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PSIA's Skiing Concepts, 2004

#1
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1/1/05 at 8:03am
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SKIING CONCEPTS – ALPINE TEAM TRAINING – 2004-05

Compiled by Doug Pierini and Michael Rogan



We are concept specific in forming the images of American skiing. The details are manifested in the individual expression of our performance in creating desired outcomes. These concepts have a spectrum of movements that are tied to tactical applications.



STANCE, BALANCE AND DIRECTIONAL MOVEMENTS



· The skier is in balance when they can have a positive, selective effect on any of the skills with either leg at any time.



· The entire body is involved and participates in balancing. The focus is on balancing in the future.



· Versatile/adaptable stance: relates to the functionality of the feet and the desired outcome rather than a specific measured distance of separation.



· The position of the hips over the feet (fore/aft) will play a major role in the parallel relationship of the skis and promote the ability to use corresponding edges. Understand that you may adjust this relationship as you encounter changes in terrain and snow conditions.



· The flexing activity originates from the ankle to support movements through the boot cuffs. Settling in the knees and hips could necessitate a re-centering move, diverging ski tips and/or a sequential edge release.



· Note: Insufficient forward movement promotes inclination of the upper body and weaker lower body angles. In addition you may see over-pivoting of the skis, late pressure application and a divergence of the ski tips. Avoid pressure control movements at the end of the turn originating from the knees and hips.



FUNCTIONAL BODY ALIGNMENT



· Functional body alignment (strong inside half) refers to the ability to maintain the entire inside half of the body (foot, knee, hip, arm, hand and shoulder) in an appropriate alignment for the desired outcome. The amount of lead in the ski tips should match the alignment of the body and is influenced by the pitch of the slope.



· As the turn develops, the focus should be to keep the inside half of the body raised and ahead of the outside half.



· The relationship of the upper and lower body is a key factor in creating the alignment that allows maximum strength of the outside leg. This will help produce a turn that can be quick and accurate to develop to the apex and a powerful stance through the finish.



· Strongest angles are developed at the apex of the turn.



LOWER BODY ROTATIONAL MOVEMENTS



· The core supplies the strength and functional tension to the inside half of the body to facilitate the steering activity of the legs.



· Steering movements of the legs allow us to adjust the radius of the turn.



· Turn transitions: the lower body releases and realigns with the upper body.



· Ski into and out of counter rather than making a strong counter movement.



EDGE RELEASE / EDGE ENGAGEMENT



· Focus on moving forward, in the direction of the new turn and through the boot cuffs.



· Both skis should move to the new edges simultaneously versus sequentially, while striving to maintain ski/snow contact.



· Edge release and re-engagement should happen in one fluid movement.



· The positive engagement of the skis’ tips should draw you into the turn versus displacing the tails to start the turn.



· We create the image of arcing into the apex versus just arcing away from it.

· Strive to use the skis’ design as effectively as possible.



· Note: Look for reasons why the skier may be forced into a sequential edge release pattern. It could be because the center of mass has not moved forward enough. Is there excessive lead change to initiate edge release?



PRESSURE MANAGEMENT



· Lateral weight transfer is a component of pressure management. It can happen progressively or abruptly, depending on the desired outcome.



· Maintain the "strength in length" of the outside leg during the highest loading portion of the turn unless yielding to the influence of terrain and snow conditions or releasing the turn.



· Tactics, terrain, speed, snow conditions and turn shape will alter the timing, intensity and the amount of weight distribution along the length of the ski and foot to foot.



· Pressure management incorporates aspects of fore/aft adjustments as well as lateral movements.



POLE USAGE / ARM MOVEMENTS



· Appropriate pole usage can help us secure/maintain the present turn or initiate the next turn.



· Proper pole usage requires discipline and accuracy of arm movements and pole swing but not always a pole plant.



· It is the upper body and core that positions the arms and the arms that can take the upper body out of position.



· A rotary type pole swing holds on to the old turn. A more linear swing helps to accurately direct movements into the new turn.



UTILIZING THESE CONCEPTS: Keep in mind how we would use the above outline to adjust the skiing focus for different age groups, equipment types, personal style and desired outcomes. The purpose is not to create an exact template, but rather a conceptual outline. The concepts will evolve with industry trends to support the needs of our customers while assisting the teaching pro in creating innovative lesson plans.



