I like the plow-javelin-turns. Because it is easier to find the balance on the edge of the outside ski. Also helpful is the idea of steering the outside ski under the inside ski instead of lifting the inside ski over the outside ski. This new series of videos is fantastic again - but I think you already know, I enjoy it 😂😉
At the end of your time in Bariloche you should definitely contemplate making a short video of all the demonstration clips shown by the instructors. They're near perfect and very satisfying. Regarding the javelin exercise (and to a larger extent, snowplow/Stem turns), I personnaly think that it can often introduce bad habits although what it aims to teach is definitely worth doing the exercise. I find that when executed under it's original, non-variant form such as the one seen here, it can lead to over-angulation, impatient edging for pressure, problematic inside leg position as well as edging and, more importantly, a tendancy to literally stay on top of the outside ski with the body and a lack of toppling. These are obviously avoidable symptoms when participants consciously understand what the drill aims to achieve but can still be interiorised. In my opinion, skiers should try and move towards a harder variant of this drill as soon as possible. This variant starts by lifting the inside ski to commence the turn, instead of doing so after commencing it. Afterwards, the most imortant thing is to try and get the same edge angle as the outside whilst either placing the hook of the ski (what I call the hook here is the left edge of the inside ski (on a left turn in this case) just after the tip) in the snow on the inside of the turn (or as close as possible to this) or over the outside ski in the exact same way geri did it (with the edge tipping towards the inside) even though I believe the first option to be better. I believe it introduces a sense of toppling and inside edge control whilst having all the benefits of the javelin turn and eliminating it's negative sides that I stated. It is however, clearly less beginner friendly. What is your opinion on this? Do you agree with the stated negative sides of stem, snowplow and javelin turns and what do you think about this variant (if I managed to present it correctly)? Anyways, thanks a lot for for the content and the reply if you can find the time.
Thanks for the in depth comment. I feel this is best answered when Geri and I look over all the comments and answer you better on a discussion on a future Podcast.
Nice to see this drill, Geri! I found interesting the "plow for each level" idea; it challenges some of my skiing philosophies. :) Improvement for the audio editing team of the clips: the audio is a bit low; and the left and right channels seem swapped. Thanks a lot for the content!
Watching Geri's demo in comparison to the students' work, I notice three things: 1) Geri takes much more time to lift the inside ski and he seems to do it quite a bit later than the students do, with exception of the skier in white, and 2) it appears to me as if he sometimes leaves a little bit of weight on the tail of the inside ski (you can see a bit of spray) as he begins to lift the tip , and 3) Geri's lifting of the inside ski seems to be timed in coordination with bending of the downhill knee as a simultaneous action (bicycle analogy), whereas the students are separating these two movements - sometimes pretty drastically. I find that #2 and #3 are most apparent in the slow motion cuts of Geri's demo.
All provided they have decent foot beds and ski boot setup that don't hurt their skiing. Most of them are knock-kneed. I know when a person's feet and anatomy are made for skiing; when they skii rental boots with no foot beds and everything lines up; Weak glutes, weak muscles + poor alignment = Poor performance. It's a shame most instructors and coaches don't see this as their problem they just look to the boot fitter. I think all instructors should know about boot fitting and alignment otherwise it's not a holistic approach.
The most beautiful Arm setup. Gary's elbow is in line with his chest? 7:42
I like the plow-javelin-turns. Because it is easier to find the balance on the edge of the outside ski. Also helpful is the idea of steering the outside ski under the inside ski instead of lifting the inside ski over the outside ski. This new series of videos is fantastic again - but I think you already know, I enjoy it 😂😉
At the end of your time in Bariloche you should definitely contemplate making a short video of all the demonstration clips shown by the instructors. They're near perfect and very satisfying.
Regarding the javelin exercise (and to a larger extent, snowplow/Stem turns), I personnaly think that it can often introduce bad habits although what it aims to teach is definitely worth doing the exercise. I find that when executed under it's original, non-variant form such as the one seen here, it can lead to over-angulation, impatient edging for pressure, problematic inside leg position as well as edging and, more importantly, a tendancy to literally stay on top of the outside ski with the body and a lack of toppling. These are obviously avoidable symptoms when participants consciously understand what the drill aims to achieve but can still be interiorised. In my opinion, skiers should try and move towards a harder variant of this drill as soon as possible. This variant starts by lifting the inside ski to commence the turn, instead of doing so after commencing it. Afterwards, the most imortant thing is to try and get the same edge angle as the outside whilst either placing the hook of the ski (what I call the hook here is the left edge of the inside ski (on a left turn in this case) just after the tip) in the snow on the inside of the turn (or as close as possible to this) or over the outside ski in the exact same way geri did it (with the edge tipping towards the inside) even though I believe the first option to be better. I believe it introduces a sense of toppling and inside edge control whilst having all the benefits of the javelin turn and eliminating it's negative sides that I stated. It is however, clearly less beginner friendly.
What is your opinion on this? Do you agree with the stated negative sides of stem, snowplow and javelin turns and what do you think about this variant (if I managed to present it correctly)?
Anyways, thanks a lot for for the content and the reply if you can find the time.
Thanks for the in depth comment. I feel this is best answered when Geri and I look over all the comments and answer you better on a discussion on a future Podcast.
Nice to see this drill, Geri!
I found interesting the "plow for each level" idea; it challenges some of my skiing philosophies. :)
Improvement for the audio editing team of the clips: the audio is a bit low; and the left and right channels seem swapped.
Thanks a lot for the content!
Sorry for the audio - we are returning home and back to our studio so sound will improve shortly
Watching Geri's demo in comparison to the students' work, I notice three things: 1) Geri takes much more time to lift the inside ski and he seems to do it quite a bit later than the students do, with exception of the skier in white, and 2) it appears to me as if he sometimes leaves a little bit of weight on the tail of the inside ski (you can see a bit of spray) as he begins to lift the tip , and 3) Geri's lifting of the inside ski seems to be timed in coordination with bending of the downhill knee as a simultaneous action (bicycle analogy), whereas the students are separating these two movements - sometimes pretty drastically. I find that #2 and #3 are most apparent in the slow motion cuts of Geri's demo.
Well observed Richard.
All provided they have decent foot beds and ski boot setup that don't hurt their skiing. Most of them are knock-kneed. I know when a person's feet and anatomy are made for skiing; when they skii rental boots with no foot beds and everything lines up; Weak glutes, weak muscles + poor alignment = Poor performance. It's a shame most instructors and coaches don't see this as their problem they just look to the boot fitter. I think all instructors should know about boot fitting and alignment otherwise it's not a holistic approach.
Nice insight Jeet,