Need some help locking on...

I'm learning big handrails now and I'm having trouble "locking on" I'm not scare of them and it's not hard for me to get on top of them. I come on frontside and always slide off the other side. Is there some common mistake that keeps people from staying on for the complete handrail?

Looking at the end of the rails instead of down at the rail?

also sounds like it could be an approach problem.  Try starting your ollie a little closer to the rail and move downhill more than side to side.  That combined with looking down the rail will help "straighten" out your ride.

if you have a very centered stance when you get on the rail that should solve the problem... or it could be that your board is too stiff for rails and boxes. How stiff is it

I think it's all a matter confidence. I'm a beginner at jibbing myself. On some days I can do a lot of different stuff such as bigger rails, on some days (especially after a nasty fall and your mouth is bleeding) I just do too many speed check and mess up everything.

Just speed check early, commit to what you are going to do, have enough speed on the rail and look at where you wanna go (don't look down or to the side). I find it easier to reach the end of the rail if I have enough speed, otherwise somehow I'm always running to the side too.

Originally posted by jayxprez Sounds like Doug needs to put together another video.

I wonder if you're slowing down too much? Down rails tend to generate a lot of speed, so you don't want to approach too quickly, but if you're going to slow you'd be more likely to rock yourself right off the other side.

Don't be afraid to really set your board down on the rail either.

Your just taking too big of an angle.
The black is the rail, the red is the lip, the green is you. See the first one, your taking off too far from the rail. Common mistake when your just starting skate style features.
Take off closer to the rail like the pic on the right. Sometimes i'm even parallel to the rail and I just hope sideways onto the rail.

I think speed definitely is your best friend when hitting them.
I was following someone one time and I knew I was going too slow. I hit it anyway and my board slips out. My stomach hit the rail and I ended up in the hospital.

hahahaha thats a gnarly drawing

Some nice tips on this thread, thanks everyone!

Originally posted by Attrox Looking at the end of the rails instead of down at the rail?

I think when you ollie from the side, you don't aim to land on the surface directly next to you. Gain a little speed, jump and land on the surface further down.

^ trying fs boardslides, its kinda hard not falling on your back ^_^
i interpereted the question as you guys are over rotating when trying a fs boardslide? if thats the case, then when you partially rotate to go perpendicularish to the rail, keep looking at the end of the obstacle. once your in position, just stay like that and keep your balance.