Any trick in the halfpipe where the wall is approached riding forwards, no rotation is made, and the snowboarder lands riding backwards.
Alley Oop
A term used to describe any maneuver in the halfpipe where one rotates 180 or more degrees in an uphill direction; that is, rotating backside on the frontside wall, or rotating frontside on the backside wall.
Andrecht
A rear handed backside handplant with a front-handed grab.
The backside of the snowboard is the side where the heels rest; and the backside of the snowboarder is the side to which his/her back faces.
Backside Air
Any air performed on the backside wall of the halfpipe.
Backside Rotation
Rotating clockwise for a regular-footer, and rotating counter-clockwise for a goofy-footer (e.g. backside 360). Note: When riding switch-stance, the exact reverse applies and a regular-footer will rotate counter-clockwise and a goofy-footer will rotate clockwise.
Backside Turn
A turn where the heel edge faces to the outside of the turn while the snowboard is riding on the toe edge. In other words, a right turn for a regular-footer and a left turn for a goofy-footer.
Backside Wall
When standing at the top of the halfpipe and looking down towards the bottom, the backside wall is the left wall for regular-footers and the right wall for goofy-footers. If you ride straight down the center of the halfpipe your backside wall is behind you.
Bevel
The degree of angle to which the edges of a snowboard are tuned. Snowboards used for racing and carving should have a greater bevel than say a snowboard used in the halfpipe.
Blindside
A term given to any rotation where the snowboarder has oriented themselves "blind" to their takeoff or landing and must stretch to look over their shoulder. Such a technique usually increases the difficulty. (e.g. A backside alley oop air in the halfpipe is often harder than a frontside alley oop air because it is blindside).
Boned
A term used to explain the emphasis of style in a trick. In other words, if someone "boned out a method" they would grab hard and create an emphasis of the maneuver such that his/her legs or arms may appear extended or stretched to a maximum degree. To "Bone" means to straighten one or both legs.
Bonk
The act of hitting an object with the snowboard (e.g. A tail bonk could be hitting a picnic table with the tail of the snowboard).
A halfpipe trick that begins fakie, spins 360 degrees, and lands riding forward. Named after skateboarding guru, Steve Caballero. Also see Half-Cab and Gay Twist
Canadian Bacon Air
The rear hand reaches behind the rear leg to grab the toe edge between the bindings while the rear leg is boned.
Cant
A term used to describe the angle at which either foot is positioned medial or lateral from a vertical axis. In other words, how much angle beneath your feet from side to side bends your knees together or apart.
Chicken Salad Air
The rear hand reaches between the legs and grabs the heel edge between the bindings while the front leg is boned. Also, the wrist is rotated inward to complete the grab.
Corkscrew
A term used to describe a sideways rotation, either free riding or in the halfpipe.
Crail Air
The rear hand grabs the toe edge in front of the front foot while the rear leg is boned.
Crippler Air
An inverted aerial where the snowboarder performs a 180-degree flip. In other words, the athlete approaches a halfpipe wall riding forward, becomes airborne, rotates 90 degrees, flips over in the air, rotates another 90 degrees, and lands riding forward.
Crossbone Method Air
A Method Air where the back leg is boned. See "Method Air"
Crooked Cop Air
Free riding version of the mosquito air. See "Mosquito Air"
The process of dulling, slightly, the edges of the snowboard. Most people detune the edges around the nose and tail so they don't catch in the snow.
Double Grab
Basically, doing two separate tricks while in the air. One goes off of a jump, grabs the board one way, then grabs it in another way, then lands.
Double Handed Grab
Simultaneously grabbing the snowboard with both hands while in the air.
Duckfoot
A term used to describe stance angles with toes pointing outward, like a duck.
Effective Edge
The length of metal edge on the snowboard which touches the snow; it is the effective part which is used to make a turn. Therefore, it does not include the edge of the tip and tail.
Eggplant
A one-handed 180-degree backside rotated invert in which the front hand is planted on the lip of the halfpipe wall.
Elgeurial
An invert where the halfpipe wall is approached fakie, the rear hand is planted, a 360 degree backside rotation is made, and the rider lands going forward.
A term for riding backwards. See also Switchstance
Fall Line
The path of least resistance down any given slope.
Flat Bottom
The area in a halfpipe between the two opposing transitional walls.
Flatground
Term used to describe tricks performed on a flat slope without obstacles. (e.g. nose slide, blunt slide, tail wheelie, etc.)
