Proper Snowboard Heelside and Toeside Turn Technique 101

[@richardkadar7673]

Great stuff Tommy. Textbook breakdowns. When asked "Why 60%/40%?" I provide a teeter-totter analogy, drawing it in the snow. Heavier end will ALWAYS end up going downhill. Thus how backseat riders end up unintentionally going downhill switch. 🤙

[@tommiebennett]

Thanks for the unreal donation my dood.

[@thomasbroleen4241]

Haven't been boarding for 12 years and I'm going in Jan 2024, Tommy's vids have been brilliant to watch, he's instructions are exactly how I was taught over 20 years ago....there's no school like the old school.

[@richardkadar7673]

Perfect video & demo Tommy! Been preaching that 60%/40% weight distribution for 25 yrs. Every new rider, new instructor and back, fishtailing leg rider needs to see this video. Superb breakdown with static, simple, complex, freeride teaching model! 💪🤙💯

[@sadhuandrei9461]

thank you!! Indeed, there’s a LOT of talk about knee steering but like no one actually explains how to do it. Thanks to you, I finally get it

[@Mali-ro1lk]

You are a savior! I've been learning how to snowboard for some time and had gotten good results, but then one day caught a very painful toe edge and hit my head hard. After that, I couldn't bring myself to make proper turns, but after watching your videos and this one in particular I got over my fear because I gained more control over the board❤. Guys, put that pressure on the front leg!!!

[@dennisonjones6530]

Dude this happened to me today how did you get over it

[@Mali-ro1lk]

@ I noticed that it helps when you bend your knees a bit more, that way since you are closer to the ground, you feel safer to carve. Also listening to slightly aggressive or upbeat music helps:)

[@jaredbryce7964]

​@dennisonjones6530 same happened to me last season. I ate shit on glare ice, cracked my helmet, probably had a concussion. It took a few days, but like person above said, keep knees bent a little more, and I went back to slow, easy turns and just went faster each run. You got it

[@Mali-ro1lk]

@ ugh, do take care though: concussion is not one to be taken lightly😖

[@draco7841]

10:10 this just helped me realize why i could never turn😭 saving this for the winter

[@StEZ.]

first person i've seen take a fall for teaching purposes, appreciate it haha

[@BeePerky]

Thanks for the video! Going to snowboard for the first time ever in a few weeks.

[@louiseoostdijk4476]

This was so helpful today! Had an indoor session today (I’m From the Netherlands and we don’t have mountains, so the indoor with actual snow will have to do until my holiday to the mountains) but this knee steaming was such a game changer to get off the lift and get the super small turns and better speed checks going! Thanks!

[@lumb3r_j4ck]

Love to see it - I'm still a mega beginner (as admitted in our IG chat), but this is helpful. I think a key takeaway too is removing the fear and just sending it.. when I get in my own head, I start thinking about things too much and not letting my body flow.

[@Penguinchubb0]

Amen. Fear made me take many more seasons to improve than it should have

[@DDubbs17]

yup- my biggest problem is that I don't like to pick up too much speed, but I love a nice wide slope where I can practice smooth turns at a nice steady pace

[@michaeltrajano4202]

just got back to snowboarding after 30 years. Your vidoes are very helpful and brings back old memories on how to snowboard again. How about giving an old man one of your cool hoodies that you dont wear anymore (donation).

[@David-uj2ms]

Thanks!

[@tommiebennett]

No wayyyy! Thank you so much!

[@codygosselin4363]

Hey Tommie youre my inspiration i did my first backside 360 yesterday!

[@tommiebennett]

Yesssss! Love to see it

[@scaryperryx1050]

This is ONE OF THE BEST COACHING FILMS EVER!!!

