There’s a bit of debate around what the best snowboard binding angles for beginners are.
In this article I will:
- show all of the beginner binding angle setup options
- outline why each is advocated
- give my opinion as to which I believe is the best way to start out
What Are Binding Angles?
Let’s start out by defining binding angles in case you’re not sure what we’re talking about here.
Your bindings attach to your board at certain angles – they’re never both just perpendicular to the board. What angle you choose to put your bindings on will often depend on:
- The style of riding you do
- Your ability level; and
- What feels good to you (most importantly)
Bindings can be adjusted in 3 degree movements.
Beginner binding angle options
O.k. so there are 2 schools of thought on beginner binding angles.
Beginner Binding Angles School of Thought 1
Some people think that you should start out riding with a duck stance.
A duck stance essentially means that you front foot is on a positive angle and your back foot is on a negative angle.
A mirrored duck stance is when your back foot is the same angle (but negative i.e. mirrored) as your front foot. The example below is +15/-15 degrees.
The reason why the duck stance is advocated as a good beginner stance is that it means that you can ride in both directions as easy as the other.
There are two reasons for the theory.
- If you aren’t sure whether you are goofy or regular then you can ride both ways for a while and see which is more comfortable
- When you are starting out it is easier to “snowflake” down the mountain and this is easier to do if you are in a duck stance. “Snowflaking means that you stay on your heel edge the whole time.
Related: How to Tell if You are Regular or Goofy
Beginner Binding Angles School of Thought 2
The second school of thought thinks that you should start out riding with some kind of forward stance.
A forward stance is essentially any stance that has a positive angle on both feet. For example +18/+3 (see diagram below).
Note: All of the stances in this post use the left binding as the front binding. If you ride goofy this will look the opposite.
The reason for this is that:
- It sets you up to ride in one direction easier
- It makes it easier to start performing your first proper turns (transitioning from heel edge to toe edge)
But you shouldn’t be in too “aggressive” a forward stance. Something like a +21/+9 is not going to make it easy for a beginner.
One of the most recommended stances is the +15/+0 stance (see diagram below).
What I think is the Best Way to Start Out
I lean more towards the second school of thought here. This is for a couple of reasons.
- You can easily figure out if you are regular or goofy by performing some simple tests
- If you are set up in a way where it is easy to snowflake then you are prone to stay with that and you want to be linking turns as early on as possible. Snowflaking is ok for a very brief time while you are still getting a feel but you should progress past this quickly
However, I do think it’s important that you aren’t in too much of an aggressive forward stance.
By aggressive I mean having both feet on a large positive angle.
My Recommended Stances
So I would recommend something like the +15/+0 mentioned above or something close to that. It’s also really important to find something that feels comfortable for you.
The following are all good options in my opinion depending on what feels best for you. The only rules I would go by are:
- Don’ use a mirrored duck stance; and
- Don’t use a forward stance that is too aggressive
Slight Forward +15/+0
Slight Forward +15/+3
Slight Forward +12/+0
Slight Duck +15/-3
Slight Duck +12/-3
Slight Duck +15/-6
Verdict – The Best Stance for a Beginner?
You’ll notice above that none of the angles are too extreme. This is to make for a mellower ride for the beginner.
These are by no means the only options but if it was up to me I’d recommend starting with no more than +15 degrees on the front foot and no more than -6 degrees on the back (and no more than +3 on the back foot).
The most commonly recommended beginner stance is +15/+0 so this might be a good place to start and experiment from there.
There are however plenty of people who think that a duck stance of some sort is the way to start out and a lot of hire shops will set up their boards with a slight duck stance. It varies from hire shop to hire shop but I usually see hire shops using +15/-9 or +15/-6 or +12/-9 or something like that.
What Next?
Finding the best stance for you is a matter of doing a bit of experimenting. What feels best for you will be slightly different to what feels best for others so I do encourage you to experiment with this.
Start out with a +15/+0 or a +12/+0 and then try some others that are close to that. Remember that if you are a beginner nothing is going to feel completely comfortable yet.
Thanks for reading and I hope this post has helped you to find a starting point for your binding angles.
