The Difference Between Carving and Tricks

Carving and tricks.
They are the same snowboarding, but there are differences in how you play.

People who like carving practice carving.
People who like tricks practice jumps, spins, and ground tricks.
Of course, it is interesting to pursue each one.
However, from the perspective of board control,
you will become a better snowboarder if you do both.
That is what I think.

In the first place, the way you use the board is different between carving and tricks.

What is important in carving is
the "lateral" movement of the board.
You tilt the board to the toe side and heel side to control the edge angle.
You make the edge angle stronger or weaker.
You move to the opposite side during the transition.

Of course, there is also forward and backward movement, but in carving, there are many situations where you use lateral board control.

On the other hand, what about tricks?
For an ollie, you flex the tail.
For a nollie, you use the nose.
In a press, you flex the board while shifting your center of gravity to the nose or tail.
Even in jumps and spins, there are many situations where you use the nose, tail, and the board's rebound.

This is
the "longitudinal" movement of the board.
You are controlling the board in a different direction than in carving.

Thinking about it this way is interesting, isn't it?
In carving, it's "lateral".
In tricks, it's "longitudinal".
Even though you are operating the same snowboard in both, the direction they excel at is different.

That is why I think
it is better not to separate carving and tricks as completely different techniques.
I believe that.

For example, if you only do carving, your board control in the lateral direction will get better and better.
However, you don't have many opportunities to actively use the nose or tail.
Conversely, when you do tricks,
"I can ride the tail this much."
"It's okay to flex the nose this much."
"If I'm in this position, the board moves like this."
You learn these things with your body.

Your sense of the board's longitudinal direction expands.
And this sense is also useful when you return to carving.

The opposite is also true.
If someone who focuses on tricks practices carving, their sense of edge angle and edges will improve.

How much should I tilt the edge?
Where should I transition?
Where should I balance against the force received from the snow surface?
You acquire board control that is difficult to experience with tricks alone.

Carving and tricks.
They look like completely different ways of riding.
But,

Carving uses lateral movement.
Tricks use longitudinal movement.

Thinking about it that way, the two do not seem to be in conflict, but rather seem to complement each other.

You can use not only lateral but also longitudinal movement.
You can use not only longitudinal but also lateral movement.
And you become able to combine them.
That might be what it means to move a single board freely.

If you like carving, try playing with the nose or tail once in a while.
If you like tricks, try turning with a deep edge angle.
Being able to move the board in various directions improves your board control.

Since you are using the same snowboard,
I think you will see a different kind of improvement if you try to enjoy it from various directions instead of just one way of playing.

This was Rei Aoki, the demon of verbalization.