Snowboard Grabs — Indy, Mute, Melon Explained

A "grab" is grabbing the board mid-air with your hand. It looks like style for style's sake but it actually serves three purposes — slowing rotation, stabilizing the body, and adding control to the trick. Five grabs cover 90% of what you'll see in any snowboard video.

The Five Grabs

1. Indy — Back hand grabs the toe edge between the bindings. The most natural grab. Start here.
2. Mute — Front hand grabs the toe edge between the bindings. Crosses the body. Stylish.
3. Melon — Front hand grabs the heel edge between the bindings. Mirror of mute.
4. Method — Front hand grabs the heel edge between the feet, the body twisted into a cobra shape. The iconic snowboard grab.
5. Tail grab — Back hand grabs the tail of the board.

How to Practice

On a small jump or roller, do straight airs first — no rotation, just a clean ollie. Once you can get clean air, add the grab one trick at a time. Indy first, since the back hand naturally falls toward the toe edge.

The Trick That Trains Grabs

Sit on your couch with the board (no bindings on). Strap in, hop off the couch, grab the board mid-air. Land softly. Five minutes of couch grabs trains the reach pattern before you ever leave the snow.