Learning the heelside predrift is a crucial step for any longboarder looking to improve their downhill skills. Also known as the frontside predrift, this technique allows you to control your speed while maintaining momentum and setting up for corners. This guide will provide you with a comprehensive breakdown of the heelside predrift, from the necessary prerequisites to step-by-step instructions.
Understanding the Heelside Predrift
A heelside predrift is a controlled, hands-down slide performed at an angle of less than 90 degrees to your direction of travel. This technique allows you to reduce speed while steering into a turn, making it invaluable for downhill riding and racing. The predrift allows you to maintain speed through corners and is essential for navigating technical downhill courses.
Prerequisites and Preparation
Before attempting the heelside predrift, you should have a solid grasp of basic longboard sliding techniques.
Essential Skills
You should be comfortable with both the toeside and heelside pendulum slides. These slides will provide you with the fundamental skills and confidence needed to progress to predrifts. If you’re not yet comfortable with these slides, consider reviewing guides focused on those first.
Body Positioning
Proper body positioning is essential for executing a successful heelside predrift. Let’s break down the key elements:
The Box Position
Start by getting into the box position—a comfortable, balanced squat on your board.
box position for heelside predrift
From this position, note the following:
- Hand Position: Your leading hand should be positioned ahead of your front foot, on the side of your board.
- Chest Position: Ideally, the middle of your chest should align with the top of your front knee. While this is a general guideline and personal preference can vary, this position will encourage you to weight your front foot, a critical part of the predrift.
- Chest and Hips Direction: Your shoulders and chest should be pointing towards the apex of the corner, or the direction you wish to slide.
- Rear Shin Angle: The angle of your rear shin is a key factor, as it directly influences the angle of your slide.
Hand Placement
Your hand placement is crucial to the predrift. Make sure your leading hand is placed ahead of your front trucks.
hand placement for heelside predrift
hand placement for heelside slide predrift
heelside slide hand position
If your hand is behind the trucks, your body will naturally rotate into a heelside pendulum slide.
Upper Body Isolation
The motion for this slide should come from your legs. Your upper body, including your shoulders, chest, and hips, should remain relatively still, pointing towards the direction you are going. This isolation is key to maintaining a smooth and controlled slide. A helpful tip is to look towards the apex of your turn; this will naturally help you to keep your upper body facing where you want to go.
Rear Leg Angle
The angle of your rear shin is determined by how much you extend your back leg. This extension is what pushes the board into the slide and controls its angle.
Foot Positioning
Your foot positioning should be similar to what you use in a heelside pendulum slide. Ensure your feet have full contact with the board. This gives you maximum control.
Weight Distribution
For the heelside predrift, the majority of your weight (60-70%) should be on your front leg, with the remaining weight (30-40%) on your back leg and your hand. It’s important to be planted on your front leg during the slide. Shifting your weight forward will help control your board.
Ideal Practice Location
It is best to learn this skill on a corner. The corner helps to visually define the direction you want to slide, making it easier to maintain the lower slide angle. It also simplifies the hook-up process as you can continue through the turn without needing to abruptly re-adjust your trajectory. Avoid practicing on straight roads when first learning this technique.
Step-by-Step Guide to Heelside Predrifts
There are two ways to initiate the slide, either by pushing out with the back leg, or by rotating your lower body. Pushing out the back leg is recommended for beginners, so this guide focuses on that method.
Step 0: Practice Hand Drag Carving
Before attempting the predrift, warm up with some hand drag carves. This will get you comfortable with the slide position while moving and will help you build confidence.
Step 1: Setup Carve
Begin by setting up for your slide with a setup carve. This carve brings your board to the edge of traction, making it easier to initiate the slide.
longboard setup carve
Step 2: Hand on the Ground
At the peak of your setup carve, transition into the box position and place your leading hand on the ground. Ensure you shift your weight correctly to maintain balance. How comfortable you are in this step will greatly impact your success in the following steps. This is also when you lock your upper body to face the direction you want to go.
setup carve for longboard sliding
Step 3: Kick Out
Now, forcefully but gently, extend your back leg. The key is to extend and push out with your back leg while focusing pressure on the heel of your front foot. This action will cause your board to break into the slide.
kick out for heelside predrift
It is important to keep your back foot slightly behind your front foot. Extending your back leg too far forward will cause you to slide at a 90-degree angle, which will not help you maintain control.
rear leg position for heelside predrift
heeslide predrift, how to push out with your legs
Step 4: Hold the Slide
Once you are in the slide, hold the position and allow the board to drift towards the apex of the corner. This allows you to control your speed.
Step 5: Hook Up
To hook back up, there are two main techniques. The first involves releasing the pressure on your back foot, allowing the wheels to naturally bring your board back into a straight line. The second method involves pulling your back leg back in while maintaining pressure on your front foot, which is more suitable for slidier wheels.
Focusing on technique two, pull your back leg in to bring your board back to a straight trajectory. As you do this, maintain pressure on the heel of your front foot.
Additional Tips
Practice
Mastering the heelside predrift takes time and patience. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t get it immediately. It’s best to practice consistently and pay attention to the small adjustments in your technique.
Flexibility
Flexibility plays a vital role in performing heelside slides. Make sure to stretch properly, especially your hips and knees.
Equipment
Your equipment can affect your ability to perform this slide. Things like grippy wheels, worn griptape or a poor setup can make this slide much more difficult. Make sure all of these are in good order before practicing.
Feet Placement
Ensuring your feet have full contact with your board will greatly improve your control. Your front foot should be as flat as possible and your back foot should have full contact with the board.
Conclusion
The heelside predrift is a valuable skill that requires patience and practice. By mastering this technique, you’ll be able to navigate downhill terrain with more confidence and control. Use the advice in this guide to help you progress and remember to take your time, practice consistently, and pay attention to the small details. With enough practice, you will be sliding like a pro!
