How to Properly Fall When Learning to Snowboard

When you are just learning to snowboard you will encounter quite a few bumps along the way. I don't give a hoot what anybody tells you, when you are just starting out on a board you are going to bail... multiple times. Just like in hockey when they teach you how to take a hit properly so as not to injure yourself, there are certain things you need to know to keep yourself from getting injured when you are learning to snowboard. The most common snowboard related injuries are breaking your wrist, hitting your head on the ground, and hurting your tailbone. So without further ado, read these tips to save your body from a trip to the ER.

1) Wear a helmet!

Now this one is just plain obvious and doesn't need much explaining. If you want to ensure that you keep your head intact, get yourself a brain bucket. My helmet is all dinged up with pitts and scratches but you know what? I have never had a trip to the hospital for a head injury because I always wear my helmet.

2) Falling Forward-

Ok so you got your helmet on, and you are going down the hill and you catch an edge and wind up face first in the snow. What is the first thing that you did on your way down? I'll bet you put your hands out to break your fall and its only natural to do that. But putting your hands out is a common mistake that newbies make when learning to snowboard that often results in sever wrist sprains and breaks. Try this next time-As you are falling make your hands into fists and put your forearms out to break your fall. Once your forearms make contact, the next point of impact should be your chest. Your forearms will have taken the brunt of the impact and your chest will know spread out the rest of the impact. I know it may sound painful but it really isn't.

Practice this on the hill by strapping into your board and facing up hill and kneeling down. From there just fall forward with your fists and forearms out in front of you. Do this about ten times to get a feel for how you should fall forward and once your are comfortable doing this it will become more instinct.

3) Falling Backwards

Falling backwards is a little trickier because you cant see what is behind you when you fall and you have to rely more on instinct when this happens. As a snowboarding beginner falling backwards can be unnerving especially when you catch an edge because it is very unexpected but do the following and save your tailbone.

-Tuck your chin in. As you fall just tuck in your chin, this way you stop your head from whipping back onto the snow and giving you a concussion and/or whip lash.

-Spread out your arms to the side. It seems counter intuitive but by doing this you will spread out the force of the impact across your whole back, shoulders and arms. Most people keep their arms tucked in, or reach down and end up hurting their tailbones and wrists. If you commit to the fall and brace the impact this way you greatly reduce your risk for injury.

Learning to Snowboard doesn't have to be a painful experience. If you have the proper training and a good set of lessons to follow then you will greatly reduce your risk of injury and accelerate through the beginners phase of snowboarding much faster. For more easy snowboarding tips visit http://www.squidoo.com/snowboardingforbeginners and learn more about getting lessons that you can take with you on the hill.

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