Hi Triggerboy, I employed this technique, learned in two previous videos of yours, last weekend and was really impressed by the improvement in my carving. The transition and the carving felt so much better and led to great improvement in my style. When I was doing it right I knew I was doing it right because it just felt so right! Thank you for the help!!!
I think the main issue with understanding the low stance in skiing is that, for many years, it was viewed as a mistake or poor technique by coaches and instructors. However, as you mentioned, Tom, it’s quite the opposite-it’s a valuable technique when applied correctly. The key is to focus on when this low position should occur during a turn, as timing is absolutely crucial. From my perspective, it works best when combined with an edge release type of turn (Improve Your Carving Using Your Knees video). This type of turn involves staying on the outside leg slightly longer, gradually increasing the edge angle, and then quickly releasing the pressure. The timing of this release is critical, as it must align with the transfer of weight and the redirection of your center of mass (CM) into the turn while staying low. Essentially, this movement allows us to take a shortcut with our CM, covering a shorter distance compared to the skis. At the beginning stages of mastering low stance turns, I focus on directing my skis more across the hill while guiding my CM more directly down the fall line. Staying low and dropping the hip into the turn is the most efficient way to “catch up” with the skis and complete the movement effectively.
Notice, It is important not to bend forward (over) at the waist. The "phantom chair " position allows the best posture to properly execute linked turns. Fit, skilled skiers have the best chance with this, as others less skilled and with a low fitness level, will have to sit this one out. Thanks for sharing !
In order to advance, abandoning the defensive intermediate skills is required. Skidding, edge sets at the end of turns, popping up in the transition, holding a static position, and such. There's a cleanness and fluidity to advanced skiing.
in my opinion an excellent skier must master both techniques and use them based on 1) the specific situation of the track and 2) based on his specific body characteristics. I can't find one system that is clearly superior to the other in an absolute way.
Seems like for quick SL transitions : flex to skis flat, then extend knees & hips to be centered by fallline & start of pressure. In GS, knees & hips extension ie CM coming forward relative to feet, ie recentering, can situationally start prior to skis flat.
Yes.... however, in yesterdays Val Disere GS race the transitions were super fast. Watch guys like Zubcic for this kind of transition in GS. Odermat the opposite, extends really a lot. But generally as you said, this is more a SL technique. Thanks for your valuable input here. Tom
Nice analysis - A few points: sometimes ecspecially at a lower level teaching kids to move their hips forward does generaly mean they have to extend upwards slightly ecspecialy when they are not creating WC edge angles. I would think moving upwards slightly is a biproduct of driving the hips over the boots at the top of the turn? Also would you disagree that in GS/Speed there is still a slight extension by top skiers notably Marco Odermatt, thoughts?
I agree. "moving hips forward" is all about anticipation preparing the top of the turn. If you know about hoptraken, it is same movement: knee retraction and hips forward, no "up" movement if you don't want to fly :)
@@travisbacon1974 you can think of it as you would throw legs to the side of the mountain so skis will have longer travel and drop your CM hips to the slope line so you take short cut to catch with the skis
hum words are important here: you should not say "down-up" but instead "backward-forward". The base in skiing is to be centered and stacked in transition. However I agree with you, in competition it is impossible to do so when you deal with very short turns. But you still try to recenter even if you can't, because if you don't do so, you will ENTER the next turn in the backseat. So ask yourself this simple question: when and how do I start to go forward with my Center of Mass? But yes Tom, @1:57, you noted that AT THE SAME TIME the CM "goes up" and they "flex the legs"... a good start from you, even if it is impossible to flex and to go up at the same time ok? :) Nota: I noticed that while free skiing, Chris was pushing a little bit his feet laterally when entering the turn. This is a sign when you are a little bit late: meaning your CM is not placed, not forward enough. Skiing at the level of Chris is all about timing and gaining time to be super active...
yes, but .........as you get older, things don't seem to bend/flex as much and your hip seems to move further and further away from the snow, same with tying one's shoes
Hi Tom! Not sure if we discussed this in your past videos, but I wanted to share my experience with the whole flexing/extending through transition. I don’t really know if it’s the correct approach, but from my experience, flexing through transition is definitely the way to go in steep sections, or in very hard snow/icy sections. For the flatter parts, I find that extending through transition kind of helps me maintain/increase speed, especially in the gates (excluding vertical gates). Although this works for me, I am worried that flexing will also be faster in the flats but I cant do it because I’m not strong enough 😅 Thoughts?
DUUde! My sentiments eXACTly! I've said THIS is the fastest h'way to the next shki/turn for years(!) Ever thought about comin' and coachin' in Canada?!(?!) ⛷️💣💥/🥳😎🤘
I would love to. By the way, have you seen my "Secret move in ski racing" videos from many ears ago? Good to hear you have been applying this in your skiing. Congrats, one step ahead. Cheers, T
Hi Triggerboy, I employed this technique, learned in two previous videos of yours, last weekend and was really impressed by the improvement in my carving. The transition and the carving felt so much better and led to great improvement in my style. When I was doing it right I knew I was doing it right because it just felt so right! Thank you for the help!!!
I think the main issue with understanding the low stance in skiing is that, for many years, it was viewed as a mistake or poor technique by coaches and instructors. However, as you mentioned, Tom, it’s quite the opposite-it’s a valuable technique when applied correctly.
The key is to focus on when this low position should occur during a turn, as timing is absolutely crucial. From my perspective, it works best when combined with an edge release type of turn (Improve Your Carving Using Your Knees video). This type of turn involves staying on the outside leg slightly longer, gradually increasing the edge angle, and then quickly releasing the pressure. The timing of this release is critical, as it must align with the transfer of weight and the redirection of your center of mass (CM) into the turn while staying low.
Essentially, this movement allows us to take a shortcut with our CM, covering a shorter distance compared to the skis. At the beginning stages of mastering low stance turns, I focus on directing my skis more across the hill while guiding my CM more directly down the fall line. Staying low and dropping the hip into the turn is the most efficient way to “catch up” with the skis and complete the movement effectively.
Notice, It is important not to bend forward (over) at the waist. The "phantom chair " position allows the best posture to properly execute linked turns.
Fit, skilled skiers have the best chance with this, as others less skilled and with a low fitness level, will have to sit this one out.
Thanks for sharing !
In order to advance, abandoning the defensive intermediate skills is required. Skidding, edge sets at the end of turns, popping up in the transition, holding a static position, and such. There's a cleanness and fluidity to advanced skiing.
in my opinion an excellent skier must master both techniques and use them based on 1) the specific situation of the track and 2) based on his specific body characteristics. I can't find one system that is clearly superior to the other in an absolute way.
Seems like for quick SL transitions : flex to skis flat, then extend knees & hips to be centered by fallline & start of pressure.
In GS, knees & hips extension ie CM coming forward relative to feet, ie recentering, can situationally start prior to skis flat.
I extend a lot; but, use the inside leg for stability on ice. Working on this and waiting for a condition that will support this.
Do you find more full body extensions in GS as there is more time between turns and bigger angles with leg extensions in turns.
Yes.... however, in yesterdays Val Disere GS race the transitions were super fast. Watch guys like Zubcic for this kind of transition in GS. Odermat the opposite, extends really a lot. But generally as you said, this is more a SL technique. Thanks for your valuable input here. Tom
Nice analysis - A few points: sometimes ecspecially at a lower level teaching kids to move their hips forward does generaly mean they have to extend upwards slightly ecspecialy when they are not creating WC edge angles. I would think moving upwards slightly is a biproduct of driving the hips over the boots at the top of the turn?
Also would you disagree that in GS/Speed there is still a slight extension by top skiers notably Marco Odermatt, thoughts?
The ‘moving hips forward’ is difficult for me to understand. Do you know of any videos showing or explaining that movement?
Thanks
I agree. "moving hips forward" is all about anticipation preparing the top of the turn.
If you know about hoptraken, it is same movement: knee retraction and hips forward, no "up" movement if you don't want to fly :)
@@travisbacon1974 you can think of it as you would throw legs to the side of the mountain so skis will have longer travel and drop your CM hips to the slope line so you take short cut to catch with the skis
hum words are important here: you should not say "down-up" but instead "backward-forward". The base in skiing is to be centered and stacked in transition. However I agree with you, in competition it is impossible to do so when you deal with very short turns. But you still try to recenter even if you can't, because if you don't do so, you will ENTER the next turn in the backseat. So ask yourself this simple question: when and how do I start to go forward with my Center of Mass?
But yes Tom, @1:57, you noted that AT THE SAME TIME the CM "goes up" and they "flex the legs"... a good start from you, even if it is impossible to flex and to go up at the same time ok? :)
Nota: I noticed that while free skiing, Chris was pushing a little bit his feet laterally when entering the turn. This is a sign when you are a little bit late: meaning your CM is not placed, not forward enough. Skiing at the level of Chris is all about timing and gaining time to be super active...
yes, but .........as you get older, things don't seem to bend/flex as much and your hip seems to move further and further away from the snow, same with tying one's shoes
😂
I hear you. Same situation for me nowadays. T
Hi Tom!
Not sure if we discussed this in your past videos, but I wanted to share my experience with the whole flexing/extending through transition. I don’t really know if it’s the correct approach, but from my experience, flexing through transition is definitely the way to go in steep sections, or in very hard snow/icy sections. For the flatter parts, I find that extending through transition kind of helps me maintain/increase speed, especially in the gates (excluding vertical gates). Although this works for me, I am worried that flexing will also be faster in the flats but I cant do it because I’m not strong enough 😅
Thoughts?
DUUde! My sentiments eXACTly! I've said THIS is the fastest h'way to the next shki/turn for years(!) Ever thought about comin' and coachin' in Canada?!(?!) ⛷️💣💥/🥳😎🤘
I would love to. By the way, have you seen my "Secret move in ski racing" videos from many ears ago? Good to hear you have been applying this in your skiing. Congrats, one step ahead. Cheers, T