MAKE STUDENT’S FREESTYLE DREAMS COME TRUE ON A MATTRESS BOX BY DAVID OLIVER
Freestyle. To me, it’s all about a no-rules exploration of anything you want to do. No wrong, no right. T ere’s good and bad, and that relates to the skier’s movements. T e good brings high-fi ves all around, the bad can spell injury. With proper instruction, skiers can have lots of good days. One of the features I like to use with freestyle students is the
mattress box, which, as the name suggests, is a big, fl at box that gives riders lots of room to maneuver. Before heading to this feature, however, it’s important to make sure students have the requisite skills for success. In other words, work fi rst to make sure they have the rotational, edging, and pressure control skills they’ll
On ONE CONDITION
apply on the box. Assess – and build – the rider’s ability to use fl at skis, apply “pop” (or projection of primary movement), and rotate/spin from the core of the body rather than just the legs.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE MATTRESS BOX? Finding a feature or run with low consequence for miscues is essential for learning. Also, the relative speed needed for the feature should be easily within the student’s skill set. If not, move to a more appropriate feature. To build student confi dence, the feature should be on a relatively fl at run, and in an area with low traffi c.
WARM UP FOR THE MATTRESS BOX First things fi rst, establish a sequence of events. To spin full 360s on the box, freestyle students will need four building blocks. Specifi cally, the ability to: 1. Slide a box normally 2. Slide a box and come out switch 3. Spin a 180 in the air 4. Spin multiple 360s on the snow (whirlybirds).
Once you’re confi dent they have those skills individually, you can play with the mixture of the building blocks. On snow fi rst, with skis. T en on the box in boots, without skis. T en, with skis, with a little help from you as a spinning force. By off ering a nice fi rm handshake at the right moment, you can help the skier generate the 360 (see photo sequence). T e student just simply needs to be in a centered posture to maintain the spin. Small, easily attainable steps – in an ATML-based sequence
of approach, takeoff , maneuver, and landing – are the keys of feature navigation. And make sure you’re there for every step. If needed, get out of your skis and give the student a hand. Also off er coaching cues – short, single-word references to aid clarity and timing. Constant verbal dissertations don’t do anyone an good.
HOW TO GAUGE THE NEED FOR MORE SESSIONS Make plans based on the student’s initial goals. Did he or she do the full 360 or not? Or, did the rider pull off an even cooler trick? Simply ask students if they got what they need. If not, keep working. If so, build upon that as a platform for trying 270s or moving on to rails. Use accomplishment as a carrot for the next lesson.
TYPICAL FREESKIING ISSUES, AND HOW TO FIX THEM When someone skis with their guts rather than skill, their guts will only get them hurt. If a student has to talk themselves into doing something, then you didn’t give him or her the tools to do the task. Give students the necessary skills, then allow them to explore. Expand their comfort zone; DON’T take them out of it.
David Oliver, is a two-term freestyle specialist on the PSIA Alpine Team. He is also the assistant training manager at Breckenridge Ski & Ride School and a Level II chairlift mechanic.
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PHOTOS BY SCOTT D.W. SMITH
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