Goofy Vs Regular – How to Quickly Find Your Board Stance

You’re standing on your skateboard, the pavement bathed in golden sunlight. Excitement courses through you, but there’s a nagging question: goofy skateboard stance or regular? Finding your perfect board stance can be as elusive as catching the wind, leaving even seasoned skaters pondering.

Ever wondered why some riders effortlessly glide in a goofy stance, while others prefer the regular rhythm? It’s not just chance—it’s about unlocking your innate balance. In the world of skating, understanding the nuances of goofy vs regular skateboard styles is key. In this deep dive, we demystify the art, offering insights that will elevate your skate game. Embrace the challenge; let’s carve out the path to discovering your ideal ride.

What’s the Difference Between Goofy and Regular?

Before we dive into finding your perfect stance, let’s clarify what Goofy and Regular actually mean in snowboarding. Another important factor to consider when choosing a snowboard is the wheels. Just like in skateboards, snowboards also have wheels that help you glide through the snow smoothly. Soft skateboard wheels are a popular choice among snowboarders as they provide better grip and control on the snow.

1. Regular Stance: In a Regular stance, your left foot is positioned at the front of the snowboard, while your right foot is at the back. This is the most common stance for right-handed individuals and is sometimes referred to as “left foot forward.”
2. Goofy Stance: On the flip side, a Goofy stance means your right foot is in the front, and your left foot is at the back of the snowboard. Goofy riders are often left-handed or simply feel more comfortable with their right foot leading.

Now, let’s get down to business and figure out which stance suits you best!

Chart of The Differences Between Goofy & Regular Stances

The push test and slide test are not foolproof, but they can give you a good indication of which stance is more natural for you. If you are unsure, it is best to try both stances and see which one feels more comfortable.

Feature	Goofy	Regular
Dominant foot	Right	Left
Front foot	Right	Left
Back foot	Left	Right
Stance description	Ride with the right foot in front and the left foot in back	Ride with the left foot in front and the right foot in back
Push test	When pushed from behind, the right foot goes forward	When pushed from behind, the left foot goes forward
Slide test	When sliding on a smooth surface, the right foot goes forward	When sliding on a smooth surface, the left foot goes forward
Examples of famous goofy riders	Tony Hawk, Layne Beachley, Mick Fanning	Rodney Mullen, Kelly Slater, Stephanie Gilmore
Percentage of riders	25%	75%

How to Quickly Determine Your Snowboard Stance

Finding your snowboard stance isn’t rocket science, and it doesn’t require a lot of gear or an expert’s opinion. You can easily determine your preference with a few simple tests and some introspection.

The Slip ‘n’ Slide Method

1. Find a slippery surface, like a kitchen floor or a tiled area, where you can wear socks and slide around a bit.
2. Stand up straight with your feet together. Relax your body and don’t overthink it.
3. Without thinking about it too much, pretend you’re about to slide or surf. Take a small step forward, and then slide forward like you’re going for a ride. Pay attention to which foot you naturally put forward.
   • If your left foot instinctively moves forward, you’re likely Regular.
   • If your right foot leads the way, then you’re probably Goofy.

The Leg-Up Method

1. Stand still with your feet shoulder-width apart, as if you were about to ride your snowboard.
2. Now, imagine someone is about to throw you a ball, and you need to kick it with one foot. Lift one leg like you’re going to kick the ball.
   • If you raised your left leg, you’re leaning toward Regular.
   • If your right leg went up, you might be leaning toward Goofy.

The Trusty Push Method

1. Enlist the help of a friend or family member for this one.
2. Have your helper stand behind you and give you a gentle but unexpected push from behind.
3. The foot you use to catch yourself and regain balance will indicate your natural snowboard stance.
   • If your left foot shoots forward to catch you, Regular could be your style.
   • If your right foot moves first, you might be leaning towards Goofy.

The Skateboard or Scooter Test

If you have experience with skateboarding or riding a scooter, you can use this knowledge to your advantage. Think about which foot you prefer to have in front when riding these other wheeled devices:

• Left foot forward: You’re probably Regular.
• Right foot forward: You’re likely Goofy.

Remember, these tests are not set in stone, and there’s no “right” or “wrong” answer. Your comfort and balance matter the most when it comes to snowboarding.

How To Know If You Have A Regular Or Goofy Stance?

There are a few ways to tell if you have a regular or goofy stance.

• Try snowboarding or skateboarding. If you have a natural stance, it will feel more comfortable and natural to you than the other stance.
• Walk up a flight of stairs. The foot that you lead with is usually your dominant foot. This is the foot that you will most likely want to put in the back when snowboarding or skateboarding.
• Stand with your feet close together and have someone push you from behind. The foot that you step forward with to catch yourself is usually your dominant foot.
• Ask a friend to help you. Stand with your feet close together and have your friend push you lightly between the shoulder blades. The foot that you step forward with to catch yourself is usually your dominant foot.

If you are still unsure of your stance, you can try both regular and goofy stance and see which one feels more comfortable to you. There is no right or wrong stance, so ultimately it comes down to personal preference.

Here is a table that summarizes the different ways to tell if you have a regular or goofy stance:

Method	Regular stance	Goofy stance
Snowboarding/skateboarding	Front foot is left	Front foot is right
Walk up stairs	Lead foot is left	Lead foot is right
Push test	Step forward with left foot	Step forward with right foot
Friend push test	Step forward with left foot	Step forward with right foot

Why Does Your Stance Matter?

Now that you’ve determined whether you’re Goofy or Regular, you might be wondering, “Why does it even matter?” Well, your snowboard stance has a significant impact on your riding style and overall experience on the mountain. Let’s break it down.

