Alpine Technical Manual Terms Flashcards
abduction
Movement of a limb away from the body’s midline.
ability
A natural or acquired (learned) skill.
absorption
Allowing the leg muscles to relax and the joints to flex in response to forces applied to the skis. Creates a momentary reduction in force.
acceleration
The rate at which an object’s velocity changes over time, including both magnitude and direction.
action plan
Basic recipe for teaching a specific topic.
active
Working to cause movement or change OR movements generated to change the ski-to-snow interaction.
adaptive
Programs or lessons tailored to the individual needs of people who require specialized equipment or teaching techniques. Serves skiers w/ cognitive, developmental or physical disabilities.
adduction
Movement of a limb toward the body’s midline.
advanced zone
A component of the skier zones used to categorize general ability level. Skiers in this zone range from those who can handle the easiest groomed black runs to experts who can apply a variety of turn shapes to control speed on any type of terrain on any type of terrain in any snow condition.
aerobic exercise
Physical activity that uses oxygen to help meet energy demands. Opposite of anaerobic exercise. Low-to-moderate intensity of aerobic exercise allows it to be performed for a sustained period of time. Example: running, swimming, nordic skiing.
affective
Refers to a component of the CAP model that deals w/ a person’s affective development. i.e. emotions, motivations, feelings.
aft
Toward the tail of the skis. Opposite for fore.
agility
The capability to move quickly and easily.
air
General name for a maneuver performed off the ground while on skis or a snowboard OR to jump over or off of something.
alignment
The positioning of the body so that forces derived from the interaction of the skis pass through the body’s center of mass to produce the intended movement. This is optimized when the skis and boots are selected and/or modified to enhance strength and predictability of movement. ALSO refers to process/act of adjusting boots to modify a person’s stance.
alpine skiing
The term used to distinguish downhill skiing from its nordic counterparts. This type of skiing evolved from nordic skiing with the invention of ski lifts and fixed heel bindings.
American Teaching System (ATS)
An evolving system of student-centered methods, models and philosophy of teaching snowsports as collected, developed and and disseminated by PSIA/AASI. ATS, which was originally known as the American Teaching Method, recognizes motor skills as the basic building blocks of movement progressions.
anaerobic exercise
Exercise in which energy is released without the use of oxygen. Via a phosphate energy delivery system. Examples include skiing or riding in demanding conditions.
anatomy
The science of body structure.
angular momentum
The rotational analog of linear momentum; defined as the product of an object’s rotational inertia and its angular velocity around a particular axis. The direction a skier goes if the skis suddenly break loose is the result of angular momentum.
angulation
Laterally tipping the body relative to the slope by creating angles between various body parts. It allows a skier to adjust edge angle and maintain balance toward the outside ski. Examples are hip angulation and knee angulation.
anticipation
A psychological and/or physical preparation. In skiing, this refers to a movement in preparation for turning in which the upper body actively turns to face downhill or remains facing downhill as the skies continue to turn across the hill. Strong rotational input is transferred to the skis when the edges are released.
apex
The highest point a skier can attain based on speed, line and trajectory, either in the pipe or off a jump; or the farthest point in a turn, approximately halfway through the arc, in which the which the skis point straight down the fall line. Also used to indicate peak forces in a turn.
approach
The in-run and line to a feature; the movements and tactics a skier uses before reaching the takeoff zone of a feature. Not a good place to stand. Also indicates moving toward a feature. In ATML Model, approach is the first word in the acronym. Others are takeoff, maneuver and landing. These are the moves performed in a freestyle setting.
arc
The curved path of skis during a turn. Also the flight path off a jump. Ideally aligns the skis to land flat on the pitch side of the landing zone.
assess
To collect important cues and evaluate student characteristics such as emotional makeup, expectations, sensory and learning preferences, physical ability and snowsports experience. These clues indicate how the student may receive information and respond to learning.
assessment
The process of assessing student characteristics to determine how to structure individualized, effective lessons.
athletic stance
A body position in which the skier is in balance without excessive learning (laterally, fore or aft) and is aligned over the feet. Defined by the ability of the person to move in any direction at any time.
