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Snowboard Canada
Switch Backside 180
A trick tip with Silvia Mittermuller
Chaloux photos
It's hard to make a Half-Cab look good unless you drop a huge cliff while doing it. Half-Cabs can be fun to play with, but you won't leave a lasting impression on the cute guy behind you unless, before you drop in, you add the most charming smile you have. If you want the guy to remember you without wasting your smiles, a Switch Backside 180 is a better way to go.
First, pick a small jump that is still big enough to do comfortable 3s on. Do a few Backside 180s to warm up. Focus on the way you take off because later you want to do the exact same thing, only switch. Then do a few Frontside 360s and focus on the landing. The second half of a Frontside 3 is basically the same movement as a Switch Backside 180, so this is exactly what you want to land like later.
[1] Approach the jump with the same speed as your warm-up runs—no extra speed-checks because you're scared. It's way harder to land on the deck than in the landing zone.
[2] Go completely straight off the takeoff. A Switch BS 180 is not a heavy rotation, so you don't need to take off on an angle—that just complicates things.
[3] Bend your knees. Make sure your weight is a little more on your back foot and more on your toes than heels.
[4] If you can pop safe Switch Ollies, try to pop a little while leaving the lip. If you're not good at them, let yourself float off the takeoff straight while bringing your front shoulder and head backward so you get into that little backside rotation.
[5] Keep your momentum in the air. Stay balanced, but don't get scared if you feel a little heavier over your toes, as it will ultimately help your landing. A compact grab may help your balance.
[6] The landing is the same as with a Frontside 3. Try to land on your toes first, and look uphill or at your back foot for a moment to avoid over-rotating. If you don't go further than planned, you don't need to open up (as I did).
[7] You did it! Now keep your speed for the next jump and hit a regular Backside 180 if you want to score big-time. Landing back-to-back tricks will help your board control, especially your switch takeoffs. Last but not least, the cute guy from the top will for sure remember you. And you didn't even need your pretty smile (that will now be on your face for the rest of the day because you learned a sweet new trick).
