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Variations on a theme: Lifting the Inside Ski

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Ski instructors are as susceptible to trendiness as anyone. Remember the whole tea pot thing? This season’s trend is picking up the inside ski.

If you see the following in a student this kind of activity could work:
  • Hard finish to the turn resulting in a Z shape
  • Issues with lateral balance or getting inside the turn
  • Breakaway outside ski in the bottom half of the turn
  • Settling in the knees
  • Twisting or pushing skis to get on edge
Pick up the inside tail
If someone is drifting back or settling ask them to pick up the inside tail. This will promote flexing in the ankles and knees and will help center the hips over the feet.

Pick up the whole ski
If your student is centered, then we need to get them moving forward and inside of the turn. Start by picking up the inside ski and tipping it to pull the outside ski along with it.  It will take practice and coaching to get this to work.

Why?
Picking up the ski heightens the feeling of the movement forward and inside the turn. Once the students can feel it, it will be easier to replicate.

These kinds of activities promote:
  • Movement of the core forward and inside of the turn
  • Early edge engagement
  • Round turn shape
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