[@theminister1154]

good beginner stuff. You should be looking to surpass this VErY quickly though. day 5 even. Watch this guys carving vid if he has one. Better still *watch really good elegant fast AF whole slope carvers* from the lift. _butter knife_ _flat spot_ _butter knife_ cuts at 30mph. those guys. Then imitate them. Follow em if you can! Ask em to do it slow. You'll notice the squat more, unweight by rising, then resquat to set the edge quick the other way. Same principles with bending the board, just more precise & quicker. their board is pretty much always c-shaped unless they're going across the hill or stopping.

[@daver7013]

Thank you, love the video. I’m an old guy still trying to figure this out and I appreciate the instruction.

[@JesusDiomedez]

Oh men, i can’t be more excited to take my trip to north caroline and practice all what I’ve seen in your videos. Thank you for the videos.

[@reannaalmeida1347]

I wish I had seen this video a few years ago before the mountain kicked my ass as I scorpioned my way through learning the fundamentals. This is perfect to show my man of whom I am not attempting to teach. Thank you!!!

[@chrisallen5548]

What a great video, clearly explained, clearly demonstrated, brilliant. Thanks Tommie.

[@JillVT]

I'm her son watching this is going to help a ton you rock man!!!!

[@marcoleynick1014]

I will certainly practice this critical technique on gentle, terrain and focus on keeping my hands and upper body still, like you demonstrate, mr. T… I also learned that this is a terrific technique to make tight controlled, turns in narrow spaces and steeper terrain. PLEASE, consider doing some video where you teach a particular technique to beginner/intermediate/advance snowboarders, noting progression, improvement and success in your students.

[@Catcrumbs]

I had been a confident snowboarder for many years, but whenever I tried to go switch, I found heelside turns impossible. That all changed when I learned about knee steering. Within a week of trying it for the first time, I was able to ride switch from the top to the bottom of the main blue on my hill. I dunno if I had a fit issue or if it's a good technique cue, but when riding switch, I found pushing my front foot towards the nose of the board while knee steering really helped exert some authority on my turns. Knee steering also helped me ride with more control and less fatigue in general, compared to thinking in terms of heel-toe 'pedal action', as I used to. 'Game-changing' is often overused, but I think it's appropriate here.

[@ryanstewart1521]

Thanks for explaining this, I dont think about how to turn but this will help me get better at switch. Seems simple, but explaining it like you do makes it all come together.

[@Goldbergfitness]

Watched the first 5 minutes of this and was already learning a lot. I’m a more beginner/ intermediate rider. 6 season of only several trips to Vermont a year at the most. This is great advice as I sometimes forget what I’m doing lol Ride mostly blues.

[@DannerBanks]

"squash the bug; open the door" - toeside to heelside. I learned how to ride switch so fast with this technique. Not sure why people teach that you steer with your rear foot. Simply not true

[@crthejediknightninja]

So I didn't have any particular explainable method to HOW I was turning and stopping on my board, I just did falling leaf on both edges and then into large S traversals as a beginner till I got the feel for switching from heel to toe, but I watched another video on this method and decided to try it rather than just riding how I normally did, and the control and edge engagement I got out of it was phenomenal, and I have no way of knowing how clean my lines were, but I definitely think it helps with carving as well, felt so much smoother and cleaner, at least it did for me, combining it with how I normally ride.

[@Direitistaconservador]

Nice vid!! Im a beginner with 6 days of Snowboaring and now I'm able to do short turns right and left, but away smoother then these u are doing ... actually the pressure on Ur lead foot it's very important, but beginner has me avoid that because of the speed u get. I only put that pressure on flat surfaces, not on slops....next year this is my goal, try to do more energetic turn's !!!! Thanks

[@joelholland8523]

Bro that was so well explained. Keep it coming

[@emielcors]

Yooo i just started linking turns today (with a lot of falling because it's hella steep in the swiss alps) and this will help a lot for tomorrow!!

[@DerekRobertsonSomerville]

Best description for proper turns out there 🎉 Also, analogy, use your knees like a torch 😂

[@harikrishnasiliveri1364]

Thanks for the video benny!!

