Herringbone &
Braking Wedge
Intro
GOAL
You will be able to ski on flat terrain and safely negotiate gentle hills while enjoying the outdoors.
You will get there by working on:
Balance - Step from one ski to the other as you move forward. Shift your body weight from ski to ski.
Coordination - Swing your arms back and forth while stepping from ski to ski. Your arms and legs swing opposite to each other.
Propel forward - Push off on one ski at a time, using your legs and arms to propel yourself forward. Poles add to your momentum.
Speed control - Place and hold your skis in a wedge to slow and stop on a gentle hill.
You rock! You will be able to confidently ski on flat terrain using a diagonal stride, climb hills using a herringbone, slow down, and safely stop when going down a gentle hill using a braking wedge. You will be able to get safely back on your feet after a fall.
LESSON PROGRESSION IDEAS
BALANCE
Start on flat terrain without a track using a “tug test” to introduce edging with the following tasks:
COM moves from ski to ski with each stride. Rock solid pizza (down)
Skier coordinates their lower leg joints to create a wedge. PB & Jam (down)
Skier’s COM is allowed to move laterally toward the outside ski, so the ski can grip the snow. Tick-Tock (up), Walk Like a Duck (up)
COORDINATION
Progress to a gentle incline, ideally concave in profile, using the following tasks:
Skier’s COM is allowed to move laterally toward the outside ski, so the ski can grip while moving side to side. Heel Tap (up)
Skier coordinates their lower leg joints to create a wedge, then releases into a straight run and repeats. Hourglass, Reaching Greater Heights (down)
PROPEL FORWARD
Progress to a mix of terrain, flat to gentle inclines using the following tasks which incorporate decision making:
Skier takes 1-3-5 herringbone steps gradually climbing up a hill and pauses between to hold themselves against the hill. Hold that thought! (up)
SPEED CONTROL
Skier coordinates their lower joints to create a wedge repeatedly while listening to Red light-Green light (down).
PRO TIPS
Use a “tug test” to introduce edge “grip” by gently and gradually having skiers edge to resist being pulled forward on flat terrain.
Emphasize a “ground up” focus. Using their feet and key joints like ankles and knees will increase balance significantly.
Choose appropriate terrain. Always good to err on selecting easier terrain than making it too difficult, too quickly.
Anticipate different paces of progress. Fear of falling at this stage is common.
Practice how to get up safely after a fall on a slope. Side stepping and side slipping can be introduced.