Children’s Tip by Kim Petram
Developing efficient movement patterns in children is encouraged but we all know how hard that can be at times given a child’s physical and cognitive developmental stage. The ability to actively steer the inside leg is an efficient movement pattern that is encouraged early in alpine skiers.
The next time you have a novice skier try this when you are ready to introduce steering (assuming you have successfully navigated through flatland maneuvers already): in your area’s beginning zone with terrain that has only the mildest pitch have your student do a gliding wedge focusing on a narrow wedge with flat skies. Identify a landmark for the child to steer towards for right turns and left turns. From the narrow gliding wedge on flat skis have your student steer (turn, point) their inside foot from the glide towards the landmark.
They will naturally turn in this direction, you don’t have to coach the nuances of inside versus outside leg, setting the child up for success by telling them what to steer their foot towards will be sufficient. Repeat this movement often, alternating between left and right turns, reinforcing the steering movement by doing one turn only at a time. Usually, the child does not realize that they are focusing on only the inside leg but you are encouraging dynamic movements that set the foundation for future growth.
Once the child can steer in both directions in a narrow wedge and on flat skis then add linking the turns together with a new focus of steering both feet and legs in the directions of intent.
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