In snowboarding, what is the stance with the rider’s left foot forward called?

In snowboarding, riding with the left foot forward is called a regular stance.

The opposite arrangement, with the right foot forward, is known as a goofy stance. These names describe a rider’s preferred direction, not their skill level or the direction of travel down a particular slope. A rider can also ride switch, meaning with the opposite foot forward from their usual stance.

Snowboard bindings are mounted so one foot leads and the other follows. Many beginners discover their stance naturally by sliding on a smooth surface or noticing which foot they put forward when regaining balance. Some riders use a duck stance, in which both binding angles point outward; this is a binding setup rather than a basic alternative to regular or goofy stance.

Stance terminology is also used in freestyle snowboarding, where approaching a jump or rail in switch can make a trick more difficult. Regular and goofy are equally valid and do not indicate whether a rider is left- or right-handed.