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July, 2025

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How to land weight more forward on switch 540's?

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tominiemenmaa
Posts: 573 - Karma: 3,387
Tore my calf last spring when doing my first switch fives. Problem was landing super back seat and it let to various weird crashes. Last of them my right ski got weirdly stuck underneath me, swiveled to switch, with all of my weight over it, stretching the calf to a point where it tore, so wasn't able to do pretty much anything. Haven't tried one this season but feel like it would soon be achievable. I'm comfortable hitting small to medium size kickers switch and doing switch 180 & 360.

The easiest way would be to cork it, but that feels way too scary for now, so there's two options left, right?

Picking my feet up at 270 or setting the rotation more forward. Which one you prefer and why? Setting forward feels almost as scary as setting more back towards a cork.

Any tips appreciated.

The calf was torn on the last hit of this reel: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CbSDmLpJg-U/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
3 years ago
5 0
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skierman
Posts: 8621 - Karma: 9,451
Keep landing backseat and hopefully you'll tear both calves next time.
3 years ago
19 19
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BigmoneyMatt
Posts: 1545 - Karma: 1,216
Probably over correcting the kick of jump? Imagine there's a string at your axis of rotation(center of your body) pulling upwards, that should help to visualize. If you are still having issues, you should do T-set's.

Think about things that rotate for a second, the wider something is, I.E a plate, the more likely it is to rotate flat. If you spread your arms out(even during takeoff) and spring 360's with solely your legs. Mainly your knees, acting as springs for your quads, which acts as the driving force, behind the 360. Once you inevitably stomp 540's with this method (because it fucking works)
Start doing 7's, if you feel uncomfortable, take a step back, or work on switch 5's which will seriously help with the mental block of the second shoulder.

This will be very scary at first, but if you practice this to perfection you will be doing grabs much easier because you aren't going to be relying on your arms as much for lower degrees of rotation.
3 years ago
0 0
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BigmoneyMatt
Posts: 1545 - Karma: 1,216
BrotherBProbably over correcting the kick of jump? Imagine there's a string at your axis of rotation(center of your body) pulling upwards, that should help to visualize. If you are still having issues, you should do T-set's.

Think about things that rotate for a second, the wider something is, I.E a plate, the more likely it is to rotate flat. If you spread your arms out(even during takeoff) and spring 360's with solely your legs. Mainly your knees, acting as springs for your quads, which acts as the driving force, behind the 360. Once you inevitably stomp 540's with this method (because it fucking works)
Start doing 7's, if you feel uncomfortable, take a step back, or work on switch 5's which will seriously help with the mental block of the second shoulder.

This will be very scary at first, but if you practice this to perfection you will be doing grabs much easier because you aren't going to be relying on your arms as much for lower degrees of rotation.


oh for switch 5...

You're leaning too forward on takeoff, try carving switch more upright for a bit and Conciously take it to the jump, usually fixes it for me.
3 years ago
1 0
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tominiemenmaa
Posts: 573 - Karma: 3,387
Makes sense, thanks.

For my switch 180's I get a good high pop and land weight forward most of the time, but for switch 360's it tends to be a smaller and easier pop and landing weight more up due to getting back to proper switch stance. Will try this when the stars are properly aligned; send it with the switch 180 pop & adding a boosted switch 360 set and it should bring me to 540 with weight forward?
BrotherBoh for switch 5...

You're leaning too forward on takeoff, try carving switch more upright for a bit and Conciously take it to the jump, usually fixes it for me.
3 years ago
0 0
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BigmoneyMatt
Posts: 1545 - Karma: 1,216
tominiemenmaaMakes sense, thanks.

For my switch 180's I get a good high pop and land weight forward most of the time, but for switch 360's it tends to be a smaller and easier pop and landing weight more up due to getting back to proper switch stance. Will try this when the stars are properly aligned; send it with the switch 180 pop & adding a boosted switch 360 set and it should bring me to 540 with weight forward?


yeah that would set you up nicer then just send, switch shifty 1 aswell, if you can manage it, a switch stale 1 would be ideal for practicing that yank to regs. Don't be afraid to yuck that 1 around, getting caught lazy in the air is the best way to fuck urself up.
3 years ago
0 0
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Farmville420
Posts: 5220 - Karma: 67,794
Genuine solution would be to start blading in the summer. you only ever realize how shit ur balance is once you start trying to ride blades, helped me correct a lot of my problems tbh
3 years ago
4 0
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tominiemenmaa
Posts: 573 - Karma: 3,387
This is very true. I've done my first switch fives on blades and blading in general is my go-to compensation treatment for skiing :)
Farmville420Genuine solution would be to start blading in the summer. you only ever realize how shit ur balance is once you start trying to ride blades, helped me correct a lot of my problems tbh
3 years ago
1 0
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270on420out
Posts: 7525 - Karma: 51,354
I wouldnt reccomend corking it. Switch cork 5s are a lot more flip oriented than they are spin oriented. Found that out when i went to learn my first one and i got stuck sideways in the air. Tried the next one like i was just going switch and doing a misty and i landed fine. For a straight up and down sw 5 id try and think about it like a switch 180 to late 360 instead of an overrotated switch 3
3 years ago
0 0
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katrina
Posts: 2395 - Karma: 15,195
Check your din, if you tore your calf I'd worry it's not where it should be.

