[Ground Tricks] Snowboard Tricks Introduction and Tutorial Video Compilation [Snowboarding]
Have you ever seen people at the ski resort not only ride their snowboards down the slope, but also show off various tricks along the way—like jumping and spinning? Those are called ground tricks, meaning tricks performed on flat terrain, and the abbreviation “gratoli” (gratori) has become common.
In this article, we’ll introduce everything from the basic movements to the tricks of ground tricks that even beginners can practice and try.
We’ll also include instructional videos uploaded by various riders, so take your time watching them and give the practice a try.
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Trick (1–10)
Drive spin
This is a technique where you transfer the twisting force of your body to the board to make it spin quickly in place and slide.
When done while moving, the forward momentum adds to the force, so it’s recommended to practice on flat ground first and then try it while riding.
It’s important to grasp which direction the board will turn when you twist your body: first apply force in the opposite direction, then twist your body toward the rotation and transfer that force to the board.
Also be mindful of how your weight on each foot affects braking, and aim for smooth rotation by switching the angle and pressure on the soles of your feet.
Backside 180
This trick involves jumping with a backward rotation relative to your direction of travel and spinning the board 180 degrees to land.
Start by setting up in a toe-side turn stance, then flow into the turn, popping up with an ollie-style snap to lift off and change your body’s orientation.
Where you look is also crucial for generating rotational force—don’t be afraid to shift your gaze, as it will help your body rotate.
If the ollie-style pop causes you to get hung up, a recommended approach is to begin with a two-footed jump and gradually get used to the body movements.
Backside nose press
This trick involves rotating the back of the board 90 degrees in the direction of travel around the nose as the axis, and then sliding with the board sideways.
If you keep sliding like this for too long, you’ll lose speed and are more likely to catch an edge, so it’s recommended to pair it with a move that returns you to the original position via a nose press.
Pay close attention to the motion of twisting your upper body while lifting and rotating the board, as well as the angle when you’re sideways.
If you think of it with the premise that you’ll be bringing the board back, it should be easier to grasp how to bend and angle your pivot foot.
Pivot frontside spin 180
It’s a technique where you keep the board’s front side—the nose—on the snow and rotate the board 180 degrees to change your body’s facing direction.
By applying a brake on the nose and using the law of inertia that makes your body want to continue moving forward, you rotate the tail.
The direction you lift the board is important: by applying force outward while braking, you generate rotational force on the tail.
Rather than twisting your body to flip around, focus on lifting the board with your feet and using your shoulders.
Find the board angle that makes it easiest to pivot.
frontside 180
It’s a technique where you jump and rotate the board 180 degrees to reverse your body’s facing direction.
The sequence is to crouch while closing both shoulders in the direction opposite to the rotation, then use an ollie while opening your shoulders to spin the board.
Imagine lifting your front foot and popping with your back foot to jump; pay attention to the board’s orientation and how you twist your body as you take off.
It’s crucial to stay balanced—what matters is the angle you move your body to and the timing of when you apply force.
frontside nose press
This is a trick where you face your back in the direction of travel and lift and move the board by using the nose as a pivot.
Key points include how you apply force to the pivot so it doesn’t catch as you move forward, and how you shift your weight when lifting the board.
As a preparatory motion, gradually load the pivot while turning your back toward the direction of travel, then twist your body the opposite way to lift the board and bring it back to its original position.
It’s also important to keep your shoulders positioned so the pivot doesn’t collapse, and to keep your eyes looking in the direction of travel so your power transfers properly.
Rewind
It’s a trick where you lift the nose, rotate so your back faces the direction of travel, then land while bringing the board back to its original position.
I recommend first practicing the motion of turning the board 90 degrees and returning it, then gradually adding the nose lift.
Think of twisting your upper body and matching the board to it, and focus on the speed of transferring power from your upper body to your lower body.
After that, just add the force to lift the nose and you’re set.
How you put pressure on your back foot and keeping your axis from collapsing—your angles—are also key points.
In conclusion
We’ve put together a comprehensive introduction to ground tricks, covering everything from the basic moves to beginner and intermediate-level tricks.
We’ve also included tutorial videos uploaded by various riders on YouTube, so take your time watching them and give the tricks a try on the slopes!