Key Phrases

      Shift weight from ski to ski

    Stay on top of your toes

    Keep torso vertical and square.

    No flailing

 

Why?

Good balance keeps you on your feet, and helps you go in the direction you want to go, forward. Balance allows you to use your strong core muscles to power you. Balance lets you go faster with greater agility, especially down hills.

 

How?

With your weight completely shifted on top of one ski at a time, you can balance indefinitely. Being on top of your toes keeps your weight forward on your feet, which allows you to use core muscles to hold balance and glide. Twisting and tipping your torso can throw off your balance- it is much easier if you stay centered over your skis. Twisting and tipping also direct some of your energy to the sides, which is not the direction you are trying to go.

 

Activities and Games

Start without skis and poles. Balance on one foot in ski position. Close your eyes!

Start standing and jump around a circle 90°, 180°, as far as you can go, try a 360!

Quick! Rollover and get back up!

Partners- link arms, each with only one ski, go down a slight downhill.

  Ski no poles- No flailing. Skate- hold your poles horizontal in front of you- keep them from moving. Pretend you are holding a tray of hot cocoa. Classic- swing arms forward and glide.