Skill development
BY DUSTIN SEMB
SNOWBOARD DCL/EXAMINER
The idea behind skill development is that we learn new things piece by piece. Before sliding we need to balance on the equipment. Before learning to turn we must learn to engage and release our edge(s), then balance on edge. Next we learn to steer the tool, while edging and balancing. Now we are turning. As we learn new maneuvers, we go through a cycle of skills (balance, edging, steering and combining them). When teaching new stuff, we create a logical progression or use one we have seen that addresses skill development in order to successfully perform the new maneuver. Start with something simple and take small steps building the skills needed to achieve the goal. The steps should make sense and head directly towards what the end outcome is. Skill development is how we learn to ride, therefore we should be teaching by it. Some examples of skill developing “tasks” are listed here. These are just some ideas. Feel free to alter them or create your own.
After determining the way your student is utilizing the skills they have, you may want to enhance or alter the movements used in those skills. The ideas given are some tools, “tasks” to work on certain movements while focusing on one or more aspects of these skills. At every ability level these skills create the outcome that perform on the snow or in the air. The more efficient you are with these skills, the easier it will be for you to get the outcome you want. In other words start small if you want to go big.