[@Krasnansky]

This video FINALLY got me to fix my toe side turns! Thanks!

[@nynoah]

I described this as torsional turn initiation. Technically what is happening is the board is having its shape manipulated drag and lighten different aspects of the board edge. Torsion twist needs to be more or less depending on body core weight distribution too. It’s all about manipulation drag characteristics to manipulate a change in angle of travel.

[@ruthr.8496]

I could not stop falling trying to figure this out so I will try again with these tips 😤

[@ImDino]

Your website looks great!

[@thomasbroleen4241]

Watched about 4 of you vids today (plus loads of other instructional snowboard KZbinrs) your instruction is way way better than anyone else I've watched so far.👏👏👏

[@tommiebennett]

I appreciate it and sooooo stoked you like the nerd!

[@JP-zn8md]

I've been trying understand and learn how to do this. Thanks for simplifying and teaching. Winter is here and its time to practice

[@cosmiclion6765]

I love the explanation of letting your shin lean on your front boot for toe Edge. Someone asked me if my calves get sore from toe side carves turns etc.. if you do this like Tommy says, they should not be doing the majority of the work. Thanks Tommy.

[@tacojohns3432]

literally solved my switch riding problem, thank you so much

[@winunix]

Wish I met your KZbin channel 3 years ago! Thank you so much Jedi master for all these awesome tutorial 😍. Taking my snowboarding to the next level since I follow you. Your hoodies are georgeous btw

[@snap8386]

Best video ever.

[@jamunoz8774]

Great tutorial 👌❄️

[@lesterma1608]

The new surf oriented boards have nose bottom convex and side cut set back for less front end initiation and more backfoont pressure as well as set back binding stance! Way more fun!

[@Alex_Z95]

I am very beginner and I'm really struggling to steer my plank. In one attempt I put all my strength to steer it and I injured my knee slightly.If I play more with Toes and Heels maybe I could steer it easier? You said on the vid that the plank needs to be on the edge to turn.

[@phirumkentosuzuki2239]

Dude, golden advice. Thank you. Too bad snow season is almost over in Japan

[@chain2001]

Brilliant….. thank you….

[@maxsandig3090]

That helped me so good. I am riding goofy left good leading. but had problem with my standing right food. My thigh cramps all the time because I turn with my hips and my right calf has noch muscle function because of an operation in my lower back. I will try this technique to find out if it works better for me. I am an experienced rider but never changed my way but now I need to. Thanks for your tips. Regards max

[@chrisfaliao4675]

You mentioned carving would be different technique than knee steering? Could you elaborate in a new video for this?

[@PowPig]

It's really the same technique with the knee initiation but instead of stacking your weight evenly after the turn to slow down, you continue your momentum across the fall line with more of an edge angle to continue or increase your speed. (Slicing the snow instead of skidding... or spreading peanut butter as Tommy says).

[@micahemerson388]

Carving is different because when you’re carving you’re hopping from edge to edge instead of instead of using turns to regulate speed.

[@longebane]

@@micahemerson388that’s not right. Knee steering can be incorporated in carving. They aren’t mutually exclusive

[@micahemerson388]

@@longebane Right, knee steering is used to initiate turns while carving, but knee steering alone is just that, initiating turns. I figured he was asking the difference between carving and just knee steering. Although you use knee steering when carving, just because you’re knee steering doesn’t mean you’re carving.

[@Lancalot098]

Is it that knee steering is a technique while carving is a technique as well as describes the outcome? You can knee steer to carve but you cant carve to knee steer

[@sophitran]

Thank you Professor Tommie , I’m still struggling with toe side and how to make s turns connect better. Can’t wait to apply this on my next trip !

[@carloscappellini1687]

Superb teacher

[@omeysanjel]

Thank you so much

[@Wynton25]

I was having the hardest time on heelside definitely trying this

[@LazerDaRoyalPython19]

this will save me so much pain…. I’m watching this before my second ever time touching a snowboard!

