Black Pressure Exercises

Ski

1 Foot Side Slips

Terrain

Blue groomed, wide with light traffic

Activity

Do a side slip on the downhill ski only, then on the uphill ski only. Keep the lifted ski parallel with the snow.

Emphasis

Travel in a straight line down the fall line without turning, or slipping forward or backward. Balance needs to be centered to keep the travel in a straight line.

Notes

Tags

black balance, black edging, black pressure, black steering

360 Flatland (Whirly Birds)

Terrain

Flat, groomed medium blue terrain

Activity

Series or linked 360 degree slips completed in both directions.

Emphasis

Staying close to the fall line, maintain a consistent speed.

Notes

Tags

blue balance, blue steering, blue pressure, blue edging, black balance, black edging, black pressure, black steering

Carved Charleston

Terrain

Groomed Blue

Activity

In a parallel position facing downhill have skis to stay on the snow. Move from inside ski to inside ski allowing the skis to maintain edge engagement by bending the skis from the middle.

Emphasis

Balance and Stance: The inside leg shortens as the outside leg lengthens, setting up alignment and balance and weight on inside edge of the inside ski.

Edging Movements: The edges are released and re-engaged in one smooth movement.

Pressure Control Movements: Skis bend progressively throughout the turn, with the entire length engaged.

Notes

Tags

black balance, black edging, black pressure, black steering

Catch and Release

Terrain

Moderate, Green or Blue, Groomed

Activity

With skis pointing across the fall line, do a diagonal side slip. When comfortable, end the side slip with a clean traverse. Then back to a diagonal side slip, and back to a clean traverse.

Emphasis

Uphill lead ski,

skis remain parallel at all times,

skis keep same distance from each other,

skis remain across the fall line at all times.

Notes

you can analyze many errant body position and balance errors with this exercise to determine what the student needs to work on.

Tags

blue balance, blue edging, blue pressur,e blue steering, black balance, black edging, black pressure, black steering, green edging, green Balance, green pressure

Dolphin Hops

Terrain

Gentle, near flat

Activity

1. Stationary -

push feet forward to raise tips

pull heels back to raise tails

repeat push and pull while still flat on snow

2. Stationary -

push feet forward, raise tips then hop while pulling heels back

land with tips down first

3. While sliding -

repeat step 2 to get the hang of hopping with feet forward and landing with feet back.

4. While in a traverse -

repeat step 2

Emphasis

This will help with balance and keeping your center of mass still while the feet are moving for and aft and up and down. Imagine your feet moving in a circle.

Notes

This is a good exercise as a precursor to working on a bump run.

Tags

blue balance, blue pressur,e black balance, black pressure

Dolphin Turns

Terrain

Groomed, moderately steep to steep

Activity

In conjunction with Dolphin Hops, this is the next level. Do the dolphin hop at the beginning of a turn, where the hop initiates the turn phase.

Emphasis

Balance and turn shape are the main points for this exercise.

Notes

This will help prepare for bumps.

Tags

black balance, black edging, black steering, black pressure

Edge Change on Flexion

Terrain

Blue groomed, wide with light traffic

Activity

While doing turns edge change happens with a flexion rather than extension.

Emphasis

Rotation is at a consistent pace. Edge change is at most flexed point.

Rider should be smallest at transition tallest at apex.

Notes

Should feel like the skis cross under you instead of you crossing over the skis.

Tags

blue pressure, blue tilt, blue pivot, black pressure, black tilt, black pivot

Falling Leaf

Terrain

Green to Blue groomed

Activity

A series of slips back and forth across the falline achieved by changing pressure on front and tail of ski and or by slight steering of skis.

Emphasis

Maintain a balanced parallel stance.

Notes

Tags

green balance, green edging, green pressure, blue balance, blue edging, blue pressure, black balance, black edging, black pressure

Floater Turns

Terrain

Groomed Blue

Activity

Using a similar movement to leapers but skis do not leave the snow

Emphasis

Directional movements primarily working on flexion and extension through all major body joints

Notes

Tags

black balance, black pressure

Forward Sideslip

Terrain

Green, Blue or Black terrain

Activity

Slipping sideways and forward, across the hill

Emphasis

Maintain a balanced parallel stance slipping forward, across the hill, upper body faces the intended direction of travel

Notes

Tags

green balance, green edging, green pressure, blue balance, blue edging, blue pressure, black balance, black edging, black pressure

Garlands

Terrain

Gentle to moderate

Activity

Facing across the hill, start a turn until, then turn back before turn finishes. Progressively increase how far the start of turn goes (until close to fall line) before turning back.

