Finally out into the wild for Summer and Harry… (worth the wait!)
Regard the video as constructive feedback. Harry feels like he is moving his centre of mass into the turn – but the video shows how little it’s really happening. It’s often only when we see ourselves on video that we can start to match our kinaesthetic perception with reality.
Another point to mention is that the start of the turns are being rushed – to try to get the skis below on the mountain for security. This is a classic beginner’s issue – completely normal and ready to be addressed and corrected in our next session.
Overall the basic movement pattern is correct and a great base to build from.
Summer’s choice for feeling secure is a slight snowplough. Similar outcome to Harry with very little movement of the centre of mass at this stage – yet clearly working in the right direction.
Enabling Summer to be safe on steeper slopes while still using a plough we introduced “Foot Forward Technique”… This gives security through the start of a turn on steep terrain.
Pushing the outside (uphill initially) foot forward during the turn. The foot never gets in front of the other foot – it just tightens the turn instead.
The exercise is practised with skis off and standing in ski boots. For this static exercise we use ski pole support with the body faced downhill with the uphill foot pointing across the hill and the downhill foot pointing downhill and the heel jammed into the snow. The uphill boot is pulled over onto its inside edge and pushed forwards in a natural arc.
Here is some video of exactly the same action in ice hockey training. In skiing the direction of travel would be straight downhill instead of straight ahead on the flat ice.
Adductors
When warming up at the start of the session we worked a moment on the sensation of “pushing” the centre of mass by extending the uphill leg – while simultaneously “pulling” inwards with the adductor muscles. Part of the aim was to keep most pressure on the outside edges of the feet where they are strongest. The shaft of the ski boot running up the lower leg keeps the ski on its inside edge. There is more protection for the knee than if the foot is rolled onto its inside edge inside the ski boot.
Side Slip “Joystick Control”
To be able to descend steep sloped very slowly sometimes we need to side slip. It’s important to know how to control the side slip by directly using the centre of mass – “Joystick” control! This includes forward/ backward diagonal side slipping and stopping/starting all by just placing the centre of mass.
Skis need to be close together for this to work.
Side Slipping is also critical for developing good pivoting skills.
Skating Skills
The session was concluded with some skating turns to get the legs functioning independently and to get the centre of mass moving more. Both Harry and Summer understood how much more they can move the centre of mass now.