation, while only one end of the board rises into the air.
- Rotations - there are different angles, and if they are small, 180 or 360, for example, do not require a jump, then when turning 900 degrees it is better to do it from the springboard. To maintain balance, to land, performing this type of freestyle , you need two legs at once.
- Fifti-fifti - usually done on the side, railing or rail, the main thing is to keep the board parallel to the floor.
- Boardslide - sliding the board perpendicular to the obstacle. Putting the board 90 degrees will help the Allie trick.
- Board grab (grab) - when the athlete grabs the board with his hand. This is not so difficult to do: in a jump, bend your legs under you, thereby bringing the board closer to you. Grab can be performed on skis.
Freestyle is what It will help you feel the freedom of action on the move, and it doesn’t matter whether you are skiing or snowboarding. If you strive to perform tricks and not give up, you will soon be able to hit friends with your incredible jumps.