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March, 2024

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Need advice on the mental game of park

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Mereana
Posts: 6 - Karma: 107
I ski up to features and just go nope at the last second/half way on to it 'cos I freak out.

Physically can do everything, mentally: struggling.
Mar 3 2016 2:00AM
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frickindarn
Posts: 2545 - Karma: 11,374
My biggest thing is to ride with people who will push me. Not to do crazy things but smaller things that help me progress. This year alone I've relearned rails spins and flips because of my buddy Gary. He's a snowboarder but he's always the one to tell me "to man, you got this." And just be confident! You got this shit girl!
Mar 3 2016 2:50AM
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Chubz.
Posts: 13918 - Karma: 25,656
You honestly need to just sack up and commit once. Thats all it takes, then you realize you wont die then you jist do it.

It took my a few years to hit a non ride on flat rail that wasnt a baby rail 6 inches off the ground and earlier this week i tried it and greased it first try. go into the feature thinking that you got this, dont let your mind even think about backing out or falling. You got this, you know you got it and when you land it youre gonna feel awesome.

Aint nothin to it but to do it.
Mar 3 2016 3:01AM
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robbinJAHood
Posts: 1202 - Karma: 3,075
I always feel like this too and then suddenly I get an "oh fuck it" feeling and everything goes away and I have to go and do it at that very second or else I start freaking out again lol
Mar 3 2016 7:09AM
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ascent_studios
Posts: 2157 - Karma: 4,578
Like said before skiing with friends is really the way to go. Whenever I ski alone I get nowhere but when I ski alone I learn all my new tricks. A couple weeks ago me and my friend were hot lapping and I hadn't done a 540 yet. He did it and showed me it was possible and then I just went and did it. Also the longer you wait at the top to drop in the more likely you will become nervous. You just have to not think about it and drop as fast as you can
Mar 3 2016 7:14AM
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Deforestation
Posts: 1606 - Karma: 3,192
Chubz.You honestly need to just sack up and commit once. Thats all it takes, then you realize you wont die then you jist do it.

It took my a few years to hit a non ride on flat rail that wasnt a baby rail 6 inches off the ground and earlier this week i tried it and greased it first try. go into the feature thinking that you got this, dont let your mind even think about backing out or falling. You got this, you know you got it and when you land it youre gonna feel awesome.

Aint nothin to it but to do it.



First part is absolutely true. Just go for it, what's the worst that can happen on smaller features OP?

Now, this isn't meant as a slight towards you in any way but it will probably sound bad (sorry if it does)... you've been here for 6 years and just started hitting rails?
Mar 3 2016 8:29AM
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Evilchris
Posts: 2090 - Karma: 43
Pad up! crash shorts helped my confidence soooo much
Mar 3 2016 8:39AM
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270on420out
Posts: 7492 - Karma: 50,771
Only one thought goes through my head before a feature: "do it you fucking pussy"
Mar 3 2016 8:46AM
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ascent_studios
Posts: 2157 - Karma: 4,578
ben_collinsWhenever I ski alone I get nowhere but when I ski alone I learn all my new tricks.


whoops I meant "but when I ski with friends"
Mar 3 2016 9:38AM
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Mingg
Posts: 13936 - Karma: 48,464
My friend gave me some really solid advice this weekend.

I used to hit the lip, shifty over features but not actually hit them because I was pussying out.

When he was talking me into hitting one of the down rails I was like but what if I catch my tips? or slip out? and he looked at me and said "Stop thinking about what could go wrong, and think about how epic it will be when you stomp it."

