Stance affecting ability to Coleman slide/speed check?

**GabeB** · 08-27-2009 12:36 PM

Before I get to the topic, I just wanna say thanks. I started longboarding at the beginning of this month and have learned to carve, pump, foot brake and slide (kinda) from the articles in this forum (and YouTube).

Okay. So.. I'm right-handed and right-footed.. but I ride goofy.

Now, I can slide when I get down and grab/pull up on the middle of the board.. but I'm having a bit of trouble sliding with my free hand in the air (Coleman).

I'm wondering if it's due to the fact that my right (dominant/stronger) leg/foot is in front.. forcing me to have to kick out with my non-dominant leg/foot.

I also wonder if it'll affect learning speed checks.

Just a couple thoughts, I'll keep practicing.

Any other right-handed/footed goofy riders have any thoughts/suggestions?

Thanks y'all, loving the forum.

- Gabe

Loaded Dervish
Randall 180's
Bones Reds
Orangatang Stimulus

**Blix** · 08-27-2009 01:23 PM

No, I don't think your stance is the issue at all, you just need more practice...

**Bookworm** · 08-27-2009 02:10 PM

I side with blix. you just gotta keep doing it.

**enemy combatant** · 08-27-2009 02:32 PM

As an old geezer trying to learn new (to me) slides, my joints just sometimes simply can't get into the "correct" folded position for the "proper" way to execute something. I'm have the general build of a lineman instead of a wide receiver. Rather than sweat it and worry about what other folks think about my lack of steez on any particular move and risking permanent tendon damage trying to stretch them into the supposedly right position I just remember what an my old Marine Corps rifle instructor told us about proper "by the book stance" for different firing positions.

If "by the book" is not working for you then try something comfortable that is. It is the end result that is important. I ended up shooting expert by not trying to contort my body into the exactly correct sitting position.

If you can rip grabbing rail, pushing mongo, or holding stinkbug then do it. Do what works for you. And if anyone gives you insulting foul-word sh*t about it I've always thought the best policy was smashing them in their mutha****in' smart-azz mouth.

**MacRae** · 08-27-2009 07:49 PM

What happens when you try to slide with one hand in the air? Do you fall, or do you have trouble getting back onto the board, or are you not able to slide, or is it something else entirely?

Personally, I wasn't able to do anything one-handed until I learned how much I needed to carve going into the slide and how far off the board I needed to lean. I kept falling off and landing on my butt because I was pushing too far out and couldn't get my weight back up onto the board at the end.

**AFTT** · 08-27-2009 08:00 PM

Do you know anyone that can do a coleman?

Having someone teach you first hand is a great way to learn.

It took me a week on my own. I taught my friend in a day.

**8ftbed** · 08-28-2009 10:03 AM

Originally Posted by enemy combatant

As an old geezer trying to learn new (to me) slides, my joints just sometimes simply can't get into the "correct" folded position for the "proper" way to execute something. I'm have the general build of a lineman instead of a wide receiver. Rather than sweat it and worry about what other folks think about my lack of steez on any particular move and risking permanent tendon damage trying to stretch them into the supposedly right position I just remember what an my old Marine Corps rifle instructor told us about proper "by the book stance" for different firing positions.

If "by the book" is not working for you then try something comfortable that is. It is the end result that is important. I ended up shooting expert by not trying to contort my body into the exactly correct sitting position.

If you can rip grabbing rail, pushing mongo, or holding stinkbug then do it. Do what works for you. And if anyone gives you insulting foul-word sh*t about it I've always thought the best policy was smashing them in their mutha****in' smart-azz mouth.

can't rep ya but QFMFT!

Same here... folding up like Gumby to emulate the slides I so enjoy watching, well I'm starting to come to the realization that it's not going to happen for me. I'll just have to find a bastardized version of something that works for me and then I too can flat spot some wheels.

good stuff EC... from start to end

**Green802** · 09-01-2009 10:31 AM

I'm with Enemy on this. Find your own style. If it works great!

I too am getting a bit stiff joint wise and cant do the correct low stance. However I have been through this dilema and now emerging out the other side.

Stink buggin is good for starters. Sod what they all say. You get the feel of the slide and dont end on yer @r$e. Buy crash pants they will literaly save your a$$.

Once you can stinkbug, on reliable tarmac and know what speed you need. Try buggin looking along your slide arm shoulder. Once you realise you dont need to see the board BUT feel it through your feet try the extended free arm out.

Remember as a kid you used to do the "Aeroplane" arms out both sides banking and turning in the school yard ?
Go crouched into the turn like that (yup you'll feel silly some what) and just grind your "wing" into the tarmac with the other straight out. It'll eventually come and you can adapt the aeroplane to look less silly.

