KICKER JUMPS
A kicker is a jump that increases slope near the top and
tends to give the rider a lot of height without a lot of speed. To perform a straight jump
without rotation, approach the kicker in a natural stance as shown in Photo 1. As you
ride up the slope, you will be kicked into the air as shown in Photo 2. Stay in relative vertical
balance since sitting back or leaning forward may result in an inverted maneuver. As you leave the jump,
suck up the feet (flex the knees). Use the kicker to get into the air and do not try to throw the body into the air
as this will tend to ruin your positioning and cause a fall.
________Photo 1_____________Photo 2_____________Photo 3_______
While in the air (hang time), you can perform a grab such as the 'Indie' shown here in Photo 4.
Extend the feet for landing (Photo 5) and absorb the landing with knee, ankle and hip flexion as shown
in Photo 6.
________Photo 4____________Photo 5____________Photo 6______
Photos 7 through 9 show show another kicker jump with an additional feature - rotation. Approach the
kicker in a natural stance (Photo 7). As you approach the lip, rotate the upper body in the desired direction, in this
case counter clockwise looking down (Photo 8). As the rider becomes airborne, his arms are pulled
inward to increase the rotation (Photo 9).
________Photo 7_____________Photo 8_____________Photo 9_______
Photo 10 shows the rider 180 degrees into the rotation. Spot the landing and extend the arms outward to
slow the rotation (Photo 11). Absorb the landing after completing a 360 degree rotation (Photo 12).
________Photo 10____________Photo 11_____________Photo 12_____
Video snowboard straight air rocket grab with normal speed and slow motion
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