Developing Sliding Turns

Question 0

What are the goals for developing sliding turns?

Answer 0

1) Continue to develop basic competencies
2) To control speed using turn shape
3) To ride steeper slopes
4) To improve timing and consistency of turn shape
5) To link symmetrical sliding turns on blue slopes

Question 1

What terrain should you develop sliding turns?

Answer 1

Green and blue runs, groomed conditions.

Question 2

What are the skills needed to develop sliding turns?

Answer 2

1) Position & Balance: Centred, relaxed, mobile position.
2) Pivot: Rotation around C.O.M with both knees beginning to steer.
3) Edging: Increased edge angle, and earlier in the arc (at fall-line), utilising a combination of inclination and angulation movements.
4) Pressure: Up and down movements in lower joints, as terrain and speed dictate.
5) Timing and Coordination: Focus on symmetry between turns.

Question 3

What tactics can be used when teaching sliding turns (Position & Balanced)?

Answer 3

1) sliding 360’s (centred position, lower COM for stability

2) Motorboat turns (alignment and use of core)

Question 4

What tactics can be used when teaching sliding turns (Pivot)?

Answer 4

1) Headlight on Knees

2) Garland / Fall-line Pivot exercise

Question 5

What tactics can be used when teaching sliding turns (Edging)?

Answer 5

1) Static edging exercise (jumping) (Inclination vs. angulation)
2) No high-back analogy
3) clock face analogy
4) spraying the trees

Question 6

What tactics can be used when teaching sliding turns (Pressure)?

Answer 6

1) Hop to change edges (flex in turn)

2) Traverse with Flexion

Question 7

What tactics can be used when teaching sliding turns (Timing and Coordination)?

Answer 7

1) Counting
2) Follow the leader
3) sequence of movement