Emphasis

This can be used for many kinds of turns. You can emphasis the initiation phase of the turn (with a different exercise) or the finish phase of the turn, depending on the need of the class.

Notes

This exercise can be used in conjunction with many other exercises. It is the go-to platform for helping an instructor simplify a concept by breaking it down into different parts of the turn.

Tags

green balance, green edging, green pressure, blue balance, blue edging, blue pressure, black balance, black edging, black pressure

Herringbone

Terrain

Gentle Groomed green

Activity

Face uphill, spread tips apart, step one ski at a time while moving uphill.

Emphasis

Move knees inside to engage edges to avoid slipping skis.

Notes

Tags

green edging, green pressure, blue edging, blue pressure, black edging, black pressure

Holy Shit Starts

Terrain

Groomed, moderately steep to steep

Activity

Stand across the fall line on uphill ski. Lift and turn your downhill ski so that it is pointing down the hill and your tails are crossed (you will need to open up your hips to face more downhill). Now start a turn while only weighting your uphill ski.

Emphasis

Emphasis on not falling.

Notes

Tags

black balance, black edging, black pressure, black steering

Hop Turns

Terrain

Moderate Groomed

Activity

Turn skis from one direction to the other while in the air. Two footed or one footed [inside or outside]

Emphasis

Upper body remains facing down the hill on or just off the falline, skis remain parallel and parallel to the terrain, pole swing and touch important to timing, balance.

Notes

This is a good test for students balance and fore and aft pressure.

Tags

black balance, black edging, black pressure, black steering

Hopping Charleston

Terrain

Groomed Green or Blue

Activity

In a parallel position, face downhill and hop from inside ski to ski. Allow tip of skis to stay on the snow while picking up and kicking out the tail of the outside ski.

Emphasis

Balance and Stance: The inside leg shortens as the outside leg lengthens, setting up alignment and balance and weight on the outside ski.

Edging Movements: The shins make forward and lateral contact with the boot cuffs as the skier rolls the skis onto the new edges.

Directional movements: The pole swings smoothly in the direction of travel.

Notes

Tags

black balance, black edging, black pressure, black steering

Javelin Turns

Terrain

Flat medium blue terrain with plenty of room.

Activity

The new inside foot is lifted as you initiate the turn. As you balance on the outside ski, it is turned underneath to create a crossed position. Continue to balance and steer the outside ski through the control phase. Place ski back on snow then lift the new inside ski and repeat.

Emphasis

Emphasize allowing the outside ski to turn under the inside thru the turn.

Notes

can help develop counter, to aid in balancing against the outside ski

Tags

black pressure, black edging, black balance

Leaper Turns

Terrain

Groomed, gentle

Activity

The transition zone between turns is completed in the air.

Emphasis

Be sure both skis remain parallel with the snow during this maneuver.

Notes

Tags

blue balance, blue edging, blue pressure, black balance, black edging, black pressure

Mini-Royal Christies

Terrain

Flat, gentle green with lots of room and minimum traffic

Activity

Initiate turn on inside ski. Lift new outside ski slightly up and behind skier.

Emphasis

Balance and stance: The hips are centered throughout the turn, promoting a movement forward through the finish and into the new turn.

Edging: The edges are released and re-engaged in one smooth movement.

Directional movements: The skier extends into the new turn to change edges.

Notes

Tags

black balance, black edging, black pressure, black steering

One Foot Skiing

Terrain

Groomed, moderately steep to steep

Activity

Make turns in both directions while keeping one ski off of the snow.Repeat with the opposite ski off of the snow

Emphasis

This task requires refined balance and forward pressure on the ski.

Notes

It may help to have the student start with rhythmic short radius turns and then lift one ski while continuing the rhythm. Keeping the tip of the lifted ski on the snow may also help with balance.

Tags

black balance, black edging, black steering, black pressure

One Legged Roller Blade

Terrain

Gentle, flat, groomed

Activity

1) In boots only, on snow, rock ankle back and forth on one foot, then the other.

2) On skis, glide in straight line on one foot. Then the other.

3) On skis, glide in straight line on one foot and rock the ankle back and forth. No steering, just edge to edge. Then the other foot.

Emphasis

Use poles to drag the ground for balance. Avoid temptation to steer, just rock the ankle back and forth. Keep lifted ski tip on the snow.

Notes

After practice, do this with both skis on the snow.

Tags

blue edging, blue balance, blue pressure, black edging, black balance, black pressure

Pain In The “S” Turns

Terrain

Flat, gentle, with lots of room

Activity

Ski a series of short radius turns on a long radius turn path

Emphasis

Observe the overall ability of the skier to adapt their movements of the short radius turns giving their current location on the long radius path.

