Snowboarding discipline
Slopestyle
Slopestyle is a freestyle snowboarding discipline in which riders descend a course of jumps and rails, performing tricks on features of their choice.
Overview
A slopestyle course is a downhill run set with a sequence of features, including jumps, often called kickers, and jib obstacles such as rails and boxes.
Riders choose their own line through the course and perform tricks on each feature, aiming for a smooth, connected run from top to bottom.
Judging typically considers difficulty, execution, amplitude, variety, and the overall flow and composition of the run.
What defines it
- Courses blend jump sections with jib features such as rails, boxes, and other obstacles.
- Riders select their own line, so creativity and route choice are part of the discipline.
- A run is judged as a whole, rewarding both hard tricks and clean, flowing execution.
- Variety across different feature types is generally valued over repeating the same trick.
Getting started
- 1Build confidence linking turns and riding small terrain-park features before combining them.
- 2Many riders start on beginner boxes and small jumps to learn balance on features.
- 3A qualified instructor or coach can introduce park fundamentals in a structured setting.
Other Snowboarding disciplines
The forms of Snowboarding sit alongside each other — explore the rest.
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Sports
- SnowboardingA downhill snow sport where you ride a single board sideways down the mountain.
- VolleyballA non-contact team sport of rallies, jumps and teamwork — indoors or on the beach.
- Trail RunningRunning off-road on trails, hills and natural terrain, away from pavements and traffic.
- Race WalkingA technique-driven endurance sport that turns walking into a fast, low-impact discipline.
- SkateboardingA creative board sport of rolling, balancing and learning tricks on streets, paths and skateparks.
Playing surfaces
- SnowCompacted or natural snow on slopes and trails — a low-friction surface built for gliding, where skis, boards and runners slide fast over frozen ground.
- TrailNatural off-road terrain of dirt, rock, roots, grass and mud that varies constantly and rewards surefootedness in trail running, mountain biking and hiking.
Exercises
- Jump squatAn explosive squat variation where you spring off the floor at the top of the movement.
- BurpeeA full-body exercise combining a squat, a plank, and a jump in one flowing movement.
- Jump ropeA cardio exercise where you swing a rope under your feet and jump over it in a steady rhythm.
- Jumping jackA rhythmic cardio move where you jump the feet out and swing the arms overhead, then back in.
Rules
- Lane disciplineThe rule that competitors must stay within their assigned lane in lane-based races.
- Volleyball rotationThe rule that players rotate one position clockwise each time their team wins back the serve.
- Penalty kick awardA one-on-one kick against the goalkeeper awarded when a defending player commits a direct-free-kick foul inside their own penalty area.
Techniques
- Flip TurnA fast turn in freestyle where the swimmer somersaults at the wall, pushes off on their back and rotates to continue swimming.
- Freestyle StrokeThe fastest swimming stroke, using alternating overhead arm pulls, a flutter kick and rhythmic side breathing.
- Jump ShotA basketball shot released at the top of a vertical jump, letting the shooter get the ball over a defender with a soft, arcing release.
- Volleyball SpikeA powerful attacking hit that drives the ball sharply downward over the net into the opponent's court, usually after an approach and jump.
Decision making
- Shot selectionChoosing which shot to play from the options available — weighing the situation, the risk and what you are trying to achieve.
- Decision speedHow quickly a choice is made — the tempo of deciding, and how it trades off against getting the choice right.
- Pass selectionChoosing which pass to play, and to whom, from the options a moment offers — weighing space, risk and what the team is trying to do.
Snowboarding