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Tips on taking off/landing switch?

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njinrome
Posts: 54 - Karma: 10

While there's obviously no parks open in the east yet, I want to try to prep myself for this winter. In the past,  I've been working on taking off and landing switch, and I can't seem to get it right.

Every time I take off, I lose too much speed, and therefore can't pull the tricks I want.

When I land switch, I can't seem to center my weight, and I wind up eatin it or falling back. 

Any tips?

Oct 16 2007 2:30PM
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___ASP___
Posts: 3857 - Karma: 459
probably has something to do with the "loft" of your skis
Oct 16 2007 2:33PM
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njinrome
Posts: 54 - Karma: 10
ar6?
Oct 16 2007 2:42PM
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Fish_Sandwich.
Posts: 9108 - Karma: 16
I can't take off switch but I can land switch really easily.
Oct 16 2007 3:12PM
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K-Thomas
Posts: 2700 - Karma: 604
landing switch: be balanced.
taking off switch: look for it over your shoulder, then make sure you wait long enough to set your spin.
Oct 16 2007 3:19PM
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skiP.E.I.
Posts: 7604 - Karma: 20,090
when taking off switch, it might help if you carve off the jump, like dig your forward ski into the lip kind of. this will throw you into a rotation and give you better balance in the air. I don't know what to tell you about landing, because it seems pretty natural for me, but just practice skiing backwards a whole lot and you may find you get better at landing that way.
Oct 16 2007 3:27PM
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fresshhhh
Posts: 792 - Karma: 9
it sounds like you arent that comforatable riding switch, because the main reason people lose speed when taking off switch is that they reverse snowplow because they feel they are cruising, just keep em straight thats all i have to say
Oct 16 2007 3:31PM
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Rbamf
Posts: 792 - Karma: 15
practice
Oct 16 2007 3:36PM
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Ceru
Posts: 1879 - Karma: 101
landing switch and taking off switch are both totally different.  landing switch, so me, actually seems easier than landing regular, if that makes sense. landing switch just make sure your centered in the air and that you can land on both your skis like as balanced at you were before you were in the air.  im bad at going off switch so cant help you there
Oct 16 2007 3:38PM
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njinrome
Posts: 54 - Karma: 10
thanks for the help...now if we could only get some snow
Oct 16 2007 3:52PM
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Edward.
Posts: 9366 - Karma: 445
i kind of have the same problem as you. it always kinda felt awkward for me taking off switch. but a couple days ago i put on my skis and got into my normal switch stance and saw that my left toe wasnt aligned with my right heel. i fixed it and it felt more comfortable
Oct 16 2007 4:06PM
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colin13
Posts: 2201 - Karma: 216
the best way to prcatice landing switch is to just do 180s on flat ground or rollers and work up your speed. for taking off switch you just have to practice skiing switch as well as carving.
Oct 16 2007 4:15PM
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eheath
Posts: 61100 - Karma: 118,255
Just practice riding switch ALOT for taking off switch, and remember to keep your skis straight when you're maching into a jump and remember to pop too.

As for landing switch, its all about commitment. You'll prob have to drag your hands at first but you'll get it.
Oct 16 2007 4:22PM
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fitz
Posts: 455 - Karma: 54

TAKING OFF:
be patient, wait til your all the way at the end of the lip. and pop hard, to make sure you get your tips clear and over the lip.
LANDING:
when you land switch, try and look back up the hill at the jump, after you've spotted your landing, it will help keep you centered

Oct 16 2007 4:47PM
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Holte
Posts: 10730 - Karma: 7,744
can you land 180s, or are you only having trouble landing sw with higher rotations?
Oct 16 2007 5:07PM
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njinrome
Posts: 54 - Karma: 10
Let me clarify.  I can land 180's and 360's and I can land/take off switch, however my switch landings seem to jolt me upslope (upper body goes past paralell with slope).  Myabe it's b/c I'm not bending my knees enough at the landing...
Oct 16 2007 5:34PM
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kzittle
Posts: 296 - Karma: 140
i'm so glad to see people actually giving advice and helping now instead of just saying "i would take off switch and land switch in the searchbar you n00b"

it makes me happy

the only thing i would add is make sure when you take off you aren't leaning forward or backwards, cause this will throw your balance off at the landing.
Oct 16 2007 6:24PM
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SkierX
Posts: 16253 - Karma: 538
Committment is the key.