My 2 outta 3 Colemans now result in me still on the board the other in contact with the board weight on slide hand.

As said, keep at it. Confidence and regular attempts will help.

Green802

**endzone_bob** · 09-01-2009 12:49 PM

Originally Posted by enemy combatant

Another quality post from EC

Preach!

"You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to enemy combatant again."

**8ftbed** · 09-01-2009 01:56 PM

because it's good and I wouldn't anyone to miss this !

v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v

Originally Posted by Green802

I'm with Enemy on this. Find your own style. If it works great!

I too am getting a bit stiff joint wise and cant do the correct low stance. However I have been through this dilema and now emerging out the other side.

Stink buggin is good for starters. Sod what they all say. You get the feel of the slide and dont end on yer @r. Buy crash pants they will literaly save your a$$.

Once you can stinkbug, on reliable tarmac and know what speed you need. Try buggin looking along your slide arm shoulder. Once you realise you dont need to see the board BUT feel it through your feet try the extended free arm out.

Remember as a kid you used to do the "Aeroplane" arms out both sides banking and turning in the school yard ?
Go crouched into the turn like that (yup you'll feel silly some what) and just grind your "wing" into the tarmac with the other straight out. It'll eventually come and you can adapt the aeroplane to look less silly.

My 2 outta 3 Colemans now result in me still on the board the other in contact with the board weight on slide hand.

As said, keep at it. Confidence and regular attempts will help.

Green802

**iliya** · 09-01-2009 02:45 PM

I'm right handed/footed and goofy. Also been working on Coleman slides, more specifically pendys and not just a Coleman slide to a stop.
Agree with all the sage wisdom proffered in the thread, but what really helps me is the following:

agressive setup carve into the slide
getting as low of a stance as I can before I put my right hand down(comfortably...I cant get my rear foot to lay flat)
"punching the parrot"...get that left hand high in the sky
looking where you want to go, i.e. down the hill
going fast

And your stance won't affect check slides at all. Practice makes perfect.

Hope this helps.

**8ftbed** · 09-01-2009 03:23 PM

yes ^ ^ it does. Are you tall or body mechanics just doesn't let you get that flat foot crouch? I keep testing the pose statically in the grass hoping more weight loss and strengthening of knees and quads from skating will let it happen. Not yet

Maybe in 10 more lbs when I hit the 50 mark I'll get some Gumby going.

**iliya** · 09-02-2009 11:07 AM

Originally Posted by 8ftbed

yes ^ ^ it does. Are you tall or body mechanics just doesn't let you get that flat foot crouch? I keep testing the pose statically in the grass hoping more weight loss and strengthening of knees and quads from skating will let it happen. Not yet

Maybe in 10 more lbs when I hit the 50 mark I'll get some Gumby going.

I'm not tall (5'9"), but for some reason I just can't get that rear foot flat. It's almost flat, but there's still a couple inches of daylight between my shoe and the deck. Hurts my ankle if I try to force it flat.
It's all good though. I can manage to get pretty damn low even without the rear foot totally flat.

**8ftbed** · 09-02-2009 11:23 AM

My knees do not appreciate the sideways torgue

**GabeB** · 09-04-2009 04:06 PM

Thank you everyone for the replies!

Since posting this, I have learned to both Coleman and speed check!

It was really just a matter of practicing my form.. no amount of reading/watching YouTube videos replaced good ol' repetition and determination.

- Gabe

Oh, and Enemy Combatant.. truer words have never been spoken. Ever.

Dervish Flex 2
Randal 180's
Bones Swiss/Reds
Avila 3DM Blue & Otang Stimulus/InHeat

**lilyunsta** · 09-04-2009 04:32 PM

I have a similar problem with colemans and I sort of gave up because I couldn't do it after 3 sessions..my problem is that my board spins too fast when doing a 180 so my weight is imbalanced and I fall off/get thrown

**LiveLife** · 09-06-2009 01:46 AM

ya man its just practice because I am left footed and left handed but I ride regular stance and until you brought this up it had never crossed my mind that it might make a difference in my slides due to strength/dominance. so don't focus on the theory that you should ride the other way, do whats comfortable and feels right to you and shred it!

**Pmose16** · 09-07-2009 08:04 PM

Right dominant goofy is where it's at my friend.
But it took about 3 weeks to ween myself off the rail grab to get to the freehand.
And lilyunsta, try to get a little more wieght on your hand/ hands, get going a little faster, and focus on balancing your weight between your two feet till you find the sweet spot for controling speed/ direction of your slide.