Here…… Can I show you? (Using the Two Point Hold)
I am remembering a snowy afternoon in the middle of winter a few years ago. The light was flat, that “just before the night skiing lights come on” flat. The half a dozen or so level II alpine candidates were cold, wet and tired, as was I, their fearless leader. We had successfully practiced and gained skills with most of the required level II skiing tasks. One thing left to nail down was maintaining a strong inside half. Some of the group had it but a few just would/could not change direction without driving the outside hip around and then wondering why they lost edge contact on the outside ski.
I knew I was providing a decent demo, We did it slow, medium, from front, from back, from both sides, worked on it in wedge turns and wedge Christies, open parallel, had others in the group demo, I got up close and personal with hands on positioning between practice runs. But for some reason a couple in the group were not “getting” it.
As I started to admit to myself that I just might have to let this one go for now, it donned on me that I was being linear in my teaching technique. Why not make use of all of the goodies in my bag-o-tricks? What had been floating around in that bag, just out of reach or should I say just out of sight was the trusty old “two point hold”.
The two point hold is a great method of giving hands on information about stance and body positioning while moving. It can also be used to aid a frightened student off a run above their skill or comfort level. (I highly recommend that you take a clinic on two point hold before attempting it with a student!)
The technique is quite simple and effective when done correctly. You, the instructor slide up behind the student and place your stronger leg/ski between the skis of the student. Be sure to get the students permission before attempting the maneuver. You then place your hand on either the hip and or the knee of the student, grabbing pant and coat for grip. You then start slowly in a wedge at first and then to a wedge Christie when appropriate. With your hands on the knee and hip you can then help coach the body into the desired position while sliding.
A little practice on the green run yielded great success. The instructors that did not change body position before, were able to feel the more effective, (though awkward at first) position. This new position transitioned into an efficient movement pattern on a “free” run to finish up the clinic. We finished on an up note and I did not have to choose between my ego and the comfort of those in my charge.
The adaptive community has made use of the two point hold for many years. I would like to suggest that the non adaptive instructor may be able to make use of it as well. So I would like to take this opportunity to invite you to take an adaptive clinic this winter.
The Adaptive committee has been selected to have some divisional clinics underwritten through funds from the Jim Lucas Memorial Fund. We will be offering several adaptive clinics throughout the winter season. Some of the possible topics will be: introduction to adaptive, adaptive techniques for the non adaptive instructor, adaptive snowboard, Nordic and others. We will be offering clinics in Western Washington, Eastern Washington and Oregon. Stay tuned for locations and dates.
As always send me an email if you have any questions or comments about adaptive snow sport instruction. I know some of the answers and have a lot of smart friends for the rest.
Email = johnstevenson@skiforall.org