TABLE 5.1: COMPONENTS OF A WELL-DEFINED RIDING TASK Open or closed


Turn shape Turn size Direction Turn type Movement pattern


Relationship of the upper body and lower body


Small, medium, or large Forward or switch Skidded or carved Basic or dynamic


Upper body separated or aligned at edge change or other parts of the turn


Including all items from this list isn’t necessary in most situations. For students new to turning, you may only need to cover the turn size that you would like them to try. You could try to set the task up like this: “Let’s work on making larger-radius turns on this terrain, as opposed to only smaller-radius turns.” Assumed in this description is the fact that the turn would be would be basic, skidded, closed, aligned, and forward. As a rider progresses, so does the need to acquire a broader set of tactics and skills for more situations on the mountain. An advanced rider or a peer training for a certification exam may have a very specific outcome to achieve. In those instances, you may describe a task like this, “Let’s work on carved, short-radius, closed, dynamic turns where the upper body is separated at edge change.” Te only descriptor left out is that the rider will be performing the task in a forward direction.


Regardless of the complexity or simplicity of the task, the idea is to make sure that you clearly describe it for your student. Also, be certain that your demonstration aligns with the verbal description.


WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, AND HOW


By answering a few simple questions, you can narrow the scope of your observation to improve your accuracy. Tese questions are important, as they train your eye and your


mind to specific aspects of observing riding, versus casually watching someone ride. ■ “What” refers to actual observations. Are you watching to see the track in the snow, the board performance, the movements the body is making, or a combination of all of these?


■ “Where” refers to your position on the mountain relative to the student (i.e., the observation vantage point). You can observe from the following locations: above, below, or beside. Different vantage points allow you to see different things happening in relation to the turn, desired sequence of a trick, or particular movements.


■ “When” refers to how frequently an instructor might observe a particular movement or movement pattern. Is the rider’s performance consistent or does it vary when situations such as pitch or conditions change on the mountain?


■ “How” refers to your observation method. For example, you can view movements from the top down, board up, or core out. In addition, you can watch the board performances and movements throughout two turns, one turn at a time, or when comparing one turn to the next.


TheSnowPros.org CHAPTER 5: MOVEMENT ANALYSIS 73


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