WE TEACH PEOPLE, NOT A SYSTEM.



CREATED AND DEVELOPED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE PSIA NATIONAL ALPINE TEAM.

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#2
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1/1/05 at 8:36am
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The above is the most current account of PSIA's official take on skiing. It was mailed out last week by Rob Sogard, head coach of the PSIA National Demonstration Teams. It pretty much mirrors my personal take on skiing. How about yours?
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#3
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1/1/05 at 9:26am
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nolo
The above is the most current account of PSIA's official take on skiing. It was mailed out last week by Rob Sogard, head coach of the PSIA National Demonstration Teams. It pretty much mirrors my personal take on skiing. How about yours?
Seeing this through the eyes of a rooky Level I, and considering the source of the publication above, I intend to do everything in my power to MAKE it my "personal take on skiing", as I expect will most others. It's great to see this presented in such a clear, comprehensive and simplified manner. It's much easier to know where to aim when you have a clear target. This is a great target. Although the PSIA types here have received it from Rob by e-mail, it's an excellent idea to post it here for everyone to see and think about.
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#4
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1/1/05 at 3:34pm
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I skied with Mike at the Master's Academy from Dec 9-13, and it's amazing how much of that we worked on, both in our skiing and in in-depth discussions on the gondola. It sounds like we were being guinea pigs.


I like it. Every word of it makes perfect sense, is easy to understand, is not misleading, and, for the most part is nothing new.

During that week, we did spend a lot of time discussing diverging skis, and possible causes, and whether a diverge at the top of a turn was not as bad, just as bad, or worse than a diverge at the bottom of the turn. It's interesting to see that the theory of diverging skis shows up in this.

For anyone who cares, we decided, and Mike finally agreed (after a few hours of internal deliberation) that if a ski is going to diverge, that it's better to show up at the beginning of a turn than at the end, because if it shows up when entering a turn, it means there is a commitment to the fall ine, whereas if it shows up during the completion, it's due to hips that are turning ahead of the skis (over rotating the hips rather than letting some counter build up).

Good stuff. Thanks Nolo!
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#5
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1/1/05 at 4:06pm
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Why are these images of American skiing?

PSIA should take that part out. Call it "good skiing" or something, but leave the "American" part out.
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#6
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1/1/05 at 4:11pm
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What if they called it "North American"????
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#7
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1/1/05 at 5:07pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TomB
Why are these images of American skiing?

PSIA should take that part out. Call it "good skiing" or something, but leave the "American" part out.
The organization is called Professional Ski Instructors of America

"............legions of half aft skiers could benefit from learning to use the whole ski."  nolo

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#8
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1/1/05 at 6:31pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TomB
Why are these images of American skiing?

PSIA should take that part out. Call it "good skiing" or something, but leave the "American" part out.
Probably a leftover turfism from the hay-days of the big international Inter-Ski event where each national instructor's organization put on an elaborate choreographed to music, syncro-ski, pyro-technic extravaganza show casing their "nation's" method of how one should ski and how best to teach it. The intense nationalism of the event was due to it's use in Europe (being broadcast on prime time TV) to market why potential ski vacationers should come learn to ski the Austrian, Swiss, Italian, French, German, etc... way.

I agree, if is is good, it should work anywhere.
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#9
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1/1/05 at 8:50pm
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I really like this consolidation of the approach to teaching skiing for the PSIA. Does this represent a shift in how we will be asked to teach and the focuses we should have in that teaching?

BTW, am I missing the extension/flexion to initiate and complete a turn? There was a lot of emphasis on this in clinics I took last year, but this seems to refocus on the movement of the hips and ankles. Thoughts?

Stephen Hultquist
Insatiable learner, Truth seeker, Vocabulary stretcher, Friend
...sharing my learning through speaking, a book, guiding, writing, and consulting/coaching
I travel a lot. If you'd like to follow my journeys, I'm on Twitter

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#10
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1/1/05 at 10:04pm
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SSH,

Your not missing it becuase it is not a necessary movement and neither engages nor releases the edges.