I mother fuckin hit the rail, slid off a little early, but I committed to it. And a few more runs, I fucking stomped it and it was epic! So that is my advice to you. Visualize the how epic if will be when you land it (:

Also speed is your friend. It helps you not knuckle and it makes balancing on rails way easier. I always have the issue of not wanting to hit things at speed, but it really makes them easier.
Mar 3 2016 9:44AM
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tommyk141
Posts: 265 - Karma: 1,332
usually my friends just yell do it no balls at me so thats enough pure pressure for me
Mar 3 2016 10:14AM
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RickeyBobby
Posts: 39 - Karma: 202
Ski with good friends, that's the best thing you can do to progress.
#fuckitandhuckit
Mar 3 2016 10:44AM
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The.Fish
Posts: 2269 - Karma: 4,985
I was debating hitting this urban on rain and a girl told me to grow a pair. I broke my wrists lol
Mar 3 2016 10:53AM
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HAMNATION
Posts: 814 - Karma: 1,719
Just remind your self you know how to urban on.... and you can jump on to tall things. Or think about cleaning it instead of jumping on it. Riding up and then going nope is a bad habit tho brake it quick before it gets in your head. Better to intentionally scope it and hit it the next lap.


Oh and wu tang and biggie help too.
Mar 3 2016 10:53AM
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Mereana
Posts: 6 - Karma: 107
DeforestationFirst part is absolutely true. Just go for it, what's the worst that can happen on smaller features OP?

Now, this isn't meant as a slight towards you in any way but it will probably sound bad (sorry if it does)... you've been here for 6 years and just started hitting rails?


All good! I didn't actually say what I am/not hitting. I'm hitting most medium rails/features just trying to get onto larger shit with a bigger pop on.
Mar 3 2016 11:02AM
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Mereana
Posts: 6 - Karma: 107
Mad advice, thanks team.

robbinJAHoodI always feel like this too and then suddenly I get an "oh fuck it" feeling and everything goes away and I have to go and do it at that very second or else I start freaking out again lol

yes! I know that feeling so well, just need to find it more often.

I'm pretty much doing most of your recommendations, I pretty much only ski with guys who push me hard and stand at the side of features telling me not to be a bitch. No waiting around at the top is solid advice.

Confidence is key I guess...
Mar 3 2016 11:08AM
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_Ryan_
Posts: 1538 - Karma: 3,192
A good way to improve your mental game is to practice pushing your comfort zone on and off the hill. For example, go tramping in the summer and learn flippy tricks and stuff. Practice getting comfortable being not totally confident/comfortable... Sounds weird but it seriously helps, just try to get loose and push all thoughts out of your head. Its basically ski meditation.

Also get drunk and you'll do it.
Mar 3 2016 11:10AM
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Ian_Fitz
Posts: 826 - Karma: 6,509
MereanaMad advice, thanks team.


yes! I know that feeling so well, just need to find it more often.

I'm pretty much doing most of your recommendations, I pretty much only ski with guys who push me hard and stand at the side of features telling me not to be a bitch. No waiting around at the top is solid advice.

Confidence is key I guess...

Try going up to the trick /feature and
Just picture in ur head what you have to do ....hike a feature till u commit it makes u want to do it because you get tired the more you wimp out. I've hiked jumps before when i really want to get a trick...that motivates me to not mess up or I have to hike again and do it.
Mar 3 2016 11:14AM
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Pac2
Posts: 794 - Karma: 2,859
MereanaI ski up to features and just go nope at the last second/half way on to it 'cos I freak out.

Physically can do everything, mentally: struggling.


i skiied for the first time in two weeks at the ns gathering which i sadly showed up late too due to work that had to be done at my house and i live an hour away so i ended getting to the mountain at 2:00 and it closed at 4. I was pretty bummed out i missed the ns gathering but i wanted to get ski time in more than anything. Most of the time i go out and think im gonna go throw down and then when i actually get to the park im nervous but i feel like since i was in a time crunch and wanted to get tricks done my mental game just shot through the roof. Hadn't skied for 2 weeks and was just wanting to nail every trick i had learned and more and thats exactly what i did and surprisingly was not nervous at all. I had that feeling that you get after watching a sick edit and just wanting to go out and stomp every trick you can. It was a really nice blue bird day and with the lack of snow on the east i had to use my time efficiently. So maybe try that, show up late one day and then it will force you to go all out before the mountain closes.
Mar 3 2016 12:01PM
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Dddsz
Posts: 3042 - Karma: 7,328
Deforestationyou've been here for 6 years and just started hitting rails?


