Ice Walls

Goal

Poling starts with the elbows flexed and hands in front of the torso, shoulder width apart. Hands move down and back, toward or past the hip, depending on the desired tempo. Elbows break the plane of the back first then hands.

Helps when a skier's hands do not move parallel to the tracks.

Details

Have skiers imagine there are ice walls on both sides of the tracks. While standing still, have skiers use a Diagonal Stride arm swing with pole in hand (tips off snow) and pretend their poles slide along the walls of ice (the shoulder, hand and elbow all slide along the ice wall). Reinforce the front to back movement (no side to side).

Progression: Once you see the correct movement in a static position, do the same activity while striding down track.

Manoeuvres

Skill

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