by DougD » Fri Mar 10, 2017 10:54 am
Good job posting video. As we said on your first thread, video does not lie. I was equally horrified when I saw my first videos. Like all skiers from traditional teaching systems (TTS), your skiing relies on many movements that are less efficient/effective than we try to learn in PMTS.
NOTE: I am not a qualified PMTS coach or expert.
Max_501 (PMTS coach) provided the following MA checklist:
Does the release start by flexing the outside leg? Not consistently. More often, you release the stance ski by standing up on (extending) the inside leg.
Does LTE tipping lead engagement to the new turn? No. You lead engagement by dumping your hip inside. There is no LTE tipping.
Are the feet pulled back at transition? No. Your inside ski slides forward at transition.
Is the inside foot held back throughout the turn? No. Your inside ski leads the outside ski throughout the turn.
Is there enough CB and CA and is the timing right? There is no CB, just leaning inside. CA is better than most TTS skiers, though more/earlier is needed.
Strong inside arm? Better than most TTS skiers.
Is the pelvis included in the CB/CA movement? There is no CB. The CA includes the pelvis, but is initiated late and appears jerky or forced. I believe this late/jerky hip CA results from the hip dump you use at the top of the turn to engage the new edges
Is the inside leg flexed as the turn progresses? No. This essential PMTS movement is missing.
Does the outside leg extend naturally (no pushing) as the turn progresses? No. The outside leg is already fully extended at the top of the turn. From there, it can only flex. This impedes tipping, impairs your ability to manage edge pressure over terrain irregularities and gives your skiing a stiff appearance.
Does LTE tipping continue throughout the turn? There is no LTE tipping.
Is there a pole touch and how is the movement and timing? Some turns yes, some no. The movement and timing are better than most TTS skiers. HOWEVER, since you release by extending and engage by hip-dumping, your pole touch is probably acting as the trigger for these movements. This will make it difficult to learn correct movements. Most TTS skiers (including me) must stop planting their poles altogether for many ski days to break their old movement pattern.
Alignment - watch the skis and knees carefully - does anything look like it needs to be tipped in or out? You ski in an A-frame, on both sides. This makes an efficient narrow stance and LTE tipping impossible. It also puts you at risk for knee strain or injury. The cause may include any or all of the following: improperly fitted boots, improper footbeds, incorrect canting beneath the boot soles. A full assessment by a boot fitting expert is ESSENTIAL. Your current setup will prevent nearly all progress.
Single Most Important Movement
The first movement PMTS skiers must learn is tipping. With your current boot setup, this will be difficult or impossible. Therefore, I recommend a visit to a qualified boot fitter. These are much rarer than you may think. 95% of ski shops have no idea how to fit and align a skier properly. The only PMTS-certified shop in Europe that I've seen mentioned here is Portes du Ski in the Netherlands. I strongly recommend contacting them for boot fitting and alignment. DO NOT IGNORE THIS STEP. The earlier you do this, the faster you'll progress.