Related: The top 10 beginner snowboard bindings (Men’s & Women’s)
hey Nate,
I just started snowboarding and i just recently got my own board. My bindings are set to 0/0 and i’m a goofy rider. Ive been having issues with my back foot as my ankle seems to be sore which is odd because my front foot is not. I’m also having trouble when it comes to peddling. When I go down the slopes i’m a goofy but for skateboarding and scooter i typically push with my right foot. Not sure what to do as peddling is hard yet i’m not comfortable riding regular.
Hi Taylor
Thanks for your message.
Having a zero degree front binding isn’t very common, so I’m surprised you’re only having issues with your back foot with that setup. Did someone suggest 0/0 for you or did you just feel most comfortable with that?
Hard to say what your back foot would prefer, so I would experiment. Firstly, I would try going to a +15/-15 and see how that feels for your front and back foot.
If that doesn’t feel good, then you could try something like a +18/+6 – to see if that back foot actually wants to be rotated forward.
In any case I would try to have some angle on that front foot, unless it feels really bad to have that.
In terms of when you’re skating (peddling) you might find that having some binding angle on your front foot helps a little, but it’s not likely to be the only thing. It might just be a case of getting more practice in.
Another thing to try, if you haven’t already, is skating with your foot on the opposite side of the board that you do it with now. Some people prefer to skate with their foot pushing off on the inside of the board and some pushing off with their foot on the outside of the board. If you notice other riders you’ll see some doing it one way, some doing it the other. I personally way prefer having my foot on the inside (as in the board is in front of my pushing foot) than the outside (where the board is behind the pushing foot) but I see plenty of people doing it the other way – so if you haven’t already, I would try both to see which works better for you.
Hope this helps
Hi,
Super article ! It helps me a lot.
I just begin to snowboard and I think i’m goofy because I have done some skateboard and my right foot was in front. I tried all the tests you provided on your other article and it seems that I’m goofy. But for my first riding i have the impression i’m more comfortable in regular stance.. So i don’t know what stance i have to ride. Besides at the shop they put my binding in duck stance mirror (+15/-15) so i made a lot of snowflake.
At some point i want to switch and ride freestyle but as a beginner what’s the best for me ? I’m keeping binding angles that way or is it better to put slight forward (+15/0) ? Knowing that i’m not sure about my stance..
Thanks for your response i hope i was clear in my explanation !
Yahya
Hi Yahya
Thanks for your message.
Interesting that everything seemed to point to goofy and then when you started riding you felt more comfortable in regular.
I would set up in a +15/0 or similar in regular stance and confirm that you feel most comfortable riding regular. If you do find that you feel good riding regular, then I would get to a point where you can ride on your heel edge and toe edge and link between them relatively confidently, before changing angles.
If you want to ride switch from an early stage, you could shift into a mirror duck stance once you are confident linking turns. And start practicing linking turns in your switch stance.
Hope this helps
Yes it’s a bit weird. but thanks for the infos ! It definitely helps me, i will try this configuration and see after that.
Thanks for the advices !
Hi Nate,
Does your recommendation apply to little kids too? Thanks.
Hi Bin
Thanks for your message.
This is more just with adults in mind. I’m don’t claim to know much about how to adjust things for kids. My instinct says to start them out in a duck stance (e.g. +15/-15, +12/-12) or something like that – so they can get comfortable riding switch from the start. But I don’t know how anatomy’s of kid’s might affect what the best angles might be. e.g. maybe less of an angle (like +9/-9) is better? Maybe it’s better in a physical sense to have them in a more forward stance. I’m really not sure. Sorry I couldn’t be more help.
Hi Nate,
I’ve been reading multiple articles and this is by far the best. Thank you! I hope you can help me with my current set up.
This is my 3rd season snowboarding but I still consider myself a beginner. I don’t do park and I can’t ride switch. I enjoy just going down the mountain and sometimes through the trees as well.
I have a K2 bright light board. It’s directional and I’m goofy. My current set up is +12, 0. But my back knee really hurts. I was thinking of changing it up to maybe +15, +3 ? When I stand up normally, me knees tend to cave in a little bit so a duck stance is a bit awkward for my knees as well.
What do you think?
Hi Maria
Thanks for your message.
I would try that +15/+3 for sure. Definitely worth experimenting with angles to see what you feel most comfortable with. Maybe even try just standing in roughly that stance and try bending your knees and straightening a few times, to see what feels better on your knees. Then try a duck stance and do the same and see how that feels. If you find one or the other feels better on your knees, try that on the board and see how you get on.
