Snowboarding Half Pipe and Jumping Tips
(copied from various places)

Spot your drop-in zone and ride up to it slowly. Do not jump out into the middle of the pipe. Align your shoulder so that the front shoulder drops into the pipe at the same angle as the tip of the board. This keeps your weight centered. The back arm and shoulder should align with the tail of the board. As you tilt the board to enter the pipe, bend at the knees in the "sitting in chair" position. Move both hands down toward the board. Do NOT flail your arms around. As you first enter the pipe, keep the back hand and shoulder back over the tail of the board and trailing foot. This creates body-to-feet alignment. Once you’ve hit the transition and you’re going down the wall of the pipe, get stance as low as possible (without bending at the waist).

1. Start off by doing a falling leaf looking down the pipe (after you reach the —3-4 runs
STAY LOW!!! keep knees facing toe-edge, with your back straight and in the "sitting in chair" position.
Concentrate on having hands and head facing the wall of the pipe that you are going towards. Flex going across pipe; suck it up (letting knees go into chest) going up the wall of pipe. Go all the way up the wall, till you almost come to a stop. Then look over your shoulder to the opposite wall, go (backwards) towards that wall, always keeping eyes on the wall.

2. Falling leaf looking up the pipe—3-4 runs
Doing the same as above, but look up hill instead of down hill.

3.Turn on the wall of pipe
Concentrate going straight across the flat part of the pipe (don’t go on an angle). Go up the wall, as you come to a stop, look over your shoulder to the opposite wall twisting your body around towards the opposite wall. As you twist around, lead with the outside shoulder. Turn the board towards the direction you are looking. Switch edges (i.e. if started on the toe side, switch to heel and visa versa).

4. 180° turn/jump on the wall of pipe
Same as above, but as board comes to a stop, twist body around (leading with outside shoulder) and hop the board around 180°, get your stance, switch edges and cruise across.

1. Now that we are comfortable in the riding the pipe, let’s work on your finessing your stance:
Keep your stance so that your knees are bent and facing toe-edge.When you’re feeling a bit out-of-control, point your knees "out" more; you’ll gain control. Keep back straight and in the "sitting in chair" position. Concentrate on relaxing when going up the hill. Lead with outside shoulder. This helps get the board around.

Keep your back straight and lift your chin. Lead with outside shoulder. Look for your next spot. Jump 180°. Switch edges!!

For your first jump of the day, or when you’re just starting jumping, go over the jump with caution. Don’t pick up a lot of speed, and don’t attempt any "air" or tricks. Use this run to find out the condition of the jump: what kind of lift the jump produces and the condition is the backside or the landing of the jump. Spot your jump and keep your eyes on it. Speed check BEFORE reaching the jump. Hit the center of the jump with your board STRAIGHT!! Stance should be low, in the "sitting in chair position" and your back straight. Keep looking forward. On top of the jump (at the lift/lip) extend your legs (pop off the ground) but then bring your legs up to your chest—still in the "sitting in chair position" and your back straight. Still keep board straight. Arms should be down at your sides (not in the air in a "T" position). Keep looking forward. Slightly bend knees at landing.

Keep back straight and lift chin. Bring legs up to you (pop off ground). Keep board straight Look forward (at all times!!!) Slightly bend knees at landing. Don’t "ride in the back"—Keep 60% of weight on front leg, bent front knee. Steer with front leg, keep weight forward. Keep knees forward, have shoulders even with tips of board. Look forward (at all times!!!)

Stance for Freeriding and tricks: Knees should be facing toe-side edge and even pointing out a little (for control). Shoulders should always be flush with board (in other words, each shoulder even with the tips of the board). Only when you are carving or racing should the knees be at angle and shoulders and hips facing the tip of the board. This is different than what AASI is teaching, but it’s the stance that the pros use. To reinforce this stance: Have student hold hands together in front of them when riding to keep shoulders even with tips. Another way to reinforce this stance: Have student keep hands on hips and look over shoulder, the face facing the tip of the board.

A good book to get is: The Illustrated Guide to Snowboarding. You can get it at Amazon.com for about $20.00

A good stance is 6°/15°