FasterSkier · May 20, 2004
Greater Experiences through specific training of skating techniques.
Technical training is still a widely neglected issue. However, only the skiers who consciously deal with the skating motion and who work methodologically are able to improve their movement competence.
Technical training happens in the head and in the body (sensory system). The quality of the actual movement is dependent on the quality of the movement imagination on all sensory levels and the amount of information processed during the movement.
The respective level of information processing also determines the methodological progress: Beginners are confronted with a variety of problems. What are the components of the movement? What should they focus on first? In order to control this flood of information and thus avoid overloading, it is necessary to limit the amount of information. Starting from what is already known, beginners practice the whole movement in easy conditions and at a slow pace first.
Advanced skiers can focus on specific parts of the movement (e.g.: practicing the push-off according to the partial method). Skiers should only concentrate at a maximum of two elements at a time.
Experts often face a different situation. Their motions are stable and fixed. They have been training the same for years. A lack of coordinative challenges and stimuli leads to stagnation and to inflexible movement patterns.
Technique has to be destabilized through permanently changing demands and intense variation in order to be stabilized again at a higher level. Training technique means to consciously, actively, and creatively work on your movements.
The motions of cross country skiing in both classical and skating style include a variety of striding techniques and variants all of which are based on three main principles:
Giving impulses — receiving impulses — in a rhythmic sequence
in other terms:
controlled push-off — solid glide — rhythm
In the following you can find some easier basic practical exercises for the early season:
Sample exercises to improve the basic elements of skating (Fotos LINDINGER ):
www.torbjornsport.com. One of the greatest advantages of the CD-ROM is that its users can easily navigate through the menus of the different aspects of skating techniques and technical training. In the section “Methods — the exercises†each drill is described (print out possible) and directly linked to a video sequence, which illustrates the movement and the aim of the exercise (over 200 videos for the different aspects of skating). Combining quick retrieval of information and dynamic portrayal of skating movements, “Perfect Skating†is a highly practical tool for the training of skating technique. The authors: Dr. Stefan Lindinger: Sports scientist at the Department of Sport Science and Kinesiology, University of Salzburg / Austria with the main fields advanced biomechanics / kinesiology / science of training in cross-country skiing; special focus on new methods in technical training; state-certified cross-country skiing coach; responsible in trainers’ education in Austria; technique analysis projects with the Norwegian Ski Association 1997-1999 (Coaches: Ulf Morten Aune (now sprint coach); Erik R?ste (this time’s chief coach)) for Ph.D.; cooperation (teaching in trainers’ education, training projects, research) with the ski associations of Sweden and Switzerland since 2002 and 1999, respectively.
Dr. Walter Minatti: Director of Cross Country Skiing at STAMS Skiing High School / Tyrol / Austria; Sports scientist and psychologist; main responsible for trainers’ education in Austria.
Both published the CD-Rom `Perfect Skating?:
