A Cheeky Task

Goal

At initiation of pole plant (side view) ankle, knee, hip and torso align and torso is diagonally forward. COM is ahead of the ankle joint.

Helps when a skier's COM is too far back / not ahead of the ankle joint at start of poling.

Details

To help skiers align their joints, have them stand with hands in the hands ready position and squeeze their bum cheeks, as if they were holding a nickel in place. This usually brings their COM forward to feel pressure on the balls of their feet.

Focus on feeling this sensation just before poles touch the snow.

If the cheeks are squeezed they will automatically have ankles, knees, hips and torso aligned.

Manoeuvres

Skill

Note: Tasks can be adapted to different manoeuvres, skills, and skiers. Try them. Be creative.