Skateboarding, one of the most exciting and dynamic extreme sports, is enjoyed by millions around the world. When you watch skaters perform tricks or cruise down streets, you may notice that some skate with their left foot leading, while others lead with their right. This difference in foot placement is known as the rider’s stance, and one of the most common stances in skateboarding is the goofy stance.
In this article, we will dive into what the goofy stance is, how to determine if it’s your natural stance, and how it affects your skateboarding performance. We will also compare it to other stances and discuss how skaters can adjust their stance for different riding styles and tricks.
Understanding The Basics of Skateboarding Stances
Before diving into the specifics of the goofy stance, it’s important to understand the basic concept of skateboard stances. In skateboarding, there are two primary stances: regular and goofy.
Regular Stance: This is the more common stance, where the rider leads with their left foot. The rider’s left foot is positioned at the front of the board, while the right foot is placed at the back to push and control the board.
Goofy Stance: The goofy stance, on the other hand, is when the rider’s right foot leads. In this stance, the right foot is placed at the front of the board, and the left foot is used to push and maneuver the skateboard.
While these are the two basic stances, riders may also have different variations depending on their preferences, comfort, and style.
What Does “Goofy” Mean in Skateboarding?
The term “goofy” in skateboarding refers specifically to the stance of a skater whose right foot leads the skateboard while riding. It is not a term meant to suggest that the rider is unskilled or odd. Instead, it’s simply a reference to the rider’s natural, dominant foot placement.
The goofy stance is the opposite of the regular stance, where the left foot is used to lead the board. Just like handedness (being left-handed or right-handed), your stance is typically determined by which foot feels more comfortable at the front of the board.
How to Determine if You Have a Goofy Stance
Determining your stance may seem confusing at first, but it’s a simple process. There are a few methods to figure out which foot feels more natural at the front of your skateboard. Here are the most common techniques to find out:
1. The Push Test
One of the easiest ways to determine your natural stance is by observing which foot you use when you push a skateboard. Stand in front of the board and give it a small push. The foot that you naturally use to give the skateboard that initial push will usually be your back foot, while your front foot stays on the board.
If you use your left foot to push, you likely have a regular stance.
If you use your right foot to push, you likely have a goofy stance.
2. The Slide Test
Another method involves a simple sliding test. Stand on a smooth surface, such as tile or wood flooring, and slide around. The foot you naturally put forward to balance yourself is most likely your lead foot.
If your right foot is in front when you slide, you’re probably a goofy rider.
If your left foot leads, then you’re likely regular.
3. The Staircase Test
Imagine walking up a staircase. Typically, you would lead with your dominant foot. For most people, this is the foot that feels more natural to put first. If you lead with your right foot, that’s a sign you may have a goofy stance.
4. The Kick the Ball Test
Another simple test is to kick a ball. If you naturally kick with your right foot, it’s a strong indication that you have a goofy stance.
These tests help to reveal your natural foot preference. However, skateboarding is a unique sport, and there’s no hard rule about which stance is “better” — it’s all about personal comfort and style.
How the Goofy Stance Affects Your Skateboarding
Once you’ve determined that you are a goofy skater, it’s important to understand how this influences your riding style. The goofy stance will affect various aspects of your skating, from how you perform tricks to how you navigate obstacles.
1. Turning and Balance
In the goofy stance, your right foot is in the front, which means your dominant foot is at the back. This affects how you turn, balance, and shift your weight. Skaters with a goofy stance tend to feel more comfortable leaning to their left side because the left foot (being the back foot) is stronger and more dominant in turning and control.
On ramps, bowls, or halfpipes, goofy riders tend to favor turning in a clockwise direction. This is the opposite for regular riders, who typically find counterclockwise turns to be more comfortable.
2. Trick Performance
When it comes to performing tricks, a goofy stance plays a role in how a skater approaches maneuvers. For example:
Ollies and Kickflips: A goofy skater would push off the tail of the board with their left foot (the back foot) to initiate the ollie or kickflip. They would then use their right foot to help flip the board.
Grinds and Slides: Grinds and slides may feel different based on your stance. Goofy skaters may feel more comfortable hitting certain ledges and rails from a different angle than regular skaters. This can affect how they approach obstacles, and some may prefer certain grinds like the Smith grind or Feeble grind, where the rider’s stance provides an advantage.
3. Transitions and Ramps
Goofy riders often find riding ramps and transitions easier when they turn in a clockwise motion. On a halfpipe or bowl, this means they’ll typically start their tricks from the left side (for a right-footed skater). Riders who have a regular stance might feel more comfortable turning counterclockwise and starting their tricks from the right side of the bowl.
In general, goofy riders will also have a different feel when performing aerial tricks, because their stance determines how they pop, twist, and land.
Goofy vs. Regular Stance: Key Differences
Understanding the difference between goofy and regular stances is important for skaters to know how to best approach their riding style. The main differences between the two stances are:
Foot Placement: Regular skaters use their left foot to lead, while goofy skaters use their right foot.
Turning Direction: Goofy skaters tend to turn clockwise, while regular skaters turn counterclockwise.
Trick Approaches: Goofy riders will initiate most tricks with their left foot on the tail, while regular skaters will initiate with their right foot.
In skateboarding competitions, these stances are treated equally — there’s no advantage to being a regular or goofy skater. It’s all about comfort and style.
Can You Switch Between Goofy And Regular?
Some skaters prefer to ride with a regular stance, while others are naturally goofy riders. However, there are some who can switch between both stances, which is called “fakie” or “switch” skating. While it’s rare, some highly skilled skateboarders can do tricks and ride in both regular and goofy positions, giving them a unique edge in competitions.
Switch riding involves switching your foot placement during a trick or ride, and while it can be challenging, it’s a useful skill to develop for advanced skaters.
Conclusion
The goofy stance is a fundamental aspect of skateboarding, and while it may feel more natural for some riders, others may find it more challenging. Understanding your natural stance and how it influences your performance on the board is key to mastering the sport. Whether you’re pushing, turning, or performing tricks, your stance affects everything from balance to how you approach obstacles.
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