Hope this helps
Hi Nate,
Hope you can help me too. 🙂
I bought myself a new snowboard the other day, a Burton Talent Scout. I got to try it for the first time today and am so happy with it, it feels like that this board can really bring me to the next level. 🙂
The only thing is that I immediately felt that this board requires other binding angles than what I was always used to (21/12) and how I had set it up at first. It’s a twin camber and I’ve read that they always recommend an even duck stance for twin boards.
What shall I do? I’ve heard that riding duck demands you to alter your technique and boarding more sideways? Am not even sure what that exactly means..
I actually hat the feeling that I wanted my front foot in an even more + position, so I was thinking just to try 24/0 or otherwise “cold turkey” 15/-15. What is your opinion on this?
By the way, I bought this board to use as an all mountain board with good carving characteristics (flex of 8), although it’s actually meant to be a freestyle board.
Thanks a lot in advance, would really appreciate your help 🙂
Hi Anne
Thanks for your message.
The Talent Scout is a twin and good for freestyle riding, but it’s what I would describe an all-mountain-freestyle board, and is a good option for carving, as well as freestyle aspects.
In terms of binding angles, it’s not necessarily the case that you have to ride an even duck stance on a twin, but a lot of people like to, if they’re going to be riding switch a lot. However, the Talent Scout is an “asym” board or what Burton Call “Off-axis”, so has a specific heel side and toe side. And is designed to be ridden with a +15/-15 stance. That said, it’s not absolutely necessary, but that’s where it’s optimal.
What I would do is try it out at +15/-15 and see how you like it. Give it a full day/session and see if you think can get along with it. If not, then I would experiment with 24/0 and see what you think. Always a good idea to experiment, IMO. If 24/0 or going back to 21/12 feels best for you on the board, despite how the tech is designed, then I would go with what feels the best for you.
Hope this helps
Hi Nate,
I would appreciate your advise on setting up my bindings. I decide to start wiht +15° and 0°, but I have an issue when I try to center the binding on the board.
I followed “Snowboarding profiles” suggestions for setting up my (beginner) gear, I have Burton Instigator 155 + Burton Moto + Burton Custom. Very happy with it.
I made a mistake an instead of buying the EST Bindings, I bought the Reflex, and I cannot find a position to center the boot exactly in the middle of the board. The best I could is to have the tip of the boots 19 millimeters off the the board, and the back of the boot, 22 millimeters.
How does it look?
Thanks,
Marcelo.-
Hi Marcelo
Thanks for your message and I’m glad you’re happy with your setup.
With the toe 19mm and the heel 22mm there’s not too much difference in overhang there. 3mm of difference is absolutely fine – that’s pretty close to being centered. And having the heel overhanging more is a good idea as well (if you can’t get it centered) – so I think your setup well in that position. And you’ve got a good amount of overhang there too (not too much and not too little) – so I would leave it how you’ve got it.
Hope this helps
i ride +15,0 and i didnt feel any pain after snowboarding. but when i changed to +15,-6 my knee(-6) started to hurt and the pain lasts for a week. I feel the pain when standing up grom sitting position. any thoights on this? thank you!
Hi Katie
Thanks for your message.
Everyone is different and perhaps your back knee just doesn’t like that negative angle. Some people find that their knees don’t like being on a straight angle (0 degrees) and others find that being on too much of an angle is a problem. If your knee doesn’t like -6, then I think you should change back to that 0 degree angle . If you find that you still don’t get pain from that 0 degree angle, then I would stick with that.
Hey Sammie,
Great article! Its well-written and helpful. What are your thoughts? love the mountain and I’ve boarded 2-3 times in the last few years. I ride regular with a major pronation outward (duck style) on the back foot. Based on your article, I’m thinking +15/-15 or +18/-15. I’m comfortable with the C turns, and get tripped up on the S turns. I want to go faster, but as soon as I start speeding up, I catch an edge and I’m in the snow. Thanks again, Lenny
Hi Lenny
I think if you like a duck stance, then +15/-15 is a good way to go. But like I always say, it’s always good to experiment to find what you like the most. In terms of improving those S turns and improving speed, I think that working on your technique is the most important thing. Finding your most comfortable binding angles will help too though.
