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Switching from racing to freestyle

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Superduploman
Posts: 227 - Karma: 505
I quit racing when i was 15 after 10 years of racing. I bought freestyle skis shortly after but didn't really use them a lot, now i'm beginning to use them more and i'm not really familiar with freeskiing. I notice a lot that i still use the same racing techniques, and i think that its holding me back a little bit..
I can do some basic tricks like 1 and 3's and basic grabs, but not much more than that, and my spins are pretty sketchy

Does anyone have any useful advice for me?
Dec 22 2013 8:02PM
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oil.
Posts: 2255 - Karma: 1,254
First for bishop
Dec 22 2013 8:07PM
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Bogs
Posts: 4296 - Karma: 1,361
in what way would using racing techniques be holding you back? aren't racing techniques just good skiing techniques?

like anything else, the only thing you can really do to get better is practice
Dec 22 2013 8:08PM
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TACO-DOG.exe
Posts: 11988 - Karma: 12,261
just go as often as you can and try new shit everyday. or at least set some goals for yourself.
Dec 22 2013 8:20PM
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Superduploman
Posts: 227 - Karma: 505
Airtimes are hard times for me. when racing you're told to get as little airtime as possible, basicly do a safety grab and try to get as low as you can, so i basicly have no idea what to do when it comes to airs
Dec 22 2013 8:23PM
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Forcillo
Posts: 3801 - Karma: 3,580
Well don't do that. Just stay forward in your boots and POP off the lip. if you go for a grab bring the ski UP TO YOUR HAND rather than you going down to grab it. Just try to keep your balance as well as you can, and don't even go for spins until you can straight air most jumps comfortably.
Dec 22 2013 8:26PM
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Superduploman
Posts: 227 - Karma: 505
Thanks! i'd +k but i dont see it on the mobile website haha
Dec 22 2013 8:29PM
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.MASSHOLE.
Posts: 7481 - Karma: 11,497
Popping is your friend. Honestly, racing shouldnt hold you back for the most part.
Dec 22 2013 8:31PM
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Slush
Posts: 1914 - Karma: 12,942
When pop-ing, stay centered on jumps. Not too far lean'd back, and not to far forward. Pop center

Best tip I got for you
Dec 22 2013 9:29PM
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iH8pow
Posts: 1808 - Karma: 7,694
dude, you're an ex-racer. you're better than you give yourself credit for. Just commit and I bet you can stomp just about anything you put your mind to.
and then call out each and everyone on hoodcrew cause you're way sicker than they are
Dec 23 2013 12:26AM
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Bogs
Posts: 4296 - Karma: 1,361
True, but if you hit a kicker isn't it kind of impossible to absorb it? Just go fast over the jump and you should be alright.

If you're trying to say you're not comfortable in the air, again, it's just practice and hitting jumps until you do feel comfortable in the air. There aren't really any tricks or tips you can be given to make getting used to it easier
Dec 23 2013 1:51AM
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Tikayt
Posts: 1031 - Karma: 1,543
If you have a solid background in skiing, then you should earn yourself some style pretty fast in your freeskiing.
As said above, giving this small impulse before take off is essential! Don't let the curve and the shape of the jump take you off, pop in order to counter balance the shape of the jump.
You them those who don't pop, they go straight on their back !

A general rule in freestyle to achieve things, especially on rails, is speed. Little hard to accept at start but you'll notice that when you have the right speed, you stomp easier.
Dec 23 2013 4:05AM
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Tikayt
Posts: 1031 - Karma: 1,543
If you have a solid background in skiing, then you should earn yourself some style pretty fast in your freeskiing.
As said above, giving this small impulse before take off is essential! Don't let the curve and the shape of the jump take you off, pop in order to counter balance the shape of the jump.
You them those who don't pop, they go straight on their back !

A general rule in freestyle to achieve things, especially on rails, is speed. Little hard to accept at start but you'll notice that when you have the right speed, you stomp easier.
Dec 23 2013 4:05AM
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HalKK
Posts: 223 - Karma: 367
Some of my friends came from a racing background and it's the best thing to do before freestyle skiing. Just for the simple reason that you can ski to a high standard before you even enter the park. Your stance and balance will be on point so just wade in balls deep and you will be fine.

Just remember, edges are your enemy. It's going to go against everything you have learnt in the last 10 years but keep your skis flat!!
Dec 23 2013 7:02AM
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J..H
Posts: 646 - Karma: 73
Yeah I raced competitively through high school and now I am switching over to freeskiing and freestyle. I have always been skiing in the park though in my free time so I have developed some park skills along the way so what I can say is racing is a great base to have. Confidence and commitment goes a long way in freestyle. Hit lots of jumps and lots of rails and just get comfortable on them and then start racking tricks!
Dec 23 2013 8:58AM
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hkn
Posts: 221 - Karma: 2,938
If you've spent all those years racing, it probably means that your sense of balance/speed is pure gold + that you are comfortable on snow, no matter the conditions. Forecast: The racing reflexes embedded in your muscle memory will fade and you will enjoy going off any kicker much faster than you can imagine.

If in doubt, check out the history of Jon Olsson. Before he bagged all those X Games medals, he won the Swedish National Championship in giant slalom. And Seth Morrison started out as a ski racer. And JP Auclair. And Shane.

My 2 cents.
Dec 25 2013 8:22PM
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