[@Runetone]

You need to do more hand gestures when explaining.. 🤣🤣

[@the7thwave520]

1) i ordered some gear from Benetek and used it today on the slopes and it was awesome. 2) I have been watching your videos for weeks now, saving them all, and this video specifically I have seen over 30 times. 3) I appreciate you teaching, you’re masterful at it. I applied these techniques today and by the end of the night the combinations were coming together. Truly unbelievable what good technique does. Again, thank you!!! I appreciate you big dawg 🤙🏽

[@dean6267]

Great video very helpful 👍🤟

[@tommiebennett]

Stoked you like it!

[@dean6267]

The best break down on how to do turns👍🤟. Will you do the same style video for carve turns?

[@MarcVe981]

When you start to point your board down the fallline its looks like you're floating. Your board turns where you stand. When i want to turn my board into the fallline i start traversing. What am i doing wrong. Great video's. Thanx from The Netherlands

[@DoPtRiGGa]

Put more weight on your front foot and wait for it to come around, if its not coming around as fast as youd like maybe some hips and bring your tail end around which should flow smoothly and easily since the weight is towards your front foot

[@MarcVe981]

What i meant is what he does from minuten 7:24 till 7:35. Doenst look like he is shifting much weight. Looks more like twisting his body and lifting back leg.

[@sunnygold7513]

Thanks it ws a great refresher. One of the problems i was running into were my toes were hurting a lot. I was wondering if I was gripping my toes down too hard during turns.

[@transgender_aufklärung_de]

Thanks to your friend too🤝

[@kingheil1970]

Ok when ur counting. Ur kinda going straight. Do u have your board flat or. Are u on ur heels a little.

[@wagyu9170]

Any drills for building up confidence on putting weight on front leg? I found it’s really difficult to commit 😢

[@JWink118]

I found that it helped to practice the technique at home in my socks. By moving my front leg/shoulder in the ways that Tommie mentions, then swinging out my back leg as it would on the board, it helped me to be more comfortable with 60/40. As he mentions in the video, start of on a hill that's less steep, then work your way up as you get more comfortable.

[@chadr2604]

There is a yaw type motion with any snowboard just like dutch roll on an airplane. If you get too aggressive stomping the rudder down it will spin. It works the same way the knee is like the rudder and the edges are like the ailerons

[@alexesparzapaulin1103]

I love ur kitchen gloves dute 🤘🏽

[@cheche1301]

thank you. I can't wait til i try this next time 'im on the slope.

[@dodwellleung5765]

It is a video for beginner but as a beginner, turning the board to point straight to the slope from a standing-still position (either on heel side or toe side) is also difficult that the video does not mention how to. It would be better if you can show the movement from standing-still as a beginner.

[@poster3452]

Cant wait for the season

[@THiNK103088]

Homie lying down behind you was just soaking in the advice lol

[@sallykwok3362]

Where is this place,the slope trail is long for practicing

[@leonosbo]

This is a nice snowboard for the money. The kids like it because it has the sturdy foot straps.

[@deline8ed619]

Excellent.

[@edenalde6543]

When you turn from your toe how how you do it without catching the edge of the board that where I’m bad at it

[@Golstar406]

Good lesson! Were you an instructor before?

[@MichaelNguyen-i5d]

Where is it? Thank you.

[@milossimicsimo]

When you say 60% on the fron foot...is that just in the moment when you want to initiate turn, or all the time wjile you are riding? It looks to me that 60% rule is when you want to initiate turn, and when you are on the other edge, you than go back to that stacked position. Is that correct?

[@RichardFangLiu]

Can someone explain what happened in 12:57 in more detail? As a beginner snowboarder, this is my main problem with my heelside turns (surprisingly my toe sides are way more comfortable).