By the way, I just heard that you are at Copper now, is this true? Would love to ski with you.
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#11
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1/2/05 at 2:56am
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This is written by the coach of the Professional Ski Instructors of AMERICA demo team. Each country has its own SKING MODEL and although there are many common elements in all, there are differences.

This is the American view of skiing and the skiing model.
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#12
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1/2/05 at 7:19am
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ssh
I really like this consolidation of the approach to teaching skiing for the PSIA. Does this represent a shift in how we will be asked to teach and the focuses we should have in that teaching?

BTW, am I missing the extension/flexion to initiate and complete a turn? There was a lot of emphasis on this in clinics I took last year, but this seems to refocus on the movement of the hips and ankles. Thoughts?
Well, extension and flexion are primary movements of the ankles, knees, and hips. No other way to go from inside and shorter to outside long and strong than to extend the joints above the ankle. Movements haven't changed as much as timing and purpose as I see it. Extension and flexion are still needed in the more traditional sense in low level skiing too as I see it. How bout everyone else?
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#13
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1/2/05 at 6:25pm
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ankle flex

Can anyone (Bob Barnes) explain to me how this PSIA Skiing Concept point:

· The flexing activity originates from the ankle to support movements through the boot cuffs. Settling in the knees and hips could necessitate a re-centering move, diverging ski tips and/or a sequential edge release.

relates to these assertions:

"I maintain that the need for "ankle flex" is largely a myth, and that, given sufficient skill, good technique, and consistency of balance, stiffer boots (fore and aft) are an advantage."
and:
"As the knees bend, the skier flexes strongly forward at the hips and spine, and reaches forward with the arms, to compensate for the inability (and undesirability) of flexing the ankles, thereby maintaining fore-aft balance. Freed of their role in flexing and extending, the ankles are once again able to make important, constant, subtle adjustments in fore-aft balance."

from these threads: Stiffness of boots related to performance?
http://forums.epicski.com/showthread.php?t=7605
and
Ankle Motion, is it needed?
http://forums.epicski.com/showthread.php?t=18916

The arguments are cogent within my personal experiences, they just seem to me to contradict this PSIA recommendation. Where is my disconnect in reconciling these 2 esteemed points of view?
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#14
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1/2/05 at 7:07pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom Burch
SSH,

Your not missing it becuase it is not a necessary movement and neither engages nor releases the edges.

By the way, I just heard that you are at Copper now, is this true? Would love to ski with you.
Thanks, Tom, I'm working through your comments and RicB's. : This was an area that my examiner really hammered in my level II last year. I want to make sure that I really get what a solid skiing dynamic is as I pursue completing level II this season (teaching only).

Yes, I'm part of Copper's S&R School this year as an OHG guide (not an instructor this year; they had enough teaching pool members). Let's make it happen!

Stephen Hultquist
Insatiable learner, Truth seeker, Vocabulary stretcher, Friend
...sharing my learning through speaking, a book, guiding, writing, and consulting/coaching
I travel a lot. If you'd like to follow my journeys, I'm on Twitter

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#15
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1/2/05 at 7:48pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RicB
Well, extension and flexion are primary movements of the ankles, knees, and hips. No other way to go from inside and shorter to outside long and strong than to extend the joints above the ankle. Movements haven't changed as much as timing and purpose as I see it. Extension and flexion are still needed in the more traditional sense in low level skiing too as I see it. How bout everyone else?
What do you mean about the traditional sense in low-level skiing? It seems that initiation for low-level skiing isn't as much about extending as it is tipping the feet in the direction of the new turn. Or am I missing something significant (probably!)?

Stephen Hultquist
Insatiable learner, Truth seeker, Vocabulary stretcher, Friend
...sharing my learning through speaking, a book, guiding, writing, and consulting/coaching
I travel a lot. If you'd like to follow my journeys, I'm on Twitter

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#16
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1/2/05 at 8:00pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Blizzard
This is written by the coach of the Professional Ski Instructors of AMERICA demo team. Each country has its own SKING MODEL and although there are many common elements in all, there are differences.