Get a video of yourself, if I had to guess you're bent forward at the waist at the lip, so if your weight is too far forward. That's a pretty common issue I've seen coaching. You can also think about bringing your skis up for a mute grab, that motion might be enough to set you straight too.
3 years ago
6 0
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KilaTsunami
Posts: 3387 - Karma: 32,636
Hang fishing weights off the noses
3 years ago
6 0
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BigmoneyMatt
Posts: 1545 - Karma: 1,216
Farmville420Genuine solution would be to start blading in the summer. you only ever realize how shit ur balance is once you start trying to ride blades, helped me correct a lot of my problems tbh


Blading helped reset my underbite.
3 years ago
1 0
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BigmoneyMatt
Posts: 1545 - Karma: 1,216
270on420outI wouldnt reccomend corking it. Switch cork 5s are a lot more flip oriented than they are spin oriented. Found that out when i went to learn my first one and i got stuck sideways in the air. Tried the next one like i was just going switch and doing a misty and i landed fine. For a straight up and down sw 5 id try and think about it like a switch 180 to late 360 instead of an overrotated switch 3


I want to try it, assumed it would be like throwing switch tail butter, but rlly late. Like cranking backseat into a flat 3 sorta.
This comment worries me.
3 years ago
0 0
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tominiemenmaa
Posts: 573 - Karma: 3,387
Yeah, I think keeping the stance more upright will help with this. The DIN calculator gives me 8 and I ride 9.5, which I really like. Feels like the bindings release every time they should and almost never when they shouldn't.


https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/1060708/trim-410F61C0-AC5C-4502-BBEF-C9E9C4A211D0-MOV

The calf case is pretty much the only time I've injured myself in a situation where a binding release would've made a difference. I made the wrong call pushing myself at the time, as I had already skied a week straight harder than normally and also had a minor strain or pretty nasty cramp a day earlier on the same calf from trying to learn nose butters, and kept skiing AND pushing to learn new stuff. As you can see from the video, the situation itself doesn't look too dramatic. Just made the wrong call and paid the price. Due to this injury & understanding the fact I'll be turning 40 in December I've started to hit the gym to prepare my body to keep pushing my freeskiing addiction!
katrinaCheck your din, if you tore your calf I'd worry it's not where it should be.

Get a video of yourself, if I had to guess you're bent forward at the waist at the lip, so if your weight is too far forward. That's a pretty common issue I've seen coaching. You can also think about bringing your skis up for a mute grab, that motion might be enough to set you straight too.
3 years ago
2 0
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tominiemenmaa
Posts: 573 - Karma: 3,387
This makes way more sense than it should, the switch 180 to late 360 sounds super retarded but still reasonable 😁
270on420outFor a straight up and down sw 5 id try and think about it like a switch 180 to late 360 instead of an overrotated switch 3
3 years ago
0 0
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skierman
Posts: 8621 - Karma: 9,451
*doesn't set rotation*

"WHY IS SPINNING SOOOOOO HARD!?!?!?"
3 years ago
2 1
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tominiemenmaa
Posts: 573 - Karma: 3,387
Learning zero spins 101 with @skierman
skierman*doesn't set rotation*

"WHY IS SPINNING SOOOOOO HARD!?!?!?"
3 years ago
2 1
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Trifes
Posts: 669 - Karma: 5,628
its actually pretty simple - if you are backseat your too much leaning towards your noses on the take off. pressure your calfs can help balance it out.

get well
3 years ago
4 0
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tominiemenmaa
Posts: 573 - Karma: 3,387
Thanks! You should make tutorials about upright spins and some simpler stuff on bigger features like zero spins as well! I think you've got one the best YouTube channels for freeskiing tutorials. Right up the top2 alley with Jens & Stomp It crew, very different approach but top notch quality on both ends.
CoachTrifesits actually pretty simple - if you are backseat your too much leaning towards your noses on the take off. pressure your calfs can help balance it out.

get well
3 years ago
1 0
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Schoess
Posts: 2135 - Karma: 25,645
On the takeoff, you're just sliding around. You have to pop with your legs and open up your chest. Sliding takeoffs are inconsistent and dangerous. The backseat landings are not something to be concerned about right now I would say. Because you're initiating the trick wrong. Once you are able to fix that, then see how you are landing and aim to correct it.
tominiemenmaaThanks! You should make tutorials about upright spins and some simpler stuff on bigger features like zero spins as well! I think you've got one the best YouTube channels for freeskiing tutorials. Right up the top2 alley with Jens & Stomp It crew, very different approach but top notch quality on both ends.
3 years ago
1 0
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Trifes
Posts: 669 - Karma: 5,628
tominiemenmaaThanks! You should make tutorials about upright spins and some simpler stuff on bigger features like zero spins as well! I think you've got one the best YouTube channels for freeskiing tutorials. Right up the top2 alley with Jens & Stomp It crew, very different approach but top notch quality on both ends.


thank you for the kindness and the input. will definitely look into that. By the way i've also just seen the video above. Make sure your edges grip and you stay french fries until your boots hit the lip :)
3 years ago
0 0
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tominiemenmaa
Posts: 573 - Karma: 3,387
Yeah, the clip is from last March and haven't tried the trick after that, but I've skied a bunch and my switch takeoffs are in better shape now so there's a better chance to succeed when the conditions occur 👨🏻‍🦳
SchoessOn the takeoff, you're just sliding around. You have to pop with your legs and open up your chest. Sliding takeoffs are inconsistent and dangerous. The backseat landings are not something to be concerned about right now I would say. Because you're initiating the trick wrong. Once you are able to fix that, then see how you are landing and aim to correct it.


CoachTrifesthank you for the kindness and the input. will definitely look into that. By the way i've also just seen the video above. Make sure your edges grip and you stay french fries until your boots hit the lip :)
3 years ago
0 0
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fregoso
Posts: 109 - Karma: 804
get a luke votaw helmet works like a charm
3 years ago
0 0
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