Unique situation - Goofy/Straight Foot?

Question

I'm having difficulty determining the best stance. I've tried both. And depending on the test I have two different results.

First, my dominant foot is my right foot. For example, If I were running I'd put my right foot out first on a sprint. I would put my left foot out to balance myself out if someone were to push me from behind, or if I'm sliding.

My right leg, is slightly longer than my left leg (this oddity was discovered by my chiropractor - by about 1/2 - 3/4 of an inch).

I have trouble balancing when I go goofy, and I can't turn well on straight foot, although I can balance better. I feel my left leg can't dig in well enough, and my right foot has more power to do so but at the same time I loose balance more easily and fall.

Answer 1

Everybody has a natural preference, so find yours by imagining which way you would prefer to stand on a skateboard. Or stand with your feet together and get a friend to push you over – whichever foot comes out first is your front foot!

Answer 2

There is no certain "test" to find out if you are goofy or regular other than trying to ride, but your results seem to suggest you are regular.  Most of us have a very clear preference.  You have tried both and have different problems with both.  You say you feel more balanced when regular.  I think this is the best place to start.  It is really hard to make clear suggestions without watching you ride, but try to keep more weight over your front (left) foot when you start the turn and then equal weight on both feet to finish the turn.   Make your turns on easy terrain and very slowly to start.  When you are able to complete them without falling, you can start to sped things up a bit.

Answer 3

your regular. have someone push you and see which one yo use to catch your fall. this wll be your back foot. left foot forward is regular. the other foot forard it goofy. do both and you will be really good in the park.

Answer 4

Well, isn't it normal if one leg is longer than the other?  Your dominant one is usually more developed than the other one which you use less.  I may be off though...

Anyways, what do you mean by straight foot?  You mean regular stance?

To me, it sounds like you should be riding regular.  Try not being so aggressive with your turning yet.  The faster you go, the more aggressive you can be.  If you're going slow and turn hard, you're probably going to fall.  Lighten up on it.  As for if you were to try riding goofy, the only advice I can think of after reading this is to put a little more pressure on your back foot.

Answer 5

when you first start snowboarding it isn't unusual to feel odd on the snowboard going both goofy or straight. All i can really tell you is that you got to keep practicing and after a while one stance will naturaly feel more comfortable and you will be more able on that side. Also its good to be able to do both stances... some tricks require you to be able to do both goofy/straight stance.   Just dont stress to much over this...it will come naturally

(try going down a small 10 ft hill with only one foot straped in and set your other foot on the board inbetween the two bindings, try it on both sides .....this helped me when i first started)

Answer 6

well just go skateboard for a few minutes and see what one your more comfortable with

Answer 7

When you are first starting it is sometimes difficult to know which way you ride because you suck at both of them.  The way to figure it out it basically to keep learning and you will find yourself naturally riding one way more comfortably.