h.harb wrote:A "Traditional System" like the one PSIA uses, (it's not their system BTW) has to announce continually "We have