Bindings setup
whats the best bindings stance for me if im beginning to do rails etc? does it matter whether the bindings are set in a duck stance or whether the back binding is straight (0 deg) and front binding angled a bit forward (15 deg),which is what they are atm ?
cheers
The real answer is what ever feels most comfortable for you and whatever works for you.
Typically most freestylers use a duck switch stance, but it’s not usually an even duck, like it’s not 21 / 21, but maybe 21/15.
If your front foot is comfortable at 15degrees, then try to duck a little at 15 / 9.
the best way to figure it out is to try some different options.
There is no best stance.
For snowboarding I ride whatevers comfortable (in a duck stance), because I do not get to go as much as I would like. However for wakeboarding which I do alot I have always been told to ride in pure duck and get used to it (translates to 15/15 or 21/21 snowboarding), this is because it is just so much easier to ride switch when you are competent going both ways. This stops you from getting good and comfortable going one way with uneven bindings and then when you get good at riding switch having to change them and get comfortable again. Hope that made sense.
This article isn’t edited yet and there are small things I need to fix up or explain better. There will also be a lot of little links in there that link to other articles (which will make things easier to understand), but this info will help you. I should mention this article will also have diagrams and images to make thinngs easier to understand and visualise. Please feel free to give me any feedback.
Choosing your stance
Author: Jeremy Sheridan – Snowboard Instructor (CASI 2)
The important thing to understand about stance is there is no best stance. The best stance is what works and feels comfortable for your riding style. I highly recommend you play around with your stance, so you can feel the subtle differences. Only then can you truly know what works best for you. This guide will help you understand how to choose your stance and how it all works.
Regular or Goofy
The first thing you need to determine is whether you have a regular or goofy stance. A regular stance means your left foot is the leading foot. A goofy stance means your right foot is the leading foot.
If you skate, surf, or ride any board – you should already know if you have a regular or goofy stance.
Try to imagine yourself turning on your snowboard down a slope. What side of your body would you prefer to lead with?
A good exercise to determine which foot goes forward is running then sliding on a smooth floor in socks. Which foot goes forward?
If you are still unsure, the best thing to go snowboarding and see what feels best. You will soon work out your preferred stance.
Binding angles
Each binding needs to be attached to your snowboard at an angle. Any binding angled towards the nose (front) of the board is said to have a positive angle. Any binding angled towards the tail (back) of the board is said to have a negative angle. Any binding placed perpendicular to the length on the board is said to have an angle of zero degrees. The factors which determine a snowboarder’s binding angles are comfort, ability level, and riding style.
Beginners should use a directional stance: this means your snowboard will be set up to travel favourably in one direction. As a beginner snowboarder learns the basic skills of snowboarding, the ultimate goal is to start linking turns; this will be easier with a directional stance. I suggest you start with an angle of 18 degrees on the front binding, and 0 degrees on the back binding. This is a good stance to start with.
As your skill level progresses you might want to start learning freestyle tricks, such as a 180. Learning to ride switch really opens the door to freestyle progression. To perform a 180 you either need to be able to take off or land in switch stance (riding in the opposite direction to your preferred stance). By having the back binding at a negative angle (towards the tail of your board), you make riding switch significantly easier: this is called duck stance.
Duck stance is more versatile and opens your body to travel in both directions. For this reason duck stance is preferred by many snowboarders. If you are trying duck stance for the first time, start small and see how it feels. Most binding angles increment by three degrees; try an angle of negative three, or negative six degrees on the back foot. For a more dramatic effect, try an angle up to negative 15 degrees. A lot of snowboarders also find duck stance more comfortable on their knees.
Always have at least 15 degrees on your front foot; any less will make turn initiation unnecessarily difficult. These days the majority of snowboarder will have between 15 and 21 degrees on their front binding and between 0 and negative 15 degrees on their back binding.
Freeride or Freestyle
Freeriding generally requires a directional stance, meaning the snowboard is set up to ride favourably in one direction. A freerider rides the snowboard in their dominant direction more often than not; it enables them to ride more aggressively, with greater response for turning, and more float in powder.
Freestyle generally requires a centered stance, meaning the snowboard is set up to ride well in both directions. Freestylers ride the snowboard in both directions; it enables them to ride switch with ease, for versatility when performing freestyle tricks.
Stance width
Stance width is the distance between the left and right bindings; it is measured from the centre of each baseplate (the round disc in the bottom of the binding). Ability level, riding style, and comfort all need to be considered when choosing your stance width. It is likely you will have to try a few different stance widths to see what works best for you.
Beginners should start with a narrower stance for two reasons. Firstly, you are new to snowboarding and therefore don’t have a preferred stance just yet; it is always better to start narrower, and then try wider. Secondly, the ultimate goal of a beginner is to start linking turns; a narrower stance makes it easier to pivot, and therefore turn.
Freeriding requires a narrower stance. Generally speaking, a narrower stance is better for turning with high performance; it enables the rider to exert more force through a more concentrated section of the edge, makes turning more responsive, and makes riding powder easier.
Freestyle requires a wider stance. Generally speaking, a wider stance provides more stability and versatility; it enables the rider to apply more pressure to the nose and tail of the snowboard (for presses and tricks), makes landings more stable (on rails or jumps), and tweaking body position (for added style) much easier.