This is the American view of skiing and the skiing model.
While this could be seen as an evolution of the Skiing Model, think it is intended to apply to good skiing in a more generic sense. This perspective comes from experience with what PSIA has presented along these lines in the past. The story goes that at an Inter-Ski event (late '80's or early '90's), how after each day of presentations of each uniquely stylish demonstration of national styles, all the various national team members would go over on the backside and ski together. The PSIA team collectivly noticed that the "national" distinctions so evident in the presentations faded, and what they saw was a bunch of good skiers doing a lot of common things and skiing more alike than different. That experience spawned the "Common Threads" concept formatted to describe aspects of Balancing, Rotary, Edging and Pressure control skills that were common to all good skiers. As one with that history, I can see that this presentation of Skiing Concepts is an evolution of that concept applied to contemporary skiing in general, as interprited by PSIA's Alpine Team.

The effort to reach concensus on these concepts should be applauded and encouragment given to keep going and roll out the What, When, Where, Why, and How of whatever specific movements produce these outcomes, and how they are taught to, and learned by, anyone wishing to ski a functional representation of these concepts.

I intend to ski and explore all of them to verify their value to how I choose to ski and how they might add value to what my students need me to teach.
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#17
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1/2/05 at 8:32pm
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This concept goes hand in hand with what I am working on right now.
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#18
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1/3/05 at 5:46am
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ssh
What do you mean about the traditional sense in low-level skiing? It seems that initiation for low-level skiing isn't as much about extending as it is tipping the feet in the direction of the new turn. Or am I missing something significant (probably!)?
By traditional I just mean the old tall to start and short to finish. If this is directed into the turn then it can and does disengage and engage the edges. Straightening the leg forces the ski perpendicular to the leg, so it can flatten and as the direction continues can reengage the new edges. A big part of tall to start was I think the resulting flattening of the ski. Later, RicB.
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#19
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1/3/05 at 8:08am
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This pretty much addresses the areas of focus that I've been working on with my kids for the last few years.
I like it.
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#20
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1/3/05 at 9:05am
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FallLine
Can anyone (Bob Barnes) explain to me how this PSIA Skiing Concept point:

· The flexing activity originates from the ankle to support movements through the boot cuffs. Settling in the knees and hips could necessitate a re-centering move, diverging ski tips and/or a sequential edge release.

relates to these assertions:

"I maintain that the need for "ankle flex" is largely a myth, and that, given sufficient skill, good technique, and consistency of balance, stiffer boots (fore and aft) are an advantage."
and:
"As the knees bend, the skier flexes strongly forward at the hips and spine, and reaches forward with the arms, to compensate for the inability (and undesirability) of flexing the ankles, thereby maintaining fore-aft balance. Freed of their role in flexing and extending, the ankles are once again able to make important, constant, subtle adjustments in fore-aft balance."

The arguments are cogent within my personal experiences, they just seem to me to contradict this PSIA recommendation. Where is my disconnect in reconciling these 2 esteemed points of view?
Let me try this. There is no disconnect if we look at the actual mechanics of how the ankle interacts with fore and aft adjustments.

We can all stand still and flex into the fronts of our boots by pushing forward. As soon as we are moving this same mechanism servers to squirt the skis forward and out from under us. A different mechanism is needed.

That mechanism is dorsi flexing or lifting the top of our foot towards our shins. Dorsi flexing allows our ankles to remain at roughly the same angle and the shin to stay on the tongue of the boots while at the same time, the knee opens up and the hips move forward. It is a motion that begins in the ankle and ends with a centering of the hips over the feet.

As such, theoretically you could put yourself in a cement boot where the ankle angle stays the same and this would prevent your ankle angle from changing. The cement boot would force the fore and aft centering to be mechanically correct as the ankles would not open up but the knees would open up and the hips would move forward.

The problem is that the slope changes constantly and you would never react with upper body/lower body adjustments quick enough not to get thrown about and have bruises at the boot tops. So much for the cement boot theory.

Train the muscles to dorsi flex correctly and you don't even need a boot top. Try telemark skiing. You will learn quick or be in the back seat or over the handle bars.
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#21
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1/3/05 at 1:11pm
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I understand the theoretical cement boot example, I've explained it a couple of times to students.

I'm wondering, based on this point, what an examiner will want to see? Will an unhindered, balanced stance be enough or are they looking for visible bend/flex in the boot? Working on L2 so I'm taking notes.