Notes

...

Tags

black edging, black pressure, black steering

Pivot Slips

Terrain

Intermediate groomed terrain with a consistent fall-line.

Activity

Go straight down the fall-line followed by rotation of both skis simultaneously in one direction until skis are perpendicular to the fall-line followed by a sideslip. The skis are then rotated in the opposite direction to a sideslip followed by a stop.

• Start in a straight run down the fall-line

• Skis are maintained at hip width throughout the drill

• When skier is up to speed, both skis are pivoted across the fall-line

• A sideslip will be maintained for 6 vertical meters in the imaginary ski-width corridor down the fall-line

• Without losing a substantial amount of speed in the vertical sideslip the skis are again pivoted, this time in the opposite direction for 6 vertical meters in the corridor

* Two left and two right sideslips are performed

* The skier concludes with an edge set that is timed with a pole touch and holds stopped position for 3 seconds

Emphasis

Skier stays within a ski-width corridor without deviation from the fall-line through entire drill

Skis are pivoted simultaneously

Hip width stance in all phases of the drill

Skier loses a minimal amount of speed during the sideslips

Pole plant coincides with edge set at conclusion of drill

Notes

Entire drill is done within an unmarked ski-width corridor down the fall-line

Tags

blue balance, blue edging, blue pressure, blue steerin,g black balance, black edging, black pressure, black steering

Reverse Stork

Terrain

Blue to Black

Activity

Similar to Stork turns but opposite ski lift. Lift uphill ski and initiate turn with inside ski.

Emphasis

fore/aft balance, pressure and balance over stable base.

Notes

Tags

Black Balance, Black Rotary, Black Pressure

Roller Coaster

Terrain

Gentle bumps

Activity

Traverse across small bumps (practice absorbing terrain with contraction and extension.)

Emphasis

Keeping contact between the skis and the snow. Keep upper body on level plain.

Notes

Tags

blue balance, blue pressure, black balance, black pressure

Royal Christies

Terrain

Flat, green to blue with lots of room and very little traffic

Activity

Initiate turn on inside ski. Lift outside ski up and behind skier throughout the turn. Outside leg should be high and level to terrain

Emphasis

Balance: The inside hand, shoulder and hip lead the turn shaping and finish, resulting in a countered relationship between upper and lower body. ( degree of counter is related to size and shape of turn.

Edging: The shins make forward and lateral contact with the boot cuffs as the skier rolls the ski onto the new edge.

Directional movements: The skier extends into new turn to change edges.

Notes

Tags

black balance, black edging, black pressure, black steering

Side Slips

Terrain

Gentle to moderate

Activity

While standing in traverse position, move knees downhill to flatten skis so they slide.

Emphasis

Make sure the sliding direction is down the fall line (may need to adjust pressure or steering) This shows how they can control their speed.

Notes

Can be used to get down a steep slope.

Tags

green balance, green edging, green pressure, blue balance, blue edging, blue pressure, black balance, black edging, black pressure

Side Step

Terrain

Gentle Groomed green

Activity

Step sideways uphill one foot at a time.

Emphasis

Use uphill edges, move entire ski with each step.

Notes

Tags

green balance, green edging, green pressure, blue balance, blue edging, blue pressure, black balance, black edging, black pressure

Skating

Terrain

Works best to teach skating on flatter terrain.

Activity

With tips apart and tails together, push off from one ski and glide on the other. Forward movement is made as the skier pushes back and forth from one ski to the other.

Emphasis

With tips apart and tails together, push off from one ski and glide on the other. Forward movement is made as the skier pushes back and forth from one ski to the other.

Notes

Tags

blue balance, blue edging, blue pressure, blue steering, black balance, black edging, black pressure, black steering

Skiing On Inside Ski

Terrain

Blue flat terrain

Activity

Ski a series of turns skiing on inside ski while outside ski is off the snow.

Emphasis

Balance and Stance: The inside hand, shoulder and hip lead the turn shaping and finish, resulting in a countered relationship between upper and lower body. (degree of counter is related to size and shape of turn.

Edging control Movements: The shins make forward and lateral contact with the boot cuffs as the skier rolls the skis onto the new edges.

Rotary Movements: The skiers legs turn underneath a strong/ stable torso to help guide the ski throughout the turn.

Notes

Tags

black balance, black edging, black pressure, black steering

Stork Turns

Terrain

Terrain varies based on ability

Activity

Start by lifting tail of uphill ski in a traverse. Finish the traverse with a J turn to a stop.Increase the traverse angle until they are starting down the fall line and turn to a stop with inside tail lifted. Gradually increase to a full turn, lifting the tail at the end of the turn.Advanced: lift the tail through the entire turn.