Flex
Term used to describe the stiffness and pattern of how a snowboard flexes. i.e., stiff, medium, soft.
Freeriding
Snowboarding on all types of terrain for fun. i.e., no contests, no halfpipe, no gates, no rules, etc.
Freestyle Snowboarding
The kind of snowboarding which is mostly associated with riding the halfpipe, but which may also be used to describe any type of snowboarding which includes tricks and maneuvers.
Fresh Fish Air
The backside version of the Stale Fish. See Stale Fish
Front Hand
The hand closest to the nose of the snowboard. In other words, the left hand for regular footers and the right hand for goofy footers.
Front Foot
The foot mounted closest to the nose. A regular-footer's left foot and a goofy-footer's right foot.
Frontside
The frontside of the snowboard is the side where the toes rest; and the frontside of the snowboarder is the side to which his/her chest faces.
Frontside Air
A?true Frontside Air is performed on the frontside wall of a halfpipe and the grab is Indy. The Indy grab is with the rear hand between the bindings on the toe edge; in this particular maneuver, the front leg is usually boned. Technically there is no such thing as a "Frontside Indy," but sometimes it helps as a description. Also a frontside air can be any air performed on the frontside wall of the halfpipe.
Frontside Rotation
Rotating counter-clockwise for a regular-footer and rotating clockwise for a goofy-footer (e.g. frontside 360). Note: When riding switch-stance, the exact reverse applies and a regular-footer will rotate clockwise and a goofy-footer will rotate counter-clockwise.
Frontside Turn
A turn where the toe edge faces to the outside of the turn while the snowboard is riding on the heel edge. In other words, a left turn for a regular-footer and a right turn for a goofy-footer.
Frontside Wall
When standing at the top of the halfpipe and looking down towards the bottom, the frontside wall is on the skier's right for regular-footers; and the skier's left for goofy-footers. If you were to ride straight down the center of the halfpipe, you would be facing your frontside wall.
To grab either edge of the snowboard with one or both hands.
Goofy Footed
Riding on a snowboard with the right foot in the forward position. In other words, the right foot is closest to the nose, furthest from the tail, and in between the left foot and the nose.
An invert done in the halfpipe where the rider approaches the frontside wall riding fakie. At the lip the rider flips backwards into the pipe and rotates 720 degrees spinning frontside down the pipe.
Half-Cab
Cannot be performed in the halfpipe. It is the freeriding version of the Caballerial in which one rotates 180 degrees from fakie to forward off of a straight jump. Also see Caballerial and Gay Twist.
Halfpipe
A snow structure built for freestyle snowboarding. It consists of opposing radial transition walls of the same height and size. Snowboarders utilize the halfpipe to catch air and perform tricks by traveling back and forth from wall to wall while moving down the fall line.
Handplant (Backside)
A 180-degree handplant in which both hands, or the rear hand may be planted on the lip of the wall and the rotation is backside.
Handplant (Frontside)
A 180-degree handplant in which the front hand is planted on the lip of the wall and the rotation is frontside.
Handplant (Layback)
A 180-degree handplant in which the rear hand is planted on the lip of the wall and the rotation is frontside.
Hard Boots
Footwear designed for use in carving and racing. Boots are stiff and may use hard plastics to provide maximum support. Similar to alpine ski boots.
Heel Edge
A snowboard has two different edges. The heel edge is the one at which the heels rest.
High Back Bindings
A binding system that includes a highback component that extends perpendicularly from the board, lies flat against ones calf, and provides support for the back of the leg, especially for edging and turning on the heel edge. Invented by snowboarder Jeff Grell.
Ho Ho
A general term given to any two handed handplant.
Hucker
One who throws himself/herself wildly through the air and does not land on his/her feet.
A true "Indy Air" is performed backside with the rear hand grabbing between the bindings on the toe edge while the rear leg is?boned. The term "Indy" may also be used to simply describe the location of the grab.
Invert
A trick where the head is beneath the level of the board and the snowboarder balances on one or two hands.
Inverted Aerial
A maneuver where the snowboarder becomes airborne and upside down at any given moment.
An inverted aerial where the snowboarder performs a 720-degree rotational flip. In other words, the snowboarder approaches the wall riding forward, becomes airborne, rotates 720 degrees in a backside direction while performing a front flip, and lands riding fakie.
An invert where the athlete rotates roughly 540 degrees in a frontside direction while planting one or both hands on the lip of the wall. Invented by Mike Jacoby.
Japan Air
The front hand grabs the toe edge in between the feet and the front knee is pulled to the board.
