Creating Turning Power Through Outrigger Use

PSIA Adaptive Committee

Written by Neil Lundberg – PSIA-I

Over the past year there has been a significant amount of discussion about how the mono-ski can be most effectively and efficiently turned, and what role the outriggers play in this turning movement. This question not only applies to mono-skiers, but to anyone using outriggers to compensate for limited turning power in their feet and or legs.  PSIA’s Visual Cues to Effective Skiing provides a fresh approach for outrigger usage. The Visual Cues to Effective Skiing will be used as a reference point throughout this paper.

The Visual Cues to Effective Skiing are a compilation of fundamental movements that represent good skiing at any level.  These basic movements are the foundation of good skiing; regardless of what equipment a skier uses, including adaptive equipment.

In an attempt to determine effective and efficient methods of compensating for limited turning power in the feet and legs, Rotary Movement Cues from the Visual Cues to Effective Skiing have proved to be insightful. The following table illustrates several applicable effective and ineffective Rotary Movement Cues.

Regardless of whether your student uses a mono-ski or other adaptive ski equipment, the Rotary Movement Cues can be used as a visual reference to determine if your student is effectively turning his or her ski(s).   For skiers using adaptive equipment it may be necessary to modify how rotary forces are generated, but the end result should be consistent with the Effective Rotary Movement Cues.

To turn the ski effectively, rotary movements are generated in the feet and legs; however, many skiers using adaptive equipment do not have this option due to their disability.  Two alternatives to generate turning movements are currently in use.  The most common alternative is to rotate or twist from the lowest functional muscle group, thereby creating a turning force on the ski.  In the second method, commonly known as differential friction, the skier uses the inside outrigger to create a friction point, thus allowing the lower body and the ski to rotate in the direction of the turn.  Neither of these options, when relied upon as the sole source of rotation, produces overall body movements or turning of the skis that falls in line with the Effective Rotary Movement Cues.  However, each of these alternative rotary sources has its appropriate place in the skill development of skiers using adaptive equipment.

To be more consistent with effective rotary movements it is recommended that beginning mono-skiers initially use outrigger friction to create their first turns.  Using outrigger friction to create beginning level turns will help the skier turn the ski under a stable upper body.  It will also help the skier avoid ineffective rotary movements such as initiating the turn with the shoulders or torso.

When using outrigger friction to create beginner level turns several Ineffective Rotary Movement Cues must be given particular attention.  It is important the use of friction not lead to; pivoting throughout the turn, the skis turning too quickly, causing overturning, or the skis not turning fast enough, causing underturning.  These ineffective movement patterns can be avoided by encouraging beginning mono-skiers to be more bilateral in their outrigger usage.

Bilateral outrigger use refers to the use of both outriggers when learning the fundamental skills, regardless of the method of skiing. This approach is in contrast to a unilateral outrigger approach which predominately focuses on the inside outrigger.  By focussing solely on one outrigger, beginning skiers are often  out-of-balance in an edge-lock or railed ski position with far too much pressure on the inside outrigger.  In this position the skier has lost effective control of the mono-ski.

To avoid edge-lock problems, promote a more centered stance so the skier has a flat-ski platform from which to turn.  This can be accomplished by having the skier maintain pressure on both outriggers, a bilateral focus, when preparing to make his or her first turns.

A bilateral outrigger focus should carry over into a skier’s first turns easily because it has been a focus of previous skill development.  Students should have already practiced bilateral outrigger movements, e.g., straight run exercises using both outriggers to maintain a balance stance, braking exercises to control speed, etc.  The following statements illustrate how bilateral outrigger movements can be emphasized when teaching a mono-skier or other students using outriggers to facilitate turning.

First turns are accomplished from a gliding straight run as the skier points both outriggers in the direction of the turn.

·        Friction is initially generated on the tail-end or brake of the outrigger.

·        Friction is greater on the inside outrigger, thus creating a turning force.

·        Light pressure on the outside outrigger facilitates a centered stance, but creates as little friction as possible.

Linked turns are accomplished as both outriggers are more actively steered in the direction of the new turn.

·        Friction continues to be generated predominately from the brake of the outrigger, but the student is encouraged to explore friction generated from the edge of the outrigger.  This may require the brake screw to be slightly shortened.

·        Friction continues to be greater on the inside outrigger.

·        More active steering of the outriggers implies that both outriggers move in the direction of the turn, thus moving the shoulders toward the turn.

·        Although both outriggers are steered in the direction of the turn, the inside shoulder, hand, and rigger lead in the turn, reducing shoulder rotation and over steering.

·        Light pressure on the outside rigger continues to facilitate a centered stance.

Intermediate to advanced linked turns are accomplished with an increased focus on inside rigger use and less reliance on friction to initiate turns.

·        Friction is now generated from the edge of the outrigger, requiring that the brake screw continue to be shortened or removed.

·        The inside outrigger is actively steered in the direction of the turn. 

·        The outrigger movement is similar to a pole swing movement with a light touch.

·        Inside outrigger friction at turn initiation is light and momentary.

·        Friction movements are enhanced by counter motion of the upper and lower body thus placing the skier in an appropriate anticipated/countered position.

·        Outside outrigger pressure is present primarily during the last of the controlling stage, orienting pressure to the outside and movement down the hill.

Short radius and utility turns are accomplished with strong inside rigger friction.

·        Turn the outrigger perpendicular to the ski creating friction with the entire edge of the outrigger.

·        Use outriggers and muscular tension to keep upper body pointed down the fall-line.

·        Exaggerate up and down movements to weight and unweight the ski.

·        Eliminate pressure/friction on the outside outrigger.

These suggestions are not intended to be all-inclusive, but are examples of adaptive movements using the Effective Rotary Movement Cues. These examples also illustrate ways in which both bilateral and unilateral outrigger movements will assist skiers in effectively turning the ski(s).  

In summary: bilateral outrigger movements encourage more awareness of the outside outrigger, which enhances a centered stance for the beginning skier.  Bilateral outrigger movements are effective rotary movements because they encourage a stable upper body and through the use of friction allow the ski(s) to be guided underneath the upper body.

Bilateral outrigger movements also encourage the appropriate use of torso rotation by creating counter motion between the upper and lower body.  Counter motion will be accomplished as the outriggers and shoulders are steered in the direction on the turn as the lower body and ski finish the turn.  As the skier effectively learns to link turns this anticipated body position should begin to play a more dominant role in the initiation of turns and friction techniques should be decreased.

Bilateral outrigger movements will also assist skiers in the accomplishment of other effective movements contained in the Visual Cues to Effective Skiing.

·        The shoulders, hips and hands are level as the skier comes through the turn, to keep the body from tipping in.

·        The inside hand, shoulder, and hip lead through the turn.

·        Both hands are in front of the body.

When using the outriggers bilaterally, instructors should encourage the following movements; focus on gliding not braking movements with the outriggers, help skiers efficiently move their center of mass in the direction of the new turn, help skiers eliminate inefficient rotary movements at turn initiation.  Bilateral outrigger use will also enhance a good balance stance for the beginning skier and give them skills that can be built upon as they continue to improve.

Instructors are encouraged to review the Visual Cues to Effective Skiing to determine the effectiveness of movements and skills being taught, particularly those movements which apply to generating turning forces for students using adaptive equipment.