I rarely ski rails tbh. You don't have to be a literal "Newschool skier" to be on the website.
Mar 3 2016 12:06PM
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Aharrelson358
Posts: 356 - Karma: 478
Get Full Tilts
Mar 3 2016 12:10PM
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NSwidow
Posts: 888 - Karma: 3,219
You already know what you're doing wrong- I.E. pussying out as you come up to the feature. just dont do that. just commit. Decide to do it, and do it. Yeah, its scary. But doing something that scares you is healthy for you. I made a promise to myself when I started learning scarier tricks- if you call something, you gotta do it. And now, I never say i'm gonna do something and then not do it. If i say I'm gonna backie something, I commit. So now, if I'm scared of doing something, I tell someone I'm gonna do it so that I have to, to keep my promise to myself ;)
Mar 3 2016 12:26PM
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RoidedSasquatch
Posts: 114 - Karma: 114
I used to be terrified to lip onto down rails. One time I nutted up and tried. I ate shit but the next try, I got on the rail and slid a bit. From there I could commit to lip on, and after a couple times out on the hill I can now lip on blind 2 down rails. I can actually commit to lapping onto anything now.

Honestly when you commit once and realize that you probably won't die on that feature you'll be able to commit no problem next time you try. Just make sure you actually commit.

Tl;Dr wanted to learn only trick in the world on down rails tried to lip on even though I was scared and kept going. Now I can do the only trick in the world.
Mar 3 2016 1:18PM
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yungsteeze
Posts: 673 - Karma: 1,969
if you can visualize yourself actually doing it then just try it and trust your instincts and skills. it's a different story if you're hitting a sketchy urban rail that you actually shouldn't hit based on the risk. if you go home after skiing and regret not hitting the feature, then picture yourself doing it successfully in your free time and feel confident and ready for the next time you try it. as you progress you'll be able to decide if you want to hit something before you go to hit it based on your instincts and how you feel before dropping in. commit fully.
Mar 3 2016 1:19PM
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Pigeon.
Posts: 2366 - Karma: 3,977
i agree with everyone in this thread

-ride with people to push you

-find someone really hype who will legit scream at you to do stuff

-ride with people alarmingly better than you to shame yourself into wanting to do more, and exploiting their knowledge and experience as a shortcut to better yourself.

I'd check out aidan shaehns instagram too, he posted a long time ago about a type of extreme sports meditation he does while he rides which is really cool, and helps keep your mind clear of rational and irrational fears of commitment.
Mar 3 2016 1:54PM
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Deforestation
Posts: 1606 - Karma: 3,192
Point.I rarely ski rails tbh. You don't have to be a literal "Newschool skier" to be on the website.


No shit. I barely ever ride park unless it's a truly shitty day where most of the mountain is closef. I still know how to do rails though.
Mar 3 2016 4:47PM
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steezburgereddie
Posts: 1059 - Karma: 1,944
The.FishI was debating hitting this urban on rain and a girl told me to grow a pair. I broke my wrists lol


Did you get pity sex?
Mar 3 2016 11:33PM
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Chubz.
Posts: 13918 - Karma: 25,656
DeforestationFirst part is absolutely true. Just go for it, what's the worst that can happen on smaller features OP?

Now, this isn't meant as a slight towards you in any way but it will probably sound bad (sorry if it does)... you've been here for 6 years and just started hitting rails?