[@CameronWink]

Get lower and let your knees eat it. Notice he straight-legged to make that happen. Don't press too much edge or turn too sharp, ride it out a bit further

[@CameronWink]

Notice he has some bend to his knees typically but there he straightened out

[@davemitchell3998]

Do you use the back leg to apply pressure at any point through the turn ?

[@luisrivas7814]

I’m pretty sure, you’ll need to apply pressure with the back foot if your goal is to brake or control your speed

[@boriscima8134]

as he said 60% on the front leg it would be 40% on the back leg

[@davemitchell3998]

@@luisrivas7814 was thinking for carving

[@ysb362]

Is it the front or back that should be the lead foot??

[@williamhall7391]

Can I ride w you this year? Are you ever on the east coast?

[@JaDy-pn8tz]

great vid

[@patrickdunne1508]

Where is this please? What are are you skiing on? Slopes look lovely 🇮🇪

[@fazcaz5968]

Copper in Colorado USA

[@MrArjay123]

Tommy ! May I ask what’s your stance angle is how how far apart the bindings are ?!

[@traviswhite771]

Can surf, skate, and kiteboard np but after a few nasty toe to heel wipeouts, am nervous and have lost confidence. How do you go from toe, then to flat board, then to heel to carve the other way, without going from toe side to immediate heel and eating it? Any tips appriciated

[@cleaningconi]

I've been snowboarding for over a year but have only got out on the snow for around 9 hours. I find your videos extremely helpful. This weekend we were away to an indoor slope England and have found that im starting to pick up on how to turn and this video has been extremely helpful. Roll on the next trip 🎉🎉

[@tommiebennett]

Yoooo! Love to hear that and have fun in the indoor place

[@DanielS10291]

I can turn left to right easily. But im dreadful at turning right to left. I ride regular left foot forward. No idea why turns are like this for me. Is it normal?

[@redlinenorma1]

Nice vid, is next one gonna be about board torsional twist turn? 😀

[@tommiebennett]

Def a great idea

[@shofarsogood7504]

Becoming American Malcom more!

[@Sworn973]

Where is this mountain?

[@tommiebennett]

Copper mountain Colorado :)

[@samrogers2282]

Is that an ultra wide board !?

[@Tossle]

Going to try this. My toes are always killing me

[@ysb362]

Your awesome ❤

[@gonzalosp91]

Awesome technique ! Should I be starting the turn by rotating the chest just before knee steering? Thanks a lot! Love your videos!

[@G2thesecondpower]

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say no. When you twist your upper body away from your lower body you become really out of balance on the board.

[@barrettlee9287]

I try to preach knee steering to everyone, it's vital

[@reddysteddy2195]

I think I need to put more weight over my front leg and a bit more knee bend, I checked the tape and I look slightly more in the back seat than this even though it doesn't feel like it when I'm riding.

[@ghettokilluh]

Same here. Going to have to do this this weekend

[@DoPtRiGGa]

Back seat is great for powder to keep your nose up otherwise yea you don't wanna be in the back seat

[@MikeH0311]

Definitely hard to get good at snowboarding when u live up in the north east of Pennsylvania don’t think we had more then 5 ft of snow last season

[@therealcfiddy592]

Well what if im always carving

[@pewpewpro3309]

Does this technique change with a direction board? I have a Cold Bree and sometimes it feels like my board is so slow to the turn. Is that too much weight on my back foot?

[@cs9742]

Is that Copper?

[@tommiebennett]

Yeah!!!

[@ericperry28able]

What’s crazy is that I do this naturally never knew it was ground breaking

[@AkPowderHound]

What about powder steering

[@zhansayabulegenova358]

I caught the edge just by watching it

[@apolloex00]

i shouldve watched this before i went today. I ate shit down a mountain.

[@TeamDNABJJ]

I feel that one 😂😂😂

[@Sam-qr4gd]

Same

[@ArnarLogi-ve7zv]

I feel you😂😂

[@zacksydnor4346]

i think this video best describes how to turn on a snowboard, no one teaches this!