Haven't tried tele yet, but I think I'd like it. My favorite morning warm-up is a few runs with my boots unbuckled. Also a good conversation starter because everyone stops to tell me I'm not buckled. Sometimes I feign surprise... : and say, uh-oh, I better get down quickly then, to do em up!
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#22
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1/3/05 at 1:31pm
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Falline, I don't know about eastern but what we have been describing here is really closer to the level III or above. At the level II they are generally looking for some knowledge of how the ankles interact to help you get forward. As far as I know your ankles don't have to be super active to pass the level II skiing. At level III they need to be visibly active.

As far as teaching I would not go to the cement boot example unless you know it cold. You will be taking the first shovel full on a big hole.
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#23
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1/3/05 at 5:53pm
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????

Quote:
Originally Posted by Arcmeister
... The effort to reach concensus on these concepts should be applauded and encouragment given to keep going and roll out the What, When, Where, Why, and How of whatever specific movements produce these outcomes, and how they are taught to, and learned by, anyone wishing to ski a functional representation of these concepts. ...
Without the What, When, Where, Why, and How that Arc refers to I find this list of skiing concepts to be of little value in understanding much about approaches advocated by PSIA. I assume that PSIA has materials that extensively deal with these issues?
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#24
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1/3/05 at 6:38pm
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FallLine, I believe the key word in the first sentence is originates.
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#25
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1/3/05 at 6:39pm
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Si, one can't fault a poem for not being a novel.
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#26
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1/3/05 at 6:44pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Si
Without the What, When, Where, Why, and How that Arc refers to I find this list of skiing concepts to be of little value in understanding much about approaches advocated by PSIA. I assume that PSIA has materials that extensively deal with these issues?
Ain't gonna happen. That would be to miss understand how PSIA works. PSIA deals in core concepts and not in specific exercises to achieve those core concepts.

PSIA works through its training staff to instill the core concepts and trains the instructors to make up or pick their own exercises based on what they think will benefit the student the most. As long as the exercises convey the core concepts everything is cool. This is great if you are an upper level instructor and confusing if you are not.

PSIA is not a teaching method, its a governing body of professional instructors with a certification program and really nothing more. They talk like the are all things to ski instruction but they are clearly not. Talk only encourages bad mouthing. PSIA is a wonderful orgainization for what it actually does but that roll is limited.
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#27
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1/3/05 at 7:27pm
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The poem's detail may be found at the PSIA On-line Training Center at www.psia.org. I like it when PSIA distills down to these Common Threads type outlines--they invite us to field test the beliefs, which it sounds like Arc is going to do.

This is a statement of the team's beliefs (concepts) about good contemporary skiing. I am reminded of something a great teacher said to introduce his clinic: "...you'll get about what you want out of this clinic. I'll share what I know and believe about skiing with you, but it's entirely up to you what you do with it."
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#28
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1/3/05 at 7:44pm
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The value of a "theory" is not its "truth" but its "utility". Does it work - or not?

I'd bet that the "cement boot" theory is about as useful to teaching 99.9999% of skiers as is eating cement. Sure, some people can do it - but most of us mere mortals would prefer a different technique. Put most level 3,4,5,6 - hell, even 7 and 8 skiers in cement boots, and then teach them to enjoy skiing more. Go ahead! Make my day!

Put on your skis and cement boots, stand there, bend your knees. Where's your ass?! Only way to avoid this is . . . (fill in the blank).
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#29
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1/3/05 at 10:19pm
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Once again PSIA is identifying the core concepts, not inventing them.
That is the job of ski instruction, to identify and figure out how to teach the things they see elite level athletes doing.
Being a ski instuctor is like doing "improve theater". You have to work it to fit the situation(student).
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#30
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1/4/05 at 1:24am
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Quote:
I'm having a lot of fun in my first season as an instructor. FWIW last week I taught level 1 and this week it is level 5 and I taught level 6 (open parallel to carving) the week before that so if you show that you're a good teacher and not a complete gumby you won't spend your whole life on the bunny slopes. This is at a fairly big US resort.
The above is from a young aussie.... nothing like having a QUALIFIED EXPERIENCED instructor huh?
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