Performance Short Turns

Performance Short Turns

Advanced Zone/Level 3 Applied Skills

Activity Descriptions:

These turns are dynamic short radius turns that maximize ski performance. The skier maintains control through turn shape. Turns are as carved as possible given ski design and terrain. The COM travels approximately one meter across the hill from turn to turn.

Why This Activity Will Be Useful:

Practicing and learning this activity will help the expert zone skier master skill blends for the purpose of maximizing ski performance in shorter radius turns on groomed terrain.

How the body moves: (CAUSE)

·  Ankles remain flexed

·  Fore/aft movements move COM towards the fore body of the ski through first half of turn

·  Fore/aft movements move COM towards center of the ski through second half of the turn

·  Tipping movements originate in the feet and legs

·  A blend of inclination and angulation are used to control edge angle and lateral balance

·  Legs rotate under stable pelvis and upper body

·  Active flexion/extension movements absorb/manage pressure

What the skis do: (EFFECT)

·  Ski performance is as carved as possible in shaping phase given terrain, conditions, and ski design. Edge angle is highest in shaping phase

·  Skis send COM across the hill at least one meter

·  Skis are most engaged and bent in the shaping phase

·  Skis bend from center in majority of turns

·  Skis have similar edge angles

·  Edges are progressively untipped and reengaged through transition

·  Skis are rotated as little as needed to achieve the desired level of performance.

·  Turn shape and line controls speed. Tempo is consistent and promotes dynamic turns

Where:

·  Groomed green, blue or black terrain

·  Choose a safe low traffic area for this activity

See a Video of this Activity

Learning/Teaching Cues:

Previous practice and proficiency with all short turn tasks and railroad track based tasks at more fundamental skill development levels will build the skills needed for these turns.

Pressure control teaching cues:

·  As speed and forces build, it can be tempting to resist the forces of the turn and control speed in the late shaping phase and finish of the turn, resulting in snow spraying down the hill, or at the finish of the turn. Instead, consider trying to have the snow spray (if any) and pressure/forces be greatest in the shaping phase of the turn. A cue: ski from shaping phase of one turn to shaping phase of the next. Use the finish/initiation phases to redirect the COM and skis from one turn into the next

·  Foot to foot pressure -- flows from outside ski of one turn to outside ski of the other turn and is constantly, progressively adjusted. See previous cue. Use progressive angulation of the pelvis and upper body to counterbalance the lower body inclination and direct pressure to the outside ski

Edge Control Cues:

·  Utilize lower body tipping movements to initiate edge change and edge engagement and start inclination of COM into turn. Edge angle builds and diminishes quickly in these turns.

·  Flexion of the inside leg paired with extension of the outside leg during initiation and shaping phase aid tipping movements that originate in feet and ankles

·  Edge angles are adjusted progressively through the turns

·  Leg rotation affects edge control as well as rotational control of the skis

Rotational control:

·  In short turns such as these, the legs are constantly turning underneath a stable pelvis and upper body, whether to turn in the direction of the current turn, or to begin to prepare and redirect the skis into the next turn

·  Depending on pitch and ski design, more or less “guiding” of the skis and more or less “carving” of the skills will be used in performance short turns. The goal in these turns is to maximize the amount of carving possible given the variables

·  Rotation of the legs should supplement edging movements to promote as carved ski performance as possible.