Goofy vs regular skateboard: tips to find your stance

You’ve probably heard of “regular” and “goofy” foot placements when it comes to board sports. But what do they mean? And which riding stance should you use?

In this article, we’ll take a look at the differences between regular and goofy foot placements and help you decide which skateboard stance is right for you. Goofy vs regular skateboard, read and learn

What are goofy and regular stances?

When it comes to goofy and regular skateboard stances, it can be pretty easy to understand which one is which. When your left foot is in the back it is called goofy stance and regular is when your right foot is in the back. It’s as easy as that!

Regular and goofy stance: why is it important to know how to ride both?

It’s important to know how to ride both a goofy stance and a regular stance because you never know when you might need to switch stance. Maybe one of your skateboard buddies isn’t available and you have to hit the park solo. In that case, you’ll want to be able to ride both ways.

Or maybe you’re on a trip and the skatepark you’re visiting only has one deck, and it’s set up for regular riders. If you can’t ride goofy, you’re out of luck.

Knowing how to ride both ways is just a smart thing to do, period. It gives you more options and makes you more versatile as a skater.

What should a beginner rider do when first learning to ride?

When learning to ride a board for the first time, identify whether you are a goofy or regular stance rider. This is an important first step that can determine the way you position yourself on the skateboard.

Once you have determined your foot positioning, you should practice getting on and off the skateboard.

To stay safe while practicing, be aware of your surroundings and people who might be around you. Make sure to wear the proper safety gear, such as a helmet, knee pads, and elbow pads.

Start by riding in an open area without any obstacles, and then progress to areas with more obstacles as you feel more comfortable.

Why is it important to determine what skateboarding stance you have?

Now that you know the difference between goofy and regular, you might be wondering why it’s even important to determine which one you are. After all, can’t you just put your feet wherever and still ride the board?

Well, yes and no. You can technically put your feet wherever and still ride the board, but you’ll likely find that it’s much harder to balance and stay on if you’re not in the proper stance.

The reason for this is that when you’re in the proper stance, your weight is evenly distributed between your front foot and back foot. This gives you better balance and more control over the board.

So if you’re having trouble staying on your board or keeping your balance, definitely take a moment to double-check which stance you should be in. Chances are, you’re either in the wrong stance, or your weight is not evenly distributed.

How to easily find your skateboard stance?

Trick#1

There’s an easy way to find out which stance you should use. Just imagine you’re standing on your board and then jumping off it. When you land, take a look at where your feet are. If your left foot is in front, then you’re regular-footed. If your right foot is in front, then you’re a goofy rider.

Trick#2: regular or goofy stance?

If you’re not sure which one you are there are a few tricks that could help you with finding if you are a regular or goofy rider. One of them is to stand up and hop in the air. Whichever foot you land on first is the one that should go in front.

Trick#3: a quick test

The most crucial step in choosing a preferred stance is to identify your dominant foot. Once you know which foot is your dominant one, you can put that foot in the back of the board. If you’re not sure which foot is your dominant one, here’s a quick test you can do:

Stand with both feet together and have someone push you from behind gently. The foot that steps forward naturally is your dominant leg.

Once you know which foot is your lead foot, you can put that foot in the back of the board. If you want to try riding switch (that is, with your non-dominant leg in the back), that’s fine, too! Riding switch learning takes a bit more practice.

There is a belief that you are more likely to be a regular rider if you are right-handed, which is why the number of regular riders prevails over that of goofy riders. Some people can even do both – switch stance. But it is not true for everyone.

Why ride goofy?

There are several benefits of riding with a goofy stance than a regular stance. For one, it helps goofy riders improve balance and coordination. Additionally, it also provides a better sense of control over the board. Additionally, a goofy board stance helps prevent fatigue and allows for a more natural stance riding.

How does a rider’s left/dominant foot affect the stance?

The rider’s left foot placement on the deck is what determines if the stance is regular or goofy. For a regular stance, the left leg is placed behind the board’s center point. Whereas for a goofy stance, the left leg is placed in front of the board’s center point.

Tips on practicing a goofy vs regular stance riding position

If you’re just starting, it’s probably a good idea to try both positions and see which one feels more natural for you. Once you’ve decided which position you want to ride in, practice until you feel comfortable. Here are a few tips:

• When starting, find a smooth surface to practice on, like a driveway or skatepark.
• Start by riding with your back foot in the middle of the board and your front foot hanging off the nose or tail.
• Once you’re comfortable with that, try moving your feet into the proper position for your chosen stance.
• Practice stopping and turning, and try different tricks. The more you practice, the better you’ll get.