Jib
Describes a type of riding that most closely resembles street skateboarding. "Jibbers" commonly slide rails, bonk trees, and perform flatground tricks.
Late
A term used to describe incorporating something into a trick just before its' completion and landing. (e.g., A Method to Late 180 would mean doing a method air and at the last possible second rotating 180 degrees and landing fakie).
Leash
A retention device used to attach the snowboard to the front foot so that it doesn't run away.
Lien Air
front hand grabs the heel edge and the body leans out over the nose. Must be done on the frontside wall. Named after skateboarder Neil Blender, (Lien is Neil spelled backwards).
Lip
The top edge portion of the halfpipe wall.
Lip Trick
Any trick performed on or near the lip of the wall of the halfpipe.
An invert where the athlete plants the front hand on the wall, rotates 540 degrees in a backside direction, and lands riding forward.
McTwist
An inverted aerial where the athlete performs a 540-degree rotational flip. In other words, the athlete approaches the halfpipe wall riding forward, becomes airborne, rotates 540 degrees in a backside direction while performing a front flip, and lands riding forward. Named after skateboarder Mike McGill.
Melonchollie Air
The front hand reaches behind the front leg and grabs the heel edge in-between the bindings while the front leg is boned.
Method Air
The front hand grabs the heel edge, both knees are bent, and the board is pulled to level of the head.
Michaelchuck
An invert done in the halfpipe on the backside wall where the rider does a back flip with a 180 degree backside rotation.
Miller Flip
An invert where the halfpipe wall is approached riding forward, the front hand is planted, a 360-degree frontside rotation is made, and the rider lands riding fakie.
Misty Flip
The freeriding version of the McTwist. It is a partially inverted 540-degree front flip that is performed off of a straight jump. Therefore the approach is riding forward and the landing is fakie.
Mosquito Air
A halfpipe trick in which the front hand reaches behind the front leg and grabs the heel edge between the bindings. The front knee is then bent to touch the board tuck knee style.
Mute Air
The front hand grabs the toe edge either between the toes ?r in front of the front foot.
Much like an Ollie only you spring off of your nose instead of your tail. See Ollie.
Nose
The front tip of the snowboard.
Nose Grab Air
The front hand grabs the nose of the snowboard.
Nose Poke Air
Any maneuver where you bone your front leg and "poke" the nose of the snowboard in a direction away from your body, usually while grabbing. (e.g., Indy Nose Poke Air).
Nose Slide
To slide along the ground or an object solely on the nose of the snowboard.
Nuclear Air
The rear hand reaches across the front of the body and grabs the heel edge in front of the front foot.
A kind of method where the grab is near the nose, the board is pulled across the front of the body, and the nose is pointed downward. Named after Shaun Palmer.
Phillips 66
An invert where the athlete approaches the halfpipe wall riding fakie, plants the rear hand on the lip of the wall while doing a "front flip" and lands in the transition riding forward. Named after skateboarder Jeff Phillips.
Plate Binding
A binding system in which hard l boots, similar to those used in downhill skiing, are attached to the board by a flat "plate." Similar to ski bindings. However, most snowboard bindings are non-releasable.
Pop Tart
Airing from fakie to forward in the halfpipe without rotation.
There are two rails on a snowboard; each comprised of a sidewall and an edge.
Rail Slide
To slide the rails of the snowboard onto almost anything, other than a flat slope. Some good rail sliding surfaces include: fallen tree branches/logs, the coping of a halfpipe, a picnic table.
Rear Hand
The trailing hand closest to the tail of the snowboard. In other words, the right hand for regular footers and the left hand for goofy footers.
Rear Foot
The foot mounted closest to the tail. A regular-footers right foot and a goofy-footers left foot.
Regular Footed
Riding on a snowboard with the left foot in the forward position. In other words, the left foot is closest to the nose, furthest from the tail, and in between the right foot and the nose.
Revert
To switch from riding fakie to forward, or from forward to fakie, usually while the snowboard is still touching the ground.
Roast Beef Air
The rear hand reaches between the legs and grabs the heel edge between the bindings while the rear leg is boned.
Rocket Air
The front hand grabs the toe edge in front of the front foot (mute) and the back leg is boned while the board points perpendicular to the ground.
Rolling down the windows
A phrase used to describe when someone is caught off balance and they rotate their arms wildly in the air to try and recover
Rodeo Flip
An invert done riding fakie or forward where the rider rotates frontside, or backside while fliping. Can be done with a 540, 720, 900 and 1080.
