As you are going into the jump or cliff, square your body with bent knees and prepare to pop off the lip.
Pop as soon as your binding toe pieces are about five inches from the lip of the take off. Timing is important. If you pop too soon you may not make the landing. Pop too late and the lip will send you off balance.
Explode upward evenly off both feet, keeping your balance centered. Think of a diving board with no spring. Do you just want to fall into your landing or launch as far as you can go? Keep your hands slightly in front of your body (not behind you or to the side). Try to bring your knees toward your hands.
If you pop off one foot more than the other, or lean back or forward too much, it will cause an imbalanced landing (you’ll faceplant or backslap). As soon as you leave the ground, your body shouldn’t change from its square position—shoulder and hips facing forward, arms out in front.
Popping immediately gives you control of your body positioning in the air. If you are out of control, you will land out of control.
With top three finishes at Crystal Mountain, Stevens Pass, and Grand Targhee, look for Andrew on the podium this year for the U.S Freeskiing Junior events.