Emphasis

Emphasize balance, forward pressure, upper/lower separation.

Notes

Watch for skiers balance and body positioning. This is a vary versatile exercise that can be used to help correct many issues dealing with body position, stance, balance, early weight transfer and many more.

Tags

green balance, green edging, green pressure, blue balance, blue edging, blue pressure, black balance, black edging, black pressure

Straight Sideslip

Terrain

Green, Blue or Black

Activity

Slipping both skis sideways straight down the fall line.

Emphasis

Maintaining balanced and a parallel stance with upper body maintaining a slight counter

Notes

Explain to students that the angle created by the uphill lead ski should be maintained up the entire body, i.e. boots, knees, hips, shoulders and hands should line up with same angle as the ski tips.

Tags

green balance, green edging, green pressure, blue balance, blue edging, blue pressure, black balance, black edging, black pressure

Thousand Hops

Terrain

Groomed Blue

Activity

Medium radius turns, hop both skis throughout turns and traverses

Emphasis

Taller stance, skis parallel to snow, small hops

Notes

Tags

black balance, black edging, black pressure, black steering

Thousand Shuffles

Terrain

Groomed Blue

Activity

Medium Radius turns, shuffle both feet fore/aft throughout turns and traverses

Emphasis

Taller stance, quick feet, small shuffles

Notes

Tags

black balance, black edging, black pressure, black steering

Thousand Steps

Terrain

Blue groomed, wide with light traffic

Activity

Medium radius turns, step from ski to ski throughout turns and traverses. The goal is to step from edge to edge with little or no skidding.

Emphasis

Taller stance, pickup ski parallel to snow, quick feet

Notes

Tags

black balance, black edging, black pressure, blue balance, blue edging, blue pressure

Traverse Side Step

Terrain

Wide, groomed, moderate to steep

Activity

While in a traverse, have skiers step uphill with uphill ski, then match it with downhill ski.

Emphasis

Emphasize using edges to avoid slipping sideways while keeping skis parallel with each step.

Notes

Be aware of skiers body position. If they are having trouble they are probably not counter enough with the upper body. Its a good test for exposing poor body position.

Tags

blue balance, blue edgin,g blue pressure, blue steering, black balance, black edging, black pressure, black steering

Wedge Javelin Turns

Terrain

Gentle Groomed

Activity

Complete a series of wedge turns picking up the inside ski parallel to the snow, crossing the forebody of the turning ski. After a completing a series of javelin turns, begin to set the inside ski down on the snow parallel to outside ski complete as in a parallel turn.

Emphasis

Helps generate proportionate level of counter as well as open stance

Notes

Tags

blue balance, blue steering, black balance, black steering

White Pass Turn

Terrain

Blue terrain – Choose a safe low traffic area for this activity.

Activity

Start: Use flexion to lift inside foot/ski off snow after the falline (in shaping phase).

Both feet coordinate tipping/rolling edging movements to manage turn shape through the shaping phase of the turn.

Entering transition, flex the joints of the weighted leg to allow that foot’s tipping/rolling movements to release and change the ski’s edge

Continued tipping/rolling of the (new) inside foot shape the turn into the fall-line.

Before the fall line, extend the knee and hip joint of the lifted outside ski to return the ski to the snow. Begin to transfer pressure to the outside ski.

Flexion/extension movements movements to keep center of mass balanced fore/aft and laterally over base of support

Angulation and flexion extension movements direct pressure toward the outside ski

After the fall line, use flexion to lift inside foot/ski off snow so the turn is finished on the outside ski only.

Emphasis

What the Skis Do (EFFECT):

• One ski supports skier from finish through initiation and early shaping phase of the turn.

• Ski in air shows edging activity that matches that of the weighted ski.

• Outside ski is returned to the snow and re-engaged on edge by the falline (middle of shaping phase)

• Inside ski is off the snow in the finish phase of the turn

• Skis are parallel to each other whether on or off the snow and show similar edge angles throughout turns.

• Ski creates round brushed/drifted arc that controls speed at Level 2

• Ski creates a round carved arc that controls speed with line at Level 3

Notes

Being skillful in the ability to adjust body movements to manage ski to ski pressure control is essential for higher level skiing whether in short turns, high speed carving, or variable conditions. This activity develops movements and skills that can be adapted to ski on either ski at any point in a turn, a valuable skill in varied snow and terrain where turn dynamic challenge use to be more adaptable. Additionally this activity helps develop the fore/aft balance skills required to ski on one foot.

Tags

black balance, black edging, black pressure, black steering