An invert done on the fronside wall of a halfpipe where the rider does a front flip with a 180 degree rotation frontside.
Seatbelt Air
The front hand reaches across the body and grabs the tail while the front leg is boned.
Shifty Air
A grabless trick where the upper torso and lower body are twisted in opposite directions and then returned to normal. Usually the front leg is boned.
Sick (Slang)
An expression used to describe something really exceptional, clothing, a trick, a run, etc.
Sidecut Radius
The measure (usually in cm) of the circle radius to which the sidecut of a snowboard corresponds. A small circle or sidecut (under 900cm) will make tighter turns than a large sidecut (over 900cm).
Sintered Base
High molecular-weight base formed by the heating and compression of small fragments of P-tex. Sintered bases absorb and hold wax better and are more durable than extruded bases. i.e. they are faster.
Sketching
The act of riding along precariously and nearly falling.
Slob Air
The front hand grabs mute, the back leg is boned, and the board is kept parallel with the ground.
Soft Boots
Footwear designed for use in freestyle and freeride snowboarding. Boots are soft and pliable and allow a large range of motion while maintaining sufficient support.
Stalefish Air
The rear hand grabs the heel edge behind the rear leg and in between the bindings while the rear leg is boned.
Stance
The position of one's feet on the snowboard. Includes: stance types, such as regular or goofy, and also stance specifications, such as widths and angles.
Step-in Binding
Binding system in which no major manual adjustment is needed in order to attach and detach the boot from the binding. You simply "step in" and then pull a lever or a latch to "step out". It has been developed for hard as well as soft boot binding configurations.
Stiffy Air
Any maneuver in which both legs are boned and a grab is incorporated. (e.g. Mute Stiffy).
Switchstance (Switch)
The term for performing a trick while riding backwards. It is important to note that it's a specific term given to a maneuver that is performed exactly like riding forwards. The only difference is the rider is going backwards as if he/she were a goofy-footer instead of a regular-footer, or vice-versa, hence the term "switched stance". Thus, any trick may be performed switchstance. Also, see Fakie
Any maneuver where you bone your rear leg and "poke" the tail of the snowboard in a direction away from your body, usually while grabbing.
Tail Slide
To slide along the ground or an object solely on the tail of the snowboard.
Tail Wheelie
To ride solely on the tail of the snowboard with the nose in the air.
Taipan Air
The front hand reaches behind the front foot and grabs the toe edge between the bindings. The front knee is then bent to touch the board tuck knee style.
Toe Edge
A snowboard has two different edges. The toe edge is the one at which the toes rest.
Transition (Tranny)
The radial curved section of a halfpipe wall between the flat bottom and the vertical. A snowboarder pumps and rides the transition to gain speed, to catch air, and to land.
Traverse
To ride perpendicular to the fall line. A halfpipe rider traverses from wall to wall in the h?lfpipe.
Tuck knee
A technique where one knee is bent and the ankle bent sideways in order to touch the knee to the snowboard between the bindings. (e.g. Tuck Knee Indy Air).
Twin Tip
A type of snowboard designed for freestyle snowboarding. It has an identical tip and a tail so that the board may be ridden similarly in both directions.
The vertical top portion of a wall in a halfpipe that allows the snowboarder to fly straight up into the air; and not out of the pipe or into the pipe.
Wall
The wall of a halfpipe is comprised of a transition and a vertical section.
To slide with the board parallel to the coping. Also see Grind.
180 Air
The snowboarder rotates 180 degrees in the air and lands riding fakie. In the halfpipe, the rider approaches the wall riding forward, rotates 180 degrees, and lands riding forward.
360 Air
The snowboarder rotates 360 degrees in the air and lands riding forward. In the halfpipe, the rider approaches the wall riding forward, rotates 360 degrees, and lands riding fakie. This trick may also be performed by riding fakie and landing riding forwards; in which case it is called a Caballerial. See Caballerial
540 Air
The snowboarder rotates 540 degrees in the air and lands riding fakie. In the halfpipe, the rider approaches the wall riding forward, rotates 540 degrees, and lands riding forward.
720 Air
The snowboarder rotates 720 degrees in the air and lands riding forward. In the halfpipe, the rider approaches the wall riding forward, rotates 720 degrees, and lands riding fakie. Of course, it may also be performed switchstance by riding fakie and landing riding forward.
900 Air
The snowboarder rotates 900 degrees in the air and lands riding fakie. In the halfpipe, the rider approaches the wall riding forward, rotates 900 degrees.