A snowboard double cork is a complex and advanced maneuver performed by expert snowboarders. In this maneuver, a snowboarder rotates around both vertical and horizontal axis during the jump, performing spins along both axes in the air. For this reason, a snowboard double cork is considered an incredibly difficult move and takes a long time and rigorous training to master.
During a snowboard jump, a horizontal rotation of the player and the board is known as a spin. If the player rotates along the vertical axis, it is known as a flip. Double cork, as the name suggests, is a combination of both. Like a corkscrew which moves both vertically and horizontally, a double cork move requires a playing to perform both horizontal and vertical rotations. The higher the number of these rotations, the more complex is the move.
For this reason, there are many different kinds of double cork moves. A single spin is considered a 360-degree rotation. Same goes for a single flip. So for instance, if a snowboard performs two full flips and a full spin during the move, it will be a double cork 1080 (360 x 3). Add to it another half-rotation, usually a spin, and this adds another 180 degrees to the move, effectively making it a double cork 1260.
For this reason, a huge variety of double cork variations are in vogue among snowboarders, with some focusing on doing a front-spin double cork while offering doing it in a back-spin movement. Other snowboarders have further added many different variations to the double cork move.
How to do a snowboard double cork?
A double cork requires a mastery of the jump, the board, the movement of the board as well as the spin of the body among many other factors. So from the get-go, know that it is going to take some training and time to master. However, if you are genuinely committed and already adept at simple snowboard moves, you should be able to master it eventually. Following are some key steps towards mastering a double cork move.
1. Get a big enough jump
A double cork is a fairly complex move that requires significant time in the air. So the bigger your jump is, the more time you will have to executive the double cork move. Find a big enough jump and practice all the simpler moves that you already know on it. Familiarize yourself with the run-up and landing slopes, and get a fair idea of the amount of time you will have mid-air.
2. Use an airbag for training
Another important thing to consider is despite all the preparation and training, you will have to a double cork for the first time sooner or later. Failed attempts may cause you some injury or they may cause some serious injury. Some players tend to go all-in with their training and do not any extra safety measures.
Others practice their double cork on an air bag which is conveniently placed at the point where they would otherwise land. An airbag is useful because it allows you to calmly and effectively master at least all the mid-air movements of a double cork with any serious safety issues. You can extensively train on an airbag and once you are fully confident in all the mid-air movements involved in a double cork, you can go on to try it on an actual slope.
3. Use a variation that suits you
There are many variations of a double cork move, as mentioned above. Most notably, there are front-spin double corks and back-spin double corks. Use a variation that best suits your style. Test out different variations during your training on the air bag. Find one that you are most comfortable with, and start with it. You can later try your hands on more difficult variations as well but only once you’ve mastered a simpler variation that comes easy to you.
4. Commit to it
When you start the second cork movement mid-air as you start descending towards the landing slope, it may be scary. But know that once you’ve committed to a double cork, you must complete it. Changing your mind mid-air is not going to end well. So when you fully commit to a double cork, give it your all and follow it through.
5. Stay compact
The double cork trick requires significant mid-aid movement. So gain some serious momentum right when you jump and stay compact. This will help you execute all the spins and flips at a quick enough pace to land on the slope just in time.
6. Rely on your core strength when landing
In simple words, you will essentially executive one cork from the time you leave the ground and the time you reach your maximum elevation, and then you will executive another cork on the way down to the landing. You will just barely complete the movement before landing. So your landing will have a lot of momentum. You will have to rely on your core strength to keep your board steady and land it just right.
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Ryan grew up with snow, so he has an endless passion for skiing and snowboarding and everything around these.