bigger rails yeah..its common knowledge im straight booty cheeks at park skiing. I can slide baby rails and shit but bigger rails have always intimidated me/ gave me a bad time so its cool finally being able to hit stuff somewhat comfortably.
Mar 3 2016 11:51PM
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el_mn_op
Posts: 577 - Karma: 1,175
As you're riding up to the feature, remember that nothing that bad can happen. Maybe you'll fall and it'll hurt a little bit, but really, you'll be fine. And most likely, you won't fall.
Mar 4 2016 12:31AM
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-frosty-
Posts: 184 - Karma: 309
EvilchrisPad up! crash shorts helped my confidence soooo much


what do you mean can u show an example? also how do they help.
Mar 4 2016 12:55AM
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-frosty-
Posts: 184 - Karma: 309
The.FishI was debating hitting this urban on rain and a girl told me to grow a pair. I broke my wrists lol


hahahahah
Mar 4 2016 12:56AM
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SDrvpvr
Posts: 79 - Karma: 491
Since your name is pink, sounds like you're ready to go pro.
Mar 4 2016 1:46AM
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The.Fish
Posts: 2269 - Karma: 4,985
steezburgereddieDid you get pity sex?


Nah now she hates me for some reason.
Mar 4 2016 8:09AM
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Evilchris
Posts: 2090 - Karma: 43
-frosty-what do you mean can u show an example? also how do they help.


I uses these. They just make hippers hurt less http://g-form.com/en/pro-x-compression-shorts.html
Mar 4 2016 10:57PM
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Deforestation
Posts: 1606 - Karma: 3,192
EvilchrisI uses these. They just make hippers hurt less http://g-form.com/en/pro-x-compression-shorts.html


100 bux? What a deal for underwear!!! My last 3 pack cost me 7000 dollars.
Mar 4 2016 11:15PM
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roach1324
Posts: 215 - Karma: 331
falling is fun just channel all yourself destructive tendencies into ur trick
Mar 4 2016 11:29PM
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mike759
Posts: 872 - Karma: 1,949
i just dont think at all
Mar 5 2016 12:26AM
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Schwags
Posts: 4692 - Karma: 399
Your body and mind does not want to risk injury naturally. This is because of evolution. In the past a simple injury could mean death for you. Now we got hospitals. You have to be the type of person to seek risk for satisfaction to want to risk injury for progression.
Mar 5 2016 5:41AM
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skiznuts
Posts: 462 - Karma: 783
A few things. Close your eyes and imagine yourself doing it. Then, take that thought and replace it with the one of you bailing in the front of your mind. Also, bring homies that aren't to much better or worse than you, but to the point where you can push each other. Watch other people do dope tricks, yell "Get er" before you drop or whatever helps you to get stoked.
Mar 5 2016 6:11AM
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Earl_Globz
Posts: 1551 - Karma: 779
on slope dabs make you dumb enough to go for anything, straight up. Most of the time you even have the physical chops to do somewhat of the trick you were trying to do. That raw senselessness. Thats the key to skiing ghood.
Mar 5 2016 7:31AM
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freestyler540
Posts: 13044 - Karma: 18,270
Listen to your conscience!!!!! Cant stress this enough; with 25 years skiing, I have never gotten hurt or ended up in the hospital. When the mind says no, its no.

Now, how to overcome this little voice.
Step one: Start small...really really small. Baby parks in the morning are really nice to step up the game before the gapers wreck it. Practice going a little above your ability on the down days by skiing faster, or jumping further than normal. It will build confidence.

step two: Get some friends that know their shit and ride religiously with them. Some girls can throw down better than guys, plus they had to figure this out on their own. Dont rely on guys advice on tricks and stuff, we are built differently. Get a female coach.

Step three: Take a break, ride something different for a few days and come back later. Your mind will let you step up the game when the confidence is high. Taking a break relaxes the muscles and relieves the mind of the stresses of a feature. I fractured a thumb trying to push a cork 7 before landing a 7. I tried 11 years later with a huge load of experience and nailed it on the first try.

Step four: Remember there are good days and bad days. Listen to your mind; she will protect you from hurting yourself. On good days, the mind will be quiet and will let the body react faster so that the dreadful feeling of failure is reduced to a peep. A mental trick is to envision the feature or run. If you cant see it in your mind, you are not ready to try it. If you can experience the entire thing in the mind before dropping in, you can relax with the feeling that you have do it before.

good luck
Mar 5 2016 12:30PM
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