Balance and Control

Your stance affects how you distribute your weight on the snowboard. If your dominant foot is in the front, you’ll have better control over your turns and balance in that direction. This can make it easier to initiate turns and handle various terrains.

Riding Style

Different stances lend themselves to different riding styles. Regular riders often find it more natural to ride with their left foot forward, making it easier to perform tricks or ride with a directional snowboard. Goofy riders, on the other hand, may feel more comfortable on a twin-tip board or when riding switch (with the opposite foot forward).

Comfort and Confidence

Ultimately, the goal is to feel comfortable and confident on your snowboard. Riding in your natural stance will help you build the confidence you need to tackle more challenging runs and progress in your snowboarding journey.

The Art of Switch Riding

Whether you’re Goofy or Regular, there will come a time when you want to expand your snowboarding skills by riding switch. Riding switch means using your non-dominant foot as the lead foot. It may feel awkward at first, but it’s an essential skill for becoming a well-rounded snowboarder.

Here are some tips to help you master switch riding:

1. Practice Makes Perfect: Spend time on easy slopes riding switch to get comfortable with the new stance. Gradually increase the difficulty as you become more confident.
2. Body Position: Pay attention to your body position. Keep your weight centered over your board, and avoid leaning too far forward or backward.
3. Use Your Dominant Foot as a Guide: When learning to ride switch, think about your dominant foot’s position and mimic it with your non-dominant foot. It can help with balance and muscle memory.
4. Take it Slow: Don’t rush the learning process. Switch riding takes time to master, so be patient with yourself.

Stance Set-Up: Bindings and Angles

Now that you know your preferred stance, it’s time to set up your bindings and angles accordingly. Your binding angles determine how your feet are positioned on the snowboard. Here are some common binding setups:

1. Duck Stance: In a duck stance, both bindings are angled outward, away from the center of the board. This is a versatile stance that works well for freestyle riding and switch riding.
2. Forward Stance: A forward stance means both bindings are pointed straight ahead, perpendicular to the board. This is a stable stance often used by alpine or carving enthusiasts.
3. Goofy or Regular Stance: If you’re Goofy, your front binding should be angled to the right (towards the board’s edge). For Regular riders, angle it to the left (towards the board’s edge). Your back binding should be angled less or set at 0 degrees.

Keep in mind that binding angles are a matter of personal preference. Experiment with different setups to find what feels most comfortable and allows you to perform your best on the slopes.

Goofy VS Mongo VS Regular Stances

Skateboarding is all about personal preferences, and these stances and pushing techniques play a significant role in how a skateboarder rides.

1. Regular Stance:
   • Definition: A regular stance is when a skateboarder’s left foot is positioned at the front of the skateboard, and their right foot is at the back.
   • Percentage: Approximately 70-75% of skateboarders ride in the regular stance.
   • Benefits: It’s the most common stance, which makes it easier to find suitable skateboards and equipment. It’s also advantageous for tricks like kickflips and heelflips.
2. Goofy Stance:
   • Definition: A goofy stance is the opposite of regular. In this stance, the skateboarder’s right foot is at the front, and the left foot is at the back.
   • Percentage: Around 25-30% of skateboarders prefer the goofy stance.
   • Benefits: Goofy riders often have an advantage with tricks that require more control with the front foot, such as the varial kickflip.
3. Mongo Push:
   • Definition: Pushing with your front foot while your back foot is on the skateboard. This is considered less common and not recommended.
   • Percentage: Very few skateboarders push mongo, estimated at less than 5%.
   • Drawbacks: Pushing mongo can be less stable and can hinder the skateboarder’s ability to quickly set up for tricks or adjust their balance.

Here’s a simple chart for visual representation:

Stance/Push	Front Foot Position	Percentage	Advantages	Drawbacks
Regular Stance	Left	70-75%	Common, suitable for various tricks	None
Goofy Stance	Right	25-30%	Unique style, advantageous for some tricks	Suitable equipment may be less available
Mongo Push	Front foot	<5%	Rare, can be comfortable for a few individuals	Less stability, less versatility in skating

Ultimately, the choice between regular and goofy stances, as well as whether to push mongo or not, is a matter of personal preference. Skateboarders should experiment to find the stance and pushing style that feels most comfortable and effective for them.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can my snowboard instructor help me determine my stance?

• Absolutely! Snowboard instructors are experienced and can provide guidance on finding your stance. They may use some of the tests mentioned here to assess your preference.

2. Can I change my stance after I’ve been riding for a while?

• Yes, you can change your stance if you feel it’s necessary. However, it may take some time to adjust to the new stance, so be prepared for a learning curve.

3. I’m ambidextrous; does that affect my snowboard stance?

• Being ambidextrous can make it easier to adapt to either stance. You can choose the one that feels more natural or even switch between them depending on your mood and riding style.

4. What if I’m still unsure about my stance after trying the tests?

• If you’re still unsure, don’t stress about it too much. You can try both stances on the mountain and see which one feels more comfortable during your initial lessons.

5. Are there any famous snowboarders who ride Goofy or Regular?

• Absolutely! Famous snowboarders like Shaun White and Travis Rice ride Regular, while Terje Haakonsen and Hannah Teter prefer the Goofy stance. It just goes to show that both stances can lead to incredible success on the slopes.

Conclusion

When it comes to the eternal debate of goofy skateboard stance versus regular, the key lies in self-discovery and comfort. Embrace the quirkiness of your unique style and experiment with both stances. As we’ve seen, skating goofy can offer advantages in balance and control, while the conventional goofy stance skateboard can feel more intuitive for some.

The critical factor is to invest time in honing your skills with each stance. Ultimately, the choice between goofy vs regular skateboard is a personal journey. So, grab your board, hit the pavement, and let your riding style dictate the path you choose. Happy goofy skate adventures!