Looking uphill when you're coming around too will help put you back and center your weight.
Oct 16 2007 6:43PM
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Elijah.
Posts: 9322 - Karma: 76
Taking off switch is all about the pop. You have to pop otherwise otherwise your tips will catch and slow you down.
Oct 16 2007 7:06PM
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ericman
Posts: 405 - Karma: 155
i some times find it hard to land switch i eat it a lot on 5s
Oct 16 2007 7:11PM
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garrett.
Posts: 9304 - Karma: 3,670
and you will die
Oct 16 2007 7:21PM
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ryano
Posts: 4465 - Karma: 1,535
landing switch...just keep looking. keep your balance, always look at your landing. taking off switch...havent done much of it, but i've been watching the guys in videos do it. you have to kind of carve off it a bit. like one of the guys above me said.
Oct 16 2007 7:27PM
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mizzike
Posts: 1386 - Karma: 251
When taking of switch try leaning forward. That helps me wait untill the end of the lip before i pop and keeps me out of the reverse snow plow. Also just practice riding switch even though you look like a show-off tool it really does help a lot. 
Oct 16 2007 7:37PM
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njinrome
Posts: 54 - Karma: 10
awesome...can't wait to get out there and give it another shot...
Oct 16 2007 9:49PM
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scratchproteen
Posts: 5173 - Karma: 286
haha what a great quote

and my advice...just go around your hill/mountain what ever it is and ride switch on all the runs and get comfortable with it for me landing switch was just natural a 5 is my favorite spin...and i guess the good ole rule "practice makes perfect" :)
Oct 16 2007 10:45PM
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charmander
Posts: 10636 - Karma: 372
close your eyes and scream like a 4th grade schoolgirl
Oct 16 2007 10:51PM
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TechnoPotamus
Posts: 11626 - Karma: 3,522
start small, and until you can rock small jumps real easy don't move up, but just take it slow.  i still suck at it, and tearing my ACL and MCL last season didn't help.  but practice practice homie
Oct 16 2007 10:52PM
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*Michael*
Posts: 500 - Karma: 73

^mcl? that sucks dude. well so does acl.

i've also noticed that some people when landing swith on not very high spinning rotations land looking down the hill, but that probably comes from experience and muscle memory of doing the spin...

Oct 16 2007 11:21PM
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mtsteeze406
Posts: 447 - Karma: 11
this has been said in this thread, but if you wanna stick the shit out of your switch landings like c-van, spot up the hill. this brings your chest up, allowing for your wieght t be centered, and looking a thousand time better!
Oct 16 2007 11:29PM
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Gnarshred
Posts: 5670 - Karma: 18
HAHA Soooo true!

Roller 180s at high speed are the best, oh and roller switch 180s help with the switch pop i think
Oct 17 2007 12:31AM
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*DrewT*
Posts: 7768 - Karma: 480
Biggest thing people (including myself) have a hard time with when taking off switch is that they set the spin too early and they don't pop.  You've gotta make sure that you don't set the spin until you're acctually taking off the jump.  Also most people pop way better when they take off forward than when they take off switch therefore they wouldn't go as big as when they go forward.  These are probably the problems you're having

With landings, you just wanna make sure you spot the landing when there's 180 degrees of spin left and keep looking at it while the rest of your body finishes the spin.  If you get into the habbit of looking back uphill when you land switch you'll end up with your hands touching down and your ass sticking way up in the air.  I do it way more often than I should, so it's a good idea to work on looking over your shoulder when you're landing.  Only time I wouldn't do that is if it's a huge ass jump but if you're not solid landing switch already then don't do it on a huge ass jump.