Continued…
Comfort is the most important consideration for stance width; your stance should always feel comfortable. Shoulder width is apart is a safe starting point; if you are new to snowboarding always start narrower, and then gradually try wider. As your riding progresses it is important to try different stance widths to see what feels most comfortable, while giving maximum performance for your riding style.
Setback
A setback stance means the centre of your stance is offset from the centre of the snowboard towards the tail; this stance is generally favourable for freeriding. The average setback for a freeride stance is approximately one inch. It enables you to apply more pressure to the back of their snowboard, generating more power in turns. A setback stance is particularly beneficial for riding powder. For deep powder you can set your stance back even further; two inches or more. It applies more weight to the back of the board causing the tail to sink, the nose to rise, and the board to float on top of the snow – just like a surfboard.
A centred stance means the centre of your stance is also the centre of the snowboard; this stance is generally favourable for freestyle. A centred stance is versatile, makes spinning easier, and enables you to ride with equal ease in both directions. Switch riding is a very important aspect of freestyle; a centred stance simply makes this easier.
Binding position
Each binding can be moved towards either the toe or heel edge of the snowboard. Your bindings need to be positioned in a way that your boot is centred between the toe and heel edges. If your boots hang over one edge more than the other, your entire body position will be out of alignment with the snowboard. You also increase the risk of your boots digging into the snow when making a turn.
To see if your boots are centred on the snowboard – strap your boots into the binding and flip the board upside down. You will be able to see if your boots hang over one edge more than the other. If your boots hang over the toe edge more than the heel edge, move the bindings down towards the heel edge. If your boots hang over the heel edge more than the toe edge, move your bindings up towards the toe edge.
Highback rotation
The highbacks on your binding should be rotated so they are parallel with the heel edge. The highbacks work as a lever; if they are parallel they work more effectively and enable you to transfer from edge to edge with less effort. If the highbacks are parallel it is also easier to flex your boots towards the nose or tail of the snowboard; this enables you to apply more pressure to the nose or tail for presses, or for tweaking your body position in the air when grabbing, for greater style.
If you have any questions, ask one of our qualified snowboard instructors on the Boardworld forums.
woah thats really helpful, i shall try out a duck stance next time im at the slopes
thanks!
Awesome! I’m stoked that helped. Wait for the diagrams and it will be even better 
setting up is completely a personal choice some people will never experiment with their set up so they are missing out on a lot. always muck around with what you have or ask some friends what they have done with there set ups in the past. just remember when seting up sometimes what might work in one style of riding wont always have a really good effect on another style. so never be afraid to try what you want and ride what your more comfortable with.
Hey All,
Just with the highback rotation. It makes sense that it should be parallel with the heel edge of the board, but can this rotaion be resticted by the type of bindings you are using. Im using burton est’s at the moment and can only rotate the highback only a small amount otherwise it won’t sit on the support ‘ledge/base’ properly, as the ledge curves and is not straight. Then if your force it to sit on the support at an angle the holes wont meet up to secure the highback to the binding. Does this all make sense??? 
Only have the one set of bindings atm so can’t compare.
Hey All,
Just with the highback rotation. It makes sense that it should be parallel with the heel edge of the board, but can this rotaion be resticted by the type of bindings you are using. Im using burton est’s at the moment and can only rotate the highback only a small amount otherwise it won’t sit on the support ‘ledge/base’ properly, as the ledge curves and is not straight. Then if your force it to sit on the support at an angle the holes wont meet up to secure the highback to the binding. Does this all make sense???
Hey, don’t worry it makes perfect sense.
Yes the highback rotation is limited by the bindings, but in most cases you shouldn’t have any problem getting them parallel with binding angles up to about 21 degrees. You do have to be a bit forceful; don’t worry you won’t break the bindings. Pull the heel cup section of the highback tight and snug, so it fits where it should be. Use a bit of force and put it there. Hold the screw section thing in place with one hand (if you push it against the binding, the teeth will catch and hold it in place), tighten one side then pull the heel cup in tight again, hold the other screw section in place and tighten. You might need to make small adjustments, but it should work. If you have any more problems let me know.
At angles like 21degrees and over, the high back tends to separate from the heel cup on Burton’s bindings when you are rotating it to make it parallel with the edge.
Be sure to pull the heel part of the HB into the heel cup so there’s no gap between them.
... and follow the instructions above to tighten it in place.
I think this is what Jeremy meant by “Use a bit of force and put it there”
Which is actually always good advice!
When you cant get that last bit of rotation to your spin: “Use a bit of force and put it there”.
When you cant hold the nose press on the flat-down box: “Use a bit of force and put it there”.
When you’re not getting enough pop off the lip to smoothly transition the step-up hit: Use a bit of force and put it there”.
When the edge angle of the board isnt high enough to get that super tight radius carved turn you’ve always wanted “Use a bit of force and put it there”
LOL I like it!
The quote of the day.
thanks rider, had a play around and managed to fix it more parallel. It just took a bit of filldling (and force snowslider) to have it fitting snug on the base cup.
appreciate the advice 