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November, 2024

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Help with rotation on rails

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zyzzbrah
Posts: 113 - Karma: 336
I'm pretty new to rails. I want to know what I'm doing wrong or how I can change direction on a rail. Eg once on the rail I'm facing to the left side of the rail, how do I do a 90 degree turn iin the opposite direction.

I can continue turning in the same direction I started in (Momentum), but cant manage to force myself in the opposite direction.

Help appreciated.
Nov 4 2013 7:25PM
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@nonymous
Posts: 521 - Karma: 1,365
With your front foot, kick down your heel so your edge is in full contact with the coping/rail. Then make sure you look over your shoulder and spin instead of shuffling it around
Nov 4 2013 7:30PM
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zyzzbrah
Posts: 113 - Karma: 336
Cool thanks. So rotate backwards? Is this a rule of thumb sort of thing or is it just whatever is easier. It just feels as though I have no grip to force my body in the other way. But what you said makes sense.
Nov 4 2013 7:33PM
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Ray.
Posts: 426 - Karma: 443
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Nov 4 2013 7:35PM
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werd.
Posts: 967 - Karma: 4,330
If you rotate "backwards" that's backside. Other way is frontside. I'd probably try frontside 180s first because you can see the end of the rail the whole time. With your leading foot while on the rail dig your heel downwards into the rail while jumping and spinning "frontside"
Nov 4 2013 7:36PM
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zyzzbrah
Posts: 113 - Karma: 336
ok. All makes sense, but I'm not understanding digging the heel in. But I guess I will understand when I try it on a rail and not on NS forum lol
Nov 4 2013 7:39PM
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BrennenM
Posts: 129 - Karma: 1,012
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Nov 4 2013 7:45PM
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BrennenM
Posts: 129 - Karma: 1,012
if you're talking about spinning off a rail rather than trying to 50 50 a rail then i have a trick that helps me. i dunno if its actually the correct way to do it, but as i slide along a rail i widen my stance, as i approach the end i pull my feet together as hard as i can and wrap and i can usually spin off pretty well
Nov 4 2013 7:47PM
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patt.
Posts: 598 - Karma: 1,272
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Nov 4 2013 7:49PM
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wasatch_rat
Posts: 1772 - Karma: 2,952
you scissor your skis on the rail for the direction that you want to spin. this allows your feet to manipulate the way your body wants to spin off the rail. spinning down the hill (frontside) you put your front heel down front toe up, if you spin up the hill (blind or backside) you point your front toes down front heels up.

frontside
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backside (or blind)
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but for a 90 rotation either way off of a rail, you really just need to be balanced and square on the rail and just slightly turn your shoulders. make sure your shoulders are square over your knees as your sliding, then just turn slightly at the end.
Nov 4 2013 7:52PM
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ridetomorrownow
Posts: 75 - Karma: 160
i struggled with this too when i first started. the key is to stay low, cuz normally you would pop onto the rail then be standing straight up and ride it out....you gotta focus on keeping bent while sliding, that will give you the power to pop. then to go back the opposite way drop your back heel, that will stop your momentum from going the other way, use that heel as well as your upper body and hips to turn what ever way you want while you are still bending and pop as much as you can and watch your feet spotting the rail so its comes back right under your feet. goodluck!
Nov 4 2013 8:09PM
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zyzzbrah
Posts: 113 - Karma: 336
thanks for the solid replies!
Nov 5 2013 12:30AM
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BROSEIDON
Posts: 3702 - Karma: 1,495
Grip&rip
Nov 5 2013 9:50AM
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