The first thing before stepping onto an Onewheel is to work out which foot you want to have at the front, the leading foot. If you have tried any board sports before then you will probably already know which one is your preferred foot.
This can be done by either having some help from a friend or by yourself. Here is a guide on how to figure out your stance and your leading foot.
How To Test With A Friend
If you have a friend the simplest way to do this is to stand facing forwards with both your feet slightly apart and ask the friend to gently push you from behind. If you naturally put your left foot forward first then you are a “regular foot” and will ride with your left foot at the front of the Onewheel. And if you naturally put your right foot forward first then you’re “goofy-footed” and will ride with your right foot at the front.
If you feel that it doesn’t quite feel right you can try it the other way around. It’s not uncommon to ride the Onewheel switched compared to your snowboard. There are plenty of people riding either regular/goofy on other boards but switching when riding the Onewheel.
The term Goofy is popularly used due to a cartoon snippet, where Disney character Goofy is seen surfing with his right foot forward. So, there isn’t really a difference between Regular and Goofy; its just the way your body prefers and learns better.
How To Test By Yourself
If you don’t have a friend nearby you can easily do it by doing any of these three exercises. It’s important to not overthink it because then you might impact what foot you will use.
1. Jump Straight Up In The Air
The best test for determining if you are regular or goofy is to run and jump as high as you possibly can off one leg. If you choose to jump from your right leg, that means your right foot is dominant and your Onewheel stance is most likely regular. If you chose to jump from your left leg, then your Onewheel stance is most likely goofy.
2. Walk Upstairs
The second way to test your stance is to approach a set of stairs at a normal walking pace. If you stepped on the first stair with your right foot, then you’re most likely regular-footed. If you step with your left foot first, then you’re most likely goofy-footed. To make sure it’s correct try walking up the same staircase a few times in a row to see if you continue to step with the same foot first.
3. Lean Forward Until You Fall
The third test is to stand up straight with your feet together and slowly lean forward. Now, continue leaning forward until you start to fall. The foot you used to catch yourself from falling is probably your dominant foot. If you caught yourself with your right foot then you’re most likely regular-footed. If you caught yourself with your left foot then you’re most likely goofy-footed.
After you have found your stance I highly recommend you as a new rider to read the best beginner tips to help you on your journey to becoming a better Onewheel rider.
Conclusion
When determining the front orientation of an Onewheel, it boils down to your dominant foot. If your natural inclination is to place your left foot forward, you fall into the category of being regular-footed, signaling that your left foot takes the front position on the Onewheel. Conversely, if your right foot tends to lead, you’re classified as goofy-footed, and your right foot becomes the front.
In the Onewheel application, the “goofy” setting serves a simple function. It alters the direction of the foot image displayed on the app, offering a visual representation of the current angle of the board, and aiding the rider in their awareness.
Now, when it comes to the age-old debate of whether it’s better to ride goofy or regular, the answer is remarkably straightforward. There is no inherent advantage to either. The choice of foot placement doesn’t influence your riding style or dictate your speed; it’s purely a matter of personal preference.
For those curious about the Onewheel Pint’s backward capabilities, the answer is affirmative. Much like its counterpart, the XR, the Onewheel Pint and GT can ride backward if Simplestop is disabled in the app. Riding in reverse, achieved by leaning in the opposite direction, is colloquially referred to as riding switched, causing the board to move backward.
Lastly, let’s delve into the concept of riding goofy. Whether you call it “goofy,” “goofy stance,” or “goofy foot,” it all revolves around a specific riding stance in board sports. In this stance, the rider places their left foot toward the tail of the board. This stands in contrast to the majority who adopt the “regular” stance, positioning their left foot forward on the board. These terms essentially encapsulate the rider’s preferred foot placement in relation to the board.
