Snowboard Learning Progression

Video Review

By Ed Kane

Spring 2001

To fill the need for a video that could be used as a training tool for our snowboard instructors the staff of the Ullr Snowsports School filmed, produced and edited a tape depicting the snowboard learning progression. This homebuilt video is used to supplement the material produced by the AASI. It provides more in the way of visual details, performed by the snowboard instructors, of exercises and learning elements. To be perfectly honest here is what it is and is not: It is an organized collection of video images that illustrates the steps between each of the elements of the “Y” model and it also provides a great deal of footage for in depth movement analysis; It  is not professionally produced video and as such some of the picture quality and editing leaves something to be desired. A copy is available in the office for rental. The author will reproduce additional copies on request for interested members at $7.50 per copy to cover the cost of the tape, postage and handling.

 The tape consists of two segments. Volume 1 consists of The Basics and the second segment contains the elements of Turning and Control though carved turns and free riding. It stresses mostly the elements of the right hand branch of the “Y” model and contains a few elements of the left hand branch such as 360s and some free riding footage borrowed from the AASI tape. It was intended that these materials both be used together to provide adequate training and visual images for instructors to use when preparing for classes and for exams. Specifically, the contents include: Vol I- The Basics- Skating and a number of first gliding exercises with the back foot out of the binding, Side stepping, Straight glide, Traverse, Sideslip, Falling leaf and First single turns; Vol II-Turning and Control- Falling leaf, “J” Turns (fan progression), Linked basic turns, Linked skidded turns, Linked carved turns and Free riding. It is hoped that this material will be of use in training your instructors to better serve the needs of our students.