Nate
Hello Nate
I went to my shop for service, when they check my binding set up. They were like wow +18 in the front are too agressive! What do they mean by that? They didn’t comment anything for my rear binding with is set at -9. Thank you for any advise.
Hi Sammie
Thanks for your message.
+18 is a more aggressive front binding angle – but to say too aggressive is being presumptive on your riding style. If you are a more playful rider who likes to ride in the park or just cruise or ride casually, then maybe it is too aggressive. But if you like to ride aggressively and you like to ride fast, then it is suitable for your style. Some people take that out to +21 and racers often even go more like +24.
I often ride with a +18 on my front binding – depending on the board I am riding. Some boards I wouldn’t ride with a +18. Maybe they were commenting in respect to your board – what board do you have? And what is your style of riding?
Thank you very much for your useful infonation. I am more of an all mountain freestyles person. I do flat tricks and side hits. I mainly use my Yes Greats and Westmark rocker. Both are set as +18 front and -9rear. Should I just go back to +15 front and-12 rear instead? Any suggestions I can try?
Hi Sammie
For your style and boards it might be a good idea to try something with a +15 – a +15/-12 would be a good starting point. I always recommend that people experiment a bit with binding angles because one person’s sweet spot is often different to the next persons.
It might be the case that you prefer the +18/-9, in which case go with it – but give your style and boards I think it’s worth trying something with a +15 at the front to see if you prefer it.
I currently ride most freestyle or all-mountain freestyle boards with a +15/-15 or +15/-12. But you might be different. If you like the +15/-12, you could then try something like a +15/-6 and see if you like that better. If you prefer the +15/-12 you can always switch back again. If you can do a bit of experimenting and find that sweet spot – then you don’t have to worry about it again, once you know what you like most
Thank you, Nate for all your advise! This is very helpful information you are providing!
You’re very welcome Sammie. Hope you find your sweet spot and have an awesome rest of your season!
hi ive not figured out if im regular or goofy is the leg you kick a football would that be front foot or back
can yuo give me some advice pls
Hi Malkie
Typically speaking you would be regular if you kick a football with your right foot. However, this is definitely not always the case. I am a case in point. I kick with my right foot and I’m right handed – but I ride goofy. There are a few techniques you can use to determine whether you are regular or goofy and I’ve actually written a post dedicated to this subject. You can check it out at the link below.
~ How to Tell If You Should Snowboard Goofy Or Regular
Hope this helps
Nate,
What’s your opinion on +18 front, -12 rear? I want to maintain some directional feel on the 2016 Brainstorm, but I also want to get accustomed to a duck stance of some sort for learning to ride switch.
Thanks,
John
Hey John
Yeah give that a go and see how it feels for you. I haven’t tried +18/-12 but I know people who ride that and even +24/-12 so it’s definitely worth trying.
Thanks. This might seem like an ignorant question, but do you mind explaining how to ascertain whether the binding angles need to change? I ask because although I’m still new to the sport, I’ve ridden a few different angle setups thus far, and I have no idea what to change based on what I feel. Does that make any sense?
For example, if I start with +18 -12 on the Brainstorm and my legs get tired too quickly, do I need to change the binding angles, stance width, or both? Is there any set of guidelines that help you determine WHAT to change when something doesn’t feel right, or is it all experimentation?
Thanks again for all your help for this beginner. : )
Hey John
Definitely not an ignorant question – no such thing in my book.
In my own experience it’s all been experimentation. I imagine there are theories as to what to what to change if, for example, your are fatiguing. This isn’t something I have looked into. But now that you mention it it’s something that I’m interested in learning/experimenting with.
All I’ve done with mine is to find what I think should be close to the style of riding I want to do and then tweak it from there. I like to pick a set of angles that would be good. For example if your a beginner I would say to start with +15/+0 and once you’ve been riding for a while then try adjusting just one leg. So you might try +15/-6. If you prefer the feel of the old +15/+0 then I’d try changing to +15/+3 for example. If you preferred the +15/-6 then try something like +15/-9. Once you’ve found what you like on one foot then try the adjusting the other. Obviously this could be quite a lengthy task – or you could find your sweet spot quickly.
But you’re probably right that there is probably a way to go depending on how it feels and I’ll definitely research that some more. I’d say it also somewhat comes down to what you’re used to as well.