- Pivot (Compression Turns)
- Introduction to Carving
The girls have progressed with basic pivoting – so it was appropriate to introduce “timing” because most pivoting is accompanied with some degree of leg retraction. We worked for a while focusing on appropriate use of the adductor muscles in the legs. (Fully explained with links on day 2)
Until now the only timing they have experienced involves a leg extension to launch the start of the new turn. We haven’t gone deep into this technically – they know it’s like a skating action and the body inclines into the turn.
The opposite end of the spectrum is when a dramatic retraction/compression is used to cross over the skis by bending to at least 90° in the hips and knees with the body “sucked” downhill – followed by a full extension of the legs through the turn. This simulates the compression of a mogul – the skis are pivoted with the feet together and hip angulation strongly anticipates the falling of the compressed body downhill -aided by a strong pole plant.
Once the two extremes of timing are mastered then they can be combined and mixed for a full range of possibilities. This is one of the main aspects of versatile skiing.
When people who have never experienced a change in timing try this they never get it initially – and nobody in the group got it – but that’s totally expected. One day 2 nobody could pivot but they all can now.
We also prepared with exercises for the Fun Slope to go faster with proper carving technique – railing the edges of the skis and supported with hip angulation.
Moguls/Bumps (Compression Turns)
Here’s a useful video showing proper compression turns at an advanced level. (Warning! – The drills used to “teach” in the clip are mainly inappropriate and fail to show the pivoting nature of bump skiing. However the advanced dynamics used by the demonstrators are correct.)
Competition bumps skiers have their feet close together and many people swear by a “two footed” platform off-piste. This works because both skis pivot always on their uphill edge. The feet are always kept downhill of the body and so are the knees. Using the adductor muscles of both legs pulls the skis together and strengthens the stance. It’s important however to always orient the body on only one hip – preferably the outside one. The hip is the biggest joint in the body and it is very close to the centre of mass. Any confusion around this area leads to confusion everywhere. Motion starts from the centre of mass – so use your outside hip in the turn – pulling it backwards during the turn – to get your reflexes working and your core muscles protecting your back the most efficiently possible.
For bumps the two ski pivot prevents the feet from diverging off in different directions – and it gives two edges for controlling speed in what is after-all a braking form of turning. The overall stance is similar to off-piste but is part of a “compression turn” which has it’s own page here for reference (or soon will have). Avoid resorting to pushing out the heels – it’s always a pulling inwards that’s required.