Hi Bluey,
Jeff Markham talked about "collapsing the stance leg". I've heard HH talk about this too. I've always been confused about flexing versus collapsing. I think HH prefers to use the word collapse.
Hmm.
Yesterday I tried this and didn't have as much luck. When I tried to collapse my stance foot, it just didn't feel as good as flexing the stance foot. I ended up putting too much pressure on the front of the ski, just didn't feel right.
What I do is flex. When I'm getting ready to release, I first balance on the little toe side of my old free foot. I then relax my stance foot, flex it up towards my chest, then start tipping it over.
How does this compare to what you all do?
I made the release my focus towards the end of last year -- so far it's my primary focus this year. I'm also spending more time on the side, doing the release drills.
It's tricky.
When I'm skiing tougher terrain and not feeling it, it's always because my release is off. I'm either stemming a bit to start the new turn, hopping, or a combination of both. But when I release to start the turn, keeping my skis on the ground, no matter the terrain or conditions, that's when I'm feeling it.
But sometimes I feel like I'm doing an up move, when releasing -- flexing my old stance leg up to my chest. When this happens, I try to think about flexing and tipping at the same time. If I flex and tip at the same time, my CM flows moves down the fall line nicely. I still seem to do ok when flexing, then tipping, but the turn always feels better when I flex and tip at the same time.
I can get a nice release on blue runs, or even black runs that aren't too bumpy or steep. But once the terrain gets tougher, that's when my release -- at times -- feels like 2 separate moves. Is this what you all experience?
Speaking of which, off to the Big Show. I'll be thinking about the release!
Be cool,