HOW TO CREATE WELL- ROUNDED SKIERS Te repetitive-task approach also fails to recognize the importance of being able to generalize skiing ability for a variety of performance situations. Skiing takes place under constantly changing conditions – on different slopes, surfaces, trail widths, etc. By doing the same drill under the same conditions repeatedly until mastered, skiers don’t develop the capacity to adapt to the ever-changing situations they will face on the mountain. Instead, optimal learning occurs when the student is constantly presented with novel circumstances, such as the variation in terrain proposed by Coach B. Trough this type of practice, known as variable practice, clients are forced to continuously problem solve. Although this results in some struggles during practice, those struggles 1) help the skier develop a better understanding of the tasks required, and 2) lead to long-term performance improvements that can be applied to a variety of conditions. Terefore, the goal is not to perfect task execution but to continually challenge the learner.
HOW VARIABLE PRACTICE WORKS If you re-exam the practice outlined by Coach B, you’ll see that it more realistically simulates actual skiing conditions. Tis is a key factor in variable practice design. Because the skier will ultimately have to perform varying sizes of turns on different terrain and different snow conditions, Coach B manipulates these elements on each run (while still keeping the client’s safety in mind). As the skier progresses, instructors can also introduce variations in the speed at
which each drill is performed as well as the shape of the turn. Table 1 outlines various characteristics you can consider when creating variable-practice scenarios, which can be applied to any skill level of skiing, from the wedge turner to the racer. And, specifically for a wedge turner (that is, someone who is beginning to generate a direction change out of a straight run), PSIA-AASI Eastern Division examiner Harold Smith offers the following sample of variable-practice (which
uses fundamental skiing skills throughout): Q Introduce [slight] terrain change QUse sidehill or quarterpipe terrain
QTap the inside ski QMake multiple turns in one direction [garland pattern]
Q Ski backwards [short distance only!] QPractice slower/faster speeds Q Ski smaller/larger turn radius QApply varied body position QArms over head, tuck position, etc.
IT ALL COMES TOGETHER IN THE END
Coach B recommends finishing the lesson by returning to the first trail and letting the client “ski it out.” Tis is also an important component of variable practice because it lets the skier work through any struggles that may arise. While this struggle is the key to why
variable practice is effective, clients might feel that they are not improving. Clueing students into this fact prior to the lesson will let them know that this is intentional and will benefit their skill development. In addition, by providing opportunities to successfully integrate what was practiced
at the end of the lesson, clients will leave feeling competent and confident.
5 VARIABLES FOR VERSATILITY Implementing variable practice is as easy as manipulating five key variables within your current toolkit of drills and exercises: 1. the surface or snow conditions 2. the shape of the turn, 3. the size of the turn, 4. the slope or steepness of terrain, and 5. speed of movement.
By changing things up each run and even within each run, not only will your clients better refine their technique, but they will develop the versatility needed to adapt their movements to a variety of performance conditions.
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(PSLULFDO %DVH RI WKH 9DULDELOLW\ RI 3UDFWLFH +\SRWKHVLV $ &ULWLFDO $QDO\VLV ȋ Human Movement Science, 9
CHARACTERISTICS OF SKIING THAT CAN BE MANIPULATED TO CREATE VARIABLE-PRACTICE EXPERIENCES SURFACE OF SNOW
SHAPE OF TURN Groomed vs. Ungroomed
Type of Snow: Q &RUQ )UR]HQ JUDQXODU Q Ice Q Loose granular Q Wet granular Q Packed powder Q Powder
Types of Surfaces: Q Groomers Q Bumps Q Small Q Medium Q Large
THESNOWPROS.ORG | 85
Q Z – turn Q Rounded Q Rectangular Q Alphabet shapes Q Variable shapes Q Combinations
SIZE OF TURN
Turn Radius: Q Short Q Medium Q Long Q Short to Medium Q Short to Long Q Medium to Long Q Combinations
SLOPE
/HYHO RI 'LɝFXOW\ Q Green Q Blue-Green Q Blue Q Blue-Black Q Black Q Double black Q Combinations
Q Slow Q Medium Q Fast Q Combinations
SPEED OF MOVEMENT
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