Goofy vs regular: pros and cons

Now that you know the difference between goofy and regular stance, you might be wondering which is better. The answer to that question depends on your skating style and preferences.

Here are some pros and cons of each stance to help you decide which is right for you:

Goofy Stances: Usually considered the more aggressive stance, good for street skating and tricks. Goofy riders find it more stable and easier to balance on uneven ground.

Regular board stance: Often considered the more laid-back stance, good for cruising and going fast. Some people find it more comfortable for long periods of skating.

Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which is a more comfortable riding position for you. Give both a try and see which one is your preferred stance. There’s no right or wrong way here!

Goofy stance on a surfboard

If you’ve ever been to the beach and seen someone surfing, you may have noticed that some people seem to be riding their boards “regularly” and others “goofy.” So what, exactly, does that mean?

Put simply, regular foot placement is when your left foot is placed in the front of the board and your right foot is in the back. This placement is considered more natural and comfortable for most people.

A goofy stance, on the other hand, is when your right foot is in the front of the board and your left foot is in the back. This stance is considered more difficult to ride but can offer more speed and power.

Other skateboard stances

There are a few other stances you can use when you’re skating like the opposite stance, but “regular” and “goofy” are the two that are used the most. “Regular” is when your left foot is in front and “goofy” is when your right foot is in front.

Not everyone falls neatly into the “regular” and “goofy” categories. Some riders have to find their way because they simply don’t fit the mold. We like to call them two-legged freaks.

These are the riders who defy all the rules. They stand with one foot forward but can ride equally well with either foot in the lead. They don’t care what anyone says – they’re going to ride the way that feels best for them. And that’s what skateboarding is all about.

Does your dominant foot determine your stature?

So, which foot do you think is your dominant one? If you’re not sure, there’s an easy way to find out. Just take a look at your body stance when you’re standing normally. If your left foot is pointing forward, then you’re regular-footed. And if your right foot is pointing forward, then you’re goofy-footed.

Now, some people believe that your dominant leg should be the one that’s in the back when you’re skateboarding. But that’s not the case. It doesn’t matter which foot is in the back — it all comes down to personal preference and what feels comfortable for you.

So, if you’re still not sure which foot placement is right for you, just experiment with both and see what feels best. There’s no right or wrong answer here — it’s all about what works best for you and your skating style.

Is left or right hand important? Believe it or not, the hand you use to push off with is more important than which foot you place in front. For example, if you’re right-handed, you’ll want to push off with your right foot and have your left foot in front. This is because it will be easier for you to control the skateboard with your right hand.

FAQs on Skateboarding Stances

Can I switch between stances?

Absolutely! Many skateboarders do just that.

What’s the best stance for beginners?

There’s no definitive answer to this question since everyone is different. But if you’re just starting, it might be a good idea to try both stances and see which one feels more comfortable for you.

Is it better to skate goofy or regular?

Approximately 80% of skaters use regular stances and 25% are goofy. It’s impossible to say which position would suit you the most. Usually, skaters are in a funny position, and many prefer regular stances.

Do any pro skaters skate goofy?

Though the gimmick attitude is less common several pro athletes use the technique, including skateboarders such as Chris Russell & Felipe Gustavo.

Do most skaters ride goofy?

Nope. According to some sources, about 4,000 skaters are goofy (45%) and half regular ( 56%). However, the relatively similar stance isn’t consistent with statistics about hand strength. Almost half of Americans think they’re right.

Can you ride regular on a goofy board?

There is no right or wrong answer to that question. It depends on your abilities and preferences.

Why do they call it goofy skating?

Bizarrely, this stance gets its name from an old Goofy cartoon in which it is shown riding with his left foot in the back of the board and his right foot in the front. The name was popularized by this cartoon and quickly caught on among surfers.

Conclusion

When it comes to skateboarding, it’s important to know which foot is your dominant foot and which foot is your “goofy foot.” Your dominant leg is the foot that you use the most and is typically the stronger foot. Skateboarding is a lot easier when you are riding “goofy” because your dominant foot is now your back foot. Wonder how to measure skateboard wheels, read