Hopefully that helps
Oct 17 2007 1:03AM
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tjski
Posts: 5859 - Karma: 44
yes no v bombing..
Oct 17 2007 1:06AM
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ISkiSwitch
Posts: 3157 - Karma: 22
I have this problem too, or had. You mainly need to keep balanced, like, lean a bit more towards the noses than you would think, it helped me at least.
Oct 17 2007 1:16AM
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sdfjklioeur
Posts: 2082 - Karma: 114
whenever i take off i always carve, not cuz im skilled its just all ive learned so far, makes for some switch cork 3's though 
Oct 17 2007 2:22AM
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LivinOuttaBounZ
Posts: 949 - Karma: 382
Where are you mounted? True center will help with riding away switch and help with balence and pop when taking off. My opinion. If you havent drilled a bunch of holes looking for a good mount you might want to try it. Also what kind of flex do your boots have? I know it was easier to land switch with last years SPK's because they were hella flexy. 85 I think. I picked up this years SPK's and they have a 95 flex rating. Rode them once in Chile and thought it was alittle harder to get used to while riding switch.
Oct 17 2007 5:16AM
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Joan
Posts: 2944 - Karma: 1,305
thats the most hting people have a problem with is they end up buttering off the lip so just be patient becuase if you butter you will drift and its also harder ot gte onto rails switch if you carve off the jump
Oct 17 2007 1:15PM
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TechnoPotamus
Posts: 11626 - Karma: 3,522
yes sir it did.  I'm about 8 months post-surgery now, and i think i'm gonna go ski for the first time in like 1.5 years in 2 weeks.  cannot wait!
Oct 17 2007 1:37PM
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SkierX
Posts: 16253 - Karma: 538
That's awesome to hear. You must be stoked, yet apprehensive and nervous.

And your sig is making me want to bump the "robe and wizard hat" thread.
Oct 17 2007 1:55PM
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Pwn.Mode
Posts: 1061 - Karma: 10
when coming up switch dont do modified pizza what ever you do it will fuck you up and make you look like a nub just start out closer to the rail/box so you dont have to carve, look over your sholder and keep you skis staggered and straight. come up to the rail jump and your body will turn auto style because you're looking over your sholder. bend knees look steezy and bot away.

ps it helps to be able to slide unnatty first.

and landing switch you just gotta practice dude. practice looking over your sholder and staggering your skis and carving switch. when u land just look over your sholder and spot your landing.
Oct 17 2007 2:53PM
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Wis_Skier_23
Posts: 2263 - Karma: 245
i always cant seem to get spins going off switch...i can switch 3 but only off small tables.....and when i pop i always seem to be leaning back a ton....dont know why any tips
Oct 17 2007 3:26PM
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njinrome
Posts: 54 - Karma: 10
awesome guys...thanks for all the help

and i have mojos (which have a great flex) and i'm mounted true center -1
Oct 17 2007 3:27PM
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LivinOuttaBounZ
Posts: 949 - Karma: 382
Thats a good place to be mounted, Good luck!
Oct 17 2007 7:13PM
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finnafuckyobitch
Posts: 1647 - Karma: 865
same only on 5's though not 1's
Oct 17 2007 7:42PM
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-Kieran-
Posts: 1009 - Karma: 12
this is what this forums is about but u might try wanting to commit to te landing when coming out of a trick
Oct 17 2007 7:56PM
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ijibgoremtn
Posts: 4221 - Karma: 13
i was startin to get the hang of taking off switch at the end of last season, its so hard to judge your speed switch
Oct 17 2007 8:50PM
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joly.sp
Posts: 2305 - Karma: 585

I have a hard time with the balancing some times. Is there a way that always works. I can 180 drops easy but jumps are sorta harder for me?

Oct 17 2007 9:54PM
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joly.sp
Posts: 2305 - Karma: 585

I have a hard time with the balancing some times. Is there a way that always works. I can 180 drops easy but jumps are sorta harder for me?

Oct 17 2007 9:54PM
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[]Soul_Steeze[]
Posts: 2357 - Karma: 60
landing switch is a piece of cake

just make sure your tips touch first and then make sure your ballance and not leanin too far back.

takin off switch, wait to spin/flip/grab whatever it is your doin until you clear the lip or youll hook an edge and be coughin up snow...
Oct 17 2007 10:15PM
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G.R.E.G.
Posts: 903 - Karma: 65
yo my advice for taking off switch is to keep a wide stance and stay low with bent knees.. at least when spinning... i went to windells and thats what my coach taught me and it turned out to be the perfect advice... keep skis about shoulder width or wider and keep knees bent and stay low... helped me turn my sw 5 into a sw 9 both ways
Oct 17 2007 10:18PM
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Sholte
Posts: 2929 - Karma: 12
land looking up at the herizon and landing with youre weight forwad tips hit the ground first
Oct 18 2007 12:35AM
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*DrewT*
Posts: 7768 - Karma: 480
oh ya low wide stance.  But bend at the knee's not at the hips.  If you bend too much at the hips you won't be able to pop and it will also send you into a corked spin with very little control
Oct 18 2007 12:51AM
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