ATML
Freestyle teaching model. Approach, takeoff, maneuver and landing. Also a movement assessment tool in freestyle that uses the same name.
auditory learners
Students who process information verbally and cognitively. These students enjoy descriptions and talking about their experiences.
axis
A line around which something rotates; reference line for human movement.
backcountry
Areas outside area boundaries. See also off-piste and sidecountry
balance
A state of equilibrium that provides both a source for and an outcome of effective movement when the skier’s center of mass and base of support are aligned to counteract the forces generated from the snow.
balancing
As referenced in PSIA’s early Skills Concept, balancing was considered the underlying prerequisite for any action taken on skis.
balancing movements
Muscular actions to maintain equilibrium or the desired alignment on skis or a snowboard. These movements are usually divided into two categories: 1.) Actions that affect fore/aft balance; 2.) Actions that affect lateral balance.
ball-and-socket joint
A joint in which a knob-like part of the one bone fits into a socket of another, allowing rotation as well as flexion and extension. Examples: hip and shoulder.
banking
A form of inclination that describes a relatively straight body learning toward the inside of a turn.
base
The bottom surface of skis or snowboards.
base of support
The location of the skier’s weight on the snow.
beginner/novice zone
Part of the “skier zones” used to categorize ability level. Never-evers to skiers able to control speed and turn shape on easy terrain.
bevel
The measurement, in degrees, of the amount of material removed from bases and/or edges to achieve certain edging characteristics.
biomechanics
The study of mechanical principles affecting movement of the living body.
blocking
Any movement that reduces or eliminates movement in a certain direction. Skiers typically limit rotation of the upper body by “blocking” with internal muscles or with an external device such as a ski pole in the snow.
blocking pole plant
An abrupt pole plant used to stop or control upper body rotation.
body performance
An element of movement analysis in which an instructor observes how a student’s body movement influences performance.
bones
The lightweight yet strong structures forming the body’s skeletal frame. Supports the body, protects vital organs and provides attachment points for muscles and connective tissues.
boot alignment
adjustments made to a skier’s footbed, cuff and/or boot sole to improve body alignment.
bootboard or zeppa angle
The platform on which the foot rests in the boot. Higher in the back than in the front. Impacts fore/aft balance and hip position over the foot.
boot flex
The degree of resistance a boot provides to movements of the ankle and lower leg. Because ski boots are designed to transfer energy to and from the skis, they should support certain movements of the ankle/lower legs but resist others. Flex is determined by skier’s weight, ability level and typical speed.
booting out
A skid or fall as a result of the boot or bindings dragging in the snow when the skis are tipped on edge.
boot shell
Outer casing of the boot without the liner. Represents the overall size and shape characteristics of the boot.
braking/braking
To slow down by interrupting the flow of a turn. Also the claw like device on a binding that stops a ski from sliding.
breaking wedge
Tactical means of speed control in which the skier increases the size of the wedge and the edge angle to reduce speed or stop.
break (at a specific body point)
To lose the mechanical advantage of proportional flexing by over flexing a joint or joint. To over flex a particular joint, usually the hips, in relation to other joints.
camber
The arched shape of an unweighted ski along its length when viewed from the side. Typically bow shaped.
camber profile
Four types of camber: traditional; rocker (reverse); hybrid (rocker/traditional); flat camber.
cant
A wedge-shaped item that can be placed under a boot or binding to align the boot side to side.
canting
The process of making lateral adjustments to skis, snowboard, binding or boots for optimal alignment or edging. Typically an exterior addition or subtraction to the gear. Cuff adjustments on ski boots are usually for lower leg adjustments, not canting.
cap
Design by which the top sheet and sidewall of a ski are formed from the same sheet of material.
cardinal planes
Imaginary boundaries dividing the body into anatomical sections, representing dynamic planes of motion. See also planes of motion.
carved turns
To make turns with minimal skidding by tipping the skis on edge and allowing the shape of the ski to create the turn with minimal lateral slipping or skidding. Create clean, long arcs in the show as the ENTIRE edge passes through the same point in the snow. A skidded turn, by contrast, uses more muscular rotary movements to cause the ski to turn.
cause-and-effect relationship
An element of movement analysis in which the instructor evaluates the cause or origin of the action and its effect or result.
center of mass (CM)
The point at which the entire mass of the body may be considered to be concentrated. If the body is viewed as made up of many small elements of mass, the average location of these elements is the CM. The CM location changes as the body position changes and may even be located outside the body.
centrifugal force
An outward pushing force felt by riders while moving in a circular motion (arc of a turn). However, there is no real outward force acting so centrifugal force is therefore known as a fictitious force.
centripetal force
A force on an object whose net direction is toward the center of a circle. In a turn, the lateral force of the snow pushes against the edge skis or snowboard, parallel to the snow surface and makes turning possible.
check for understanding
A component of the Teaching Cycle in which the instructor determines whether students understand a task, exercise or concept.
complex
The portion of an exercise line or progression in which skiers build upon the skills learned in stationary and simple exercises by practicing the movement at a non-threatening speed on comfortable terrain.
concentric tension
The muscle actively flexes and the fibers shorten (contract) to overcome opposing forces and move the joint.
connective tissue
The tissue that functions to support, connect or separate body tissues and organs. Includes tendons and ligaments.
coordination
The harmonious function of muscles to execute movements.
core
A frame of anatomical reference for the body minus legs and arms. Includes hips, shoulders and neck.
corrective feedback
External feedback an instructor delivers to suggest more efficient or effective movements for a specific outcome.
counter
To oppose or to go the opposite way. Typically refers to the relationship in which the lower body turns against or opposes the upper body or vice versa. Especially useful in bumps or short turns. One MOVES THROUGH or MANAGES counter.
counter-rotation
Twisting the upper and lower bodies in opposite directions at the same time.
cuff adjustment
A means of making a book more closely match lower leg shape by changing the lateral alignment of the cuff.
decamber
Camber is the natural arch in skies or boards. To decamber means to bend it enough to remove the camber. Happens when flexing the skin in a turn.
deceleration
Slowing down.
demonstrate
To perform a task or exercise highlighting a particular movement.
desired outcomes
The goals of a lesson or task within a lesson which are largely based on what the student wants to achieve but can also represent an effect of a particular lesson strategy to achieve those goals.
direction
An element of movement analysis in which the instructor not only observes the duration, intensity, rate and timing of body movements but also the direction of the movement or action of the skis.
DIRT
Acronym for the elements of movement analysis: duration, intensity, rate and timing of body movements.
dorsiflexion
Ankle flexion of the foot upward toward the shin.
down unweighting
A quick flexion of the legs that produces a momentary reduction of pressure as the skiers CM falls.
drill
A task or exercise used to enforce a desired performance or retain knowledge or to practice or repeat an exercise.
duration
The length of time movement occurs (observed as one part of DIRT/MA)
dynamic balance
Balance in motion
dynamic turn
A parallel turn with more carving than skidding. Energy stored in the ski during one turn is released to aid the state of the next turn. In contrast, a non-dynamic turn relies on more muscular rotary movements to cause the ski to turn.
eccentric tension
When the muscle lengthens as a result of exerting less tension or force than the outside force it is working against.
edge
A strip of metal inserted between the base and the core on the side of a ski; the edge can be sharpened, allowing the skier to slice through hard snow and ice.
edge control
Tipping the skis relative to the length or longitudinal axis of the skis. Skiers use this skill to increase or decrease and angle of the ski to the snow. Edge control is one of the skills in the PSIA Skills Concept.
edging
One of the three basic skills, as defined by an early version of the Skills Concept (1977) aka edge control.
edging movements
Movements that increase or decrease edge angle. Edging movements are one of the skills in the early PSIA Skills Concept.
effective edge angle
Length of the edge, in cm, that’s in contact with the snow.
Effective posture
The body position from which a skier has the greatest amount of movement options.
Efficiency
Expenditure of of the minimum amount of energy required to accomplish a given task. The expenditure of the maximum amount of energy to get the max performance from the equipment.
Equilibrium
A state of balance between opposing forces.
Evaluation phase
The phrase in the movement analysis model involving the ability to assess observations and distill complex technical information into simplified, accurate conclusions.
Eversion
Movement of the body inward. Foot movement that occurs when a skier tips the outside ski onto an its inside edge. Typically associated with foot pronation.
Exercise line
A means of teaching in which the instructor delivers new information progressively; starting with stationary exercises and simple actions and increasing in complexity as the exercise proceeds. Also known as a progression.
Exercises
Situations as tasks instructors create to break down and isolate certain movements and skills for development. Exercises are often combined into a progression or exercise line.
Extend
To make longer; to stretch to open.
Extension
Any movement that increases the angle of a joint. A times, a skier extends the knee, hip and angle joins simultaneously.
extensors
Muscles that enable extension at a joint. For example, the hip muscles act to extend the thigh away from the abdomen; the trunk muscles cause the spine to arch backwards.
Extrinsic feedback
External feedback. Reward given to student for good performance. Undermines intrinsic motivation.
Fall line
Imaginary line that follows the steepest part of descent; the path along which a ball would roll if released down the slope.
Falling leaf
An exercise in which the skier alternately carves or skids forward and backward on the same set of edges to move down the hill in an imaginary corridor. Named b/c it resembles the path of a falling leaf.
