Goal
- Controlled drift turn with weight shifting
- Speed control
Where
Gentle slope (blue run); well-prepared, grippy piste
How
From the traverse, shift weight onto the front foot, then apply a knee impulse downhill. This torsions the board and initiates the turn toward the fall line. Just before entering the fall line, the edge change is completed. However, the weight remains on the front foot until the snowboard has fully turned into the fall line. From this point on, the edge angle is gradually increased and the weight is slowly shifted back onto both legs. This allows the turn to be steered smoothly and fully.
Since the upper body is held under tension and follows the knee impulse, a slight forward rotation occurs. Throughout the turn, the neutral riding stance is maintained.
Methodical progression
For this turn, there are two different teaching approaches:
Holistic method (turning/edge change)
- Falling leaf (toeside and heelside)
- Turning/edge change from switch riding (approach toeside → heelside turn) – this exercise is also called the 3-turn
- Turning/edge change from sliding in the fall line (approach toeside → heelside turn)
- Turning/edge change from sliding out of the fall line (approach toeside → heelside turn)
- Turning/edge change from switch riding (approach heelside → toeside turn) – 3-turn
- Turning/edge change from sliding in the fall line (approach toeside → heelside turn)
- Turning/edge change from sliding out of the fall line (approach toeside → heelside turn)
- Linking turns together
- Varying speed, turn radius, and terrain
Common thread
- Demonstration of the finished movement and adapted technical explanation
- Stationary exercise: practice weight shifting and knee impulse while standing with the snowboard strapped in
- Practice in the traverse: during traversing, practice shifting weight onto the front foot (a slight wave track may occur)
- Turn toward the slope: build up using a turn fan to gradually reduce fear. At this stage no edge change is made! The snowboard instructor provides assistance when setting off
- Wave: practice initiating and braking through weight shifting
- Single turn with partner assistance
- Single turn without partner assistance
- Linking turns together
- Variation of speed, turn radius, and terrain