Arm Position: Imperative for Balance

Think of the arm position as a zone that encompasses a 10 inch circle. If the hands move out of the circle, the dynamic balance of the body will be affected. If the balance of the body is depicted by a high diver doing spins and flips on a spring board, we can notice how a winged out arm will cause the body to rotate in the opposite direction. Another example is the ski jumper who uses the extended hands as a air brake to pull the body back in balance. Of course, the balance of the downhill skier is not so adversely affected by the winged out hand, but the fact still remains that if a hand is moved a reaction in balance will be the result.

Pole use in moguls

The pole usage changes when the terrain changes to moguls or double black diamond terrain. This is when the pole used more aggressively. Professionals call this pole plant "blocking". A blocking pole touch is made while the body is in the down position. The pole becomes a sort of split-second fulcrum at the end of the turn. The pole swings out and blocks or stabilizes the body before the next turn is started. The pole momentarily impacts with the snow and gives the body an additional point on the snow with which to establish a recentering of balance. This pole usage is more of a plant than a touch

Alpine Skiing School section in english version of WWW.SKI.BG is based on
"A Guide To Becoming An Expert: From First Time To A Lifetime"
by John Mukavitz Copyright © 1998