Developing Grip Wedge-to-Parallel
WHAT
Developing stronger, more positive grip and edging through the bottom half of the turn. As the skis are parallel for a longer duration there can be an emphasis on developing grip which will set students up for success.
WHY
Will give skiers a much stronger feeling of grip and control. For skiers to develop their skiing onto a parallel turn a higher edge angle is needed in the bottom half of the turn to create a platform for more precise balance.
HOW
Develop the lateral movement of the legs to roll the skis onto an increased edge angle.
WHAT’S NEW
Precise and accurate movement of the legs will create edging and give a greater feeling of grip and control.
Situational Understanding
- Travel at a speed that allows for parallel to be achieved before the fall line
- Use easy blue terrain
- Develop awareness of why skis need to be edged
- If using wider skis, understand edging will become harder, and steering will become easier
Active Balance & Stance
- Use flexion of the legs during the bottom half of the turn to aid lateral movement and edging
Outside Ski Balance
- Higher speeds and greater edge angle will create more force acting on the skier
- Maintain a stable upper body while inclining the legs further inside the turn, helping to manage angulation
Edging
- Ski design will be aiding the skier to follow a smooth, round turn shape
- Use lateral and rotational movement of the femurs to incline the legs inside the turn, developing more edge through the control phase of the turn
- Establish good grip on the outside ski before moving to parallel
Steering
- Increase the intensity of rotation to maintain a steered turn shape
- Create a small wedge at the start of the turn
- For the majority of the turn skis are parallel