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Rail Tips

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WeathermanPetro
Posts: 239 - Karma: 228
What is your #1 tip for someone wanting to do rails for the first time?
Oct 23 2012 8:10PM
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.bo.
Posts: 448 - Karma: 133
film it, so if you eat shit i can watch
Oct 23 2012 8:11PM
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WeathermanPetro
Posts: 239 - Karma: 228
Haha, great idea. Anyone really though have any tips?
Oct 23 2012 8:15PM
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BrewskiJr
Posts: 5738 - Karma: 1,478
pop before the rail, turn, look at the end of the rail (not your skis), pop off, afterbang
Oct 23 2012 8:16PM
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Kjell
Posts: 434 - Karma: 100
Don't hesitate, don't lean back, go faster than you think.  If you do this and balance the way you would on a box you'll be fine.  I spent 3 years in fear of rails only to try one last year and not have the slightest of difficulties with it.  Remember, the faster you go the sooner it'll be over.  And don't worry about the skis hooking up on the rail unless it's got huge nails sticking out they won't.

Basically, grow a pair and huck it.  Worked for me..
Oct 23 2012 8:17PM
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WeathermanPetro
Posts: 239 - Karma: 228
Thanks bro. Can't wait to get court this year and try. Just need all this rain to turn to snow,
Oct 23 2012 8:20PM
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M.M
Posts: 1696 - Karma: 4,494
have a bit more weight on your front foot, first time i hit a rail my skis slipped out from under me.
Oct 23 2012 8:25PM
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WeathermanPetro
Posts: 239 - Karma: 228
Thanks. Good to know
Oct 23 2012 8:27PM
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joshua
Posts: 5046 - Karma: 1,280
1. Commit, drop in thinking you are going to slide the whole rail. This is the most important thing.

2. With 1. in mind, come in with more speed than you think. On most rails, speed is your friend. One of the most common mistakes people make when they first start hitting rails is not coming in with enough speed.

3. As you are coming off the lip, POP! Jump, and turn 90. This may seem obvious, but lots of people can't seem to get this part at first, and will try turning on the lip, or on the rail or something like that.

4. Land on the rail somewhat smoothly if you can. You don't want to stomp onto the rail when you are learning, because you can catch edges that way. Absorb the impact with your legs somewhat.

5. Don't lean forward, don't lean back. Stay balanced. Imagine you are running and jumping onto a skateboard, trying to keep your balance. That is what it feels like to slide a rail.

6. Once you are on, look at the end of the rail. This helps with getting to the end.

As you get better, you will learn to use your edges to help balance yourself and to grip the rail for spins out, swaps, or whatever. Don't get too frustrated, rails are tough at first, and you might have some epic bails, but you'll get it.
Oct 23 2012 8:34PM
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WeathermanPetro
Posts: 239 - Karma: 228
Wow great post thanks
Oct 23 2012 8:58PM
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joshua
Posts: 5046 - Karma: 1,280
Advice can only go so far with rails though, you just have to try it for yourself, fall a bunch of times, and practice lots, and you will get it.
Oct 23 2012 9:01PM
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Shabangarang
Posts: 949 - Karma: 156
exactly you basically learn on your own getting balance etc you are gonna fall quite a bit (just part of the rail game) so except it hahaha but you will eventually get it an practice makes perfect. start wit something small front entry. Side entry you will slip right on to your ass.
Oct 23 2012 9:04PM
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WeathermanPetro
Posts: 239 - Karma: 228
Thanks Everyone! Much Love
Oct 23 2012 9:05PM
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Pikachu.
Posts: 1290 - Karma: 1,641
when you are trying to learn try both feet forward to see which you are more comftorable with, but try to learn both, it helps a lot.
Oct 23 2012 9:11PM
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SKIU4EA
Posts: 2387 - Karma: 2,072
Commit to landing sideways on the rail. If you half-ass it, you'll have problems. Remember, it's like running and then jumping onto a skateboard.
Oct 23 2012 9:13PM
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WeathermanPetro
Posts: 239 - Karma: 228
Yeah I'm seeing where you are coming from.
Oct 23 2012 9:50PM
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Shabangarang
Posts: 949 - Karma: 156
Thats a damn good analogy.
Oct 23 2012 9:55PM
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coolflash8
Posts: 3171 - Karma: 2,048
i went from not being able to slide a box to 4s and swaps and 2s on in one season, just commit and be confident
Oct 23 2012 10:03PM
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tdollo
Posts: 3795 - Karma: 18,751
1. hit rail
Oct 23 2012 10:04PM
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tdollo
Posts: 3795 - Karma: 18,751
Fick mobil, anyways ----- 1. Hit rail. 2. ???? 3. ??? 4 profit
Oct 23 2012 10:05PM
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BWalmer
Posts: 9141 - Karma: 12,885
All of this, also, when you're on the rail look at the end of the rail (it does help to point right at the very end), this will help you stay balanced and focused on where you're going. The more you do it, the more you'll get used to being on them. And, obviously, start with something small and mellow, a simple, short flat bar will be your best friend.
Oct 23 2012 10:22PM
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Plankton
Posts: 3226 - Karma: 6,840
bump i have never done one either i wanna know
Oct 23 2012 10:29PM
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Darth.Maul
Posts: 2472 - Karma: 652
Pop and then turn. So many people try to turn off of the lip and just end up sliding off half way through the rail. You want to come straight on and pop and turn a 90. As soon as you're on just watch the end of the rail not your skis and it should come really easy if you REALLY commit to them.
Oct 23 2012 11:05PM
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penguin_steeze
Posts: 2311 - Karma: 241
afterbang. Thats all you need to know
Oct 23 2012 11:11PM
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fennjack
Posts: 286 - Karma: 131
You have to commit dont just slide on and off quickly, come straight at the rail pop do a full 90, land woth your feet directly on top of the rail, and keep your eyes locked on the end of the rail.
Oct 23 2012 11:24PM
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dirtybackside
Posts: 393 - Karma: 163
dont go into it scared. Confidence is key
Practice practice practice
Oct 24 2012 12:02AM
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TheButterHashira
Posts: 9691 - Karma: 1,702
Sag your pants and allow your junk to swing freely, this will help you maintain balance over the rail. When in doubt 270 out.
Oct 24 2012 12:35AM
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esotericjive
Posts: 1889 - Karma: 1,445
this this this. I read a similar thread to this before I ever hit a rail. The next weekend, I spent 3 hrs hiking a flat bar. after ~ 10 tries I could slide the whole thing consistently. Just stick with it, and remember to pop BEFORE the rail. When you're on it, try to stay low with knees a little bent to absorb shock, almost "gorilla steeze" like, it'll help a lot. then just spin 90 out and afterbang
Oct 24 2012 12:37AM
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.ALOC.
Posts: 202 - Karma: 19
The biggest thing is to keep your eyes at the end of the rail and be sure to pop
Oct 24 2012 1:04AM
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WeathermanPetro
Posts: 239 - Karma: 228
Haha classic
Oct 24 2012 8:40AM
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