CHAPTER 5: TEACHING BEGINNERS
INTRODUCING TURNING: OTHER SUGGESTED TACTICS Students may need some extra help grasping their first turns. The following drills or exercises may help.
1. The Static Rotation Exercise
6. The “Moustache” (Fall Line Edge Change)
To introduce students to the movements required for turning in an environment free of consequence, have them remove their snowboard, and stand on flat terrain. Arrange the students to that the imaginary nose of their boards are pointed in the same direction. As you explain the sequence of movements required for turning, have them try to feel the movements at the same time. Focus on the movements of rotation with the core to initiate, as well as the edging movements with the knees and ankles that will be key in performing their first turns. This exercise can be completed prior to walking through the turns, or as a form of correction.
2. Garland Exercise (“Chicken Turns”) To introduce students to the initiation and completion of turns, have them begin in a traverse on either the toe or heel edge. Initiate rotation by moving the hips downhill slightly, and rotate the body as if starting a turn. As the snowboard approaches the fall line, reverse these movements and focus on rotation away from the fall line, and an increased edge angle to slow the snowboard.
The “Moustache” is an exercise used to help students learn to change edges, without the fear of accelerating in the fall line. It is also useful in getting students to experiment with riding forward, and “switch” (with the opposite foot leading). •
3. J-Turns Revisit the J-Turn from Phase 2: Sliding of the QuickRide Progression. Sometimes having students move back in their progression is a • great way to kick-start forward progress!
4. Walking Through The Turns In order to relate the sequence of movements required for turning, students may find it beneficial to walk through a series of toe and heelside turns, with the board off. This will allow them to visualize and prepare for the next step.
5. The Dance Exercise The Dance Exercise can be completed on nearly flat terrain. To assist with the student’s first heelside turn, with your snowboard removed, stand behind the student (facing uphill and the student’s back). Provide assistance by holding the rider’s lead arm and trailing shoulder. Direct the student to begin the traverse and walk alongside them, verbally directing them through the movement of the turn. For the toeside turn, stand below the student, facing them, and walk them through the turn holding their hands/ arms for balance.
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Initiate movement in the same fashion as the Power Pendulum, allowing the snowboard to move into the fall line (downhill) slightly. Once sufficient speed and momentum has been achieved, have students rotate their core (as well as hips, knees, and feet) toward the uphill direction. Direct the eyes upwards, over the lead shoulder. As the snowboard turns uphill, speed will decrease. Have students feel the base flat on the snow momentarily. As the snowboard begins to slide back downhill, have students apply pressure to the opposite edge, and continue rotation to guide the snowboard across the slope. Hands-on assistance may be required to allow students to successfully accomplish their first attempts. Position yourself uphill from students at the point of their first intended edge change. As they approach you, hold their uphill (lead) hand to stabilize them as they feel the board flat on the snow. As they slide back downhill away from you, direct them to shift pressure to the new edge, and continue to look in the new direction.