Marco Schwarz, Gürgl Slalom: GEPA photos
The Far West Growth Initiative (FWDI), supported by Melissa and Martin Huml, created The Younger Skier’s Information: Fundamentals of Ski Racing to assist the event of U14 racers, nevertheless it advantages all ages. Ron LeMaster’s beautiful images and movies lead the educating, with Ron Kipp’s textual content providing helpful assist. Ski Racing Media is happy to publish 9 articles highlighting the e book’s key ideas. The idea coated on this, the second within the collection, is equal ankle flexion.
The Function of Photomontages
The superb Ron LeMaster photomontages intention to immerse athletes within the photos of ski racers, serving to them internalize the method by their neuromuscular system. Athletes then replicate the “method” their coaches educate, aligned with these ideas.
Equal Ankle Flexion
Sustaining equal ankle flexion in snowboarding is essential to reaching a biomechanically aligned stance, which helps the higher physique face downhill.
Understanding the Ski Flip
Throughout a ski flip, one ski is all the time increased on the slope whereas the opposite is decrease. Because the skier strikes by the flip, the separation between the skis adjustments repeatedly. Protecting equal angles in each ankles all through the flip ensures that the upper ski stays forward of the decrease ski. This positioning permits the pelvis to align effectively, supporting correct flexion and angulation from the pelvis to the shoulders.
The 9 Important Ideas
Listed below are the 9 ideas:
Higher Physique Going through Downhill
Equal Ankle Flexion
Flip Connection/Transition
Inclination
Angulation
Lengthy Leg/Brief Leg
Stress within the Fall-Line
Edge Angle
Steadiness In opposition to the Outdoors Ski
Click on on the picture to enlarge
Is Flexion the Principal Focus?
Though we regularly speak about flexion, what really issues is the stress created in each ankles. Since rigidity is invisible, we observe ankle flexion as a visual indicator.
After we speak about flexion in snowboarding, we’re really specializing in muscle rigidity. Rigidity is the quantity {of electrical} exercise within the muscle mass. Research utilizing electromyography (EMG) present that what units the most effective ski racers aside is the extent of rigidity of their inside ski. When the tibialis anterior muscle dorsiflexes the ankle, it retains the ankle of the inside ski flexed and in a robust, biomechanically aligned place. This rigidity is essential to sustaining that alignment.
Click on on the picture to enlarge
When Ought to This Occur?
Equal ankle flexion is essential all through your entire flip and when linking turns.
Exceptions to the Rule
In instances of utmost edge angles (like dragging knuckles), the within ankle would possibly open up or turn into extra obtuse. This happens as a result of the skier’s pelvis anatomy permits for extra important hip joint flexion within the fore/aft airplane than within the lateral course.
What to Look For
Look ahead to equal flexion in each ankles throughout all flip phases, particularly on the finish or throughout turns extending far past the autumn line. Pay shut consideration if the athlete applies late stress.
Click on on the picture to enlarge
Why Is This Essential?
Unequal ankle flexion places the ski racer in a biomechanically inefficient place, decreasing energy and efficiency.
What Occurs if Flexion Is Unequal?
If the within ankle lacks flexion and rigidity, it may trigger the within ski to guide excessively. This may end up in the within foot advancing unnecessarily through the seek for excessive edge angles. The problem then turns into restoring equal ankle angles to provoke the subsequent flip. Merely pulling the foot again is a brief repair. It’s higher to create the required flexion and rigidity within the inside ankle beforehand to stop it from shifting too far ahead
Widespread Points
Range piping
Backseat positioning
Dropping the hip
Drills to Right the Problem
Push me, pull me
Shuffle turns
Telemark imitation
Extra Suggestions
Watch movies, particularly on the finish of the flip, after passing the gate, and concentrate on these potential issues.
Use cues like “Bend your boot on the instep,” “Make your toe piece heavy,” and “Really feel such as you’re holding a soccer ball.”
