“‘Maneuver Progression’ will remain a good way to provide a clear overview of ski development as well as giving both the student and teacher common terms to their progression.”


“‘Skill Progression’ will become and has been the critical fashion in which a teacher views his students’ performance in order to accurately assess what the learner is doing, so meaningful guidance can be provided.”


It was believed that the integration of the three skills, in various degrees of intensity, existed in all skiing maneuvers. Te more the overall proficiency of the skier increased, the more all three skills overlapped and interacted. Tis concept of varied degrees of skill overlap was referred to as skill blending.


At the 1979 Interski in Zao, Japan, the U.S. presentation emphasized teaching methodology and a student-centered approach to ski instruction. Tis was a major departure, as most foreign techniques outlined specific teaching progressions that all students had to learn. Teir outcome was for all students to do the same turn in the same manner. In the U.S., students wanted to be good skiers, but they still wanted to express individual style and personality. Upon discovering a student’s desired outcomes, instructors could select the appropriate blend of skills to teach during the lesson.


COMING TO DIFFERENT TERMS


As the years went by, the Skills Concept proved to be an effective way of viewing body movements and the actions of the skis. But as ski equipment evolved and trail grooming increased (which allowed different turn shapes), terminology evolved to meet these needs. Tere also were some schools and PSIA divisions that disagreed with the terminology – edging, turning, and pressure control – and how these were defined. Many variations of the skills began to crop up, especially “turning,” which was often described as “steering” or “rotary.” Te term “balance” was often considered a skill rather than an ability. To address these issues, PSIA’s 1987 American Teaching System manual offered two alternative views.


ALTERNATIVE VIEWS ON THE SKILLS CONCEPT


Skills Concept, View A ■ Controlling pressure ■ Controlling edging ■ Controlling turning ■ Balancing while in motion


Skills Concept, View B


■ Pressure control movements ■ Edging movements ■ Rotary movements ■ Balancing movements


Both views had merit, as the word “movements” highlights the complexity and activity that is needed to create an action, while “control” lends an air of refinement and accuracy. Te point is to realize that the movements of skiing are complex and interwoven, and there are different ways to communicate the Skills Concept effectively.


TheSnowPros.org


FOREWORD: EVOLUTION OF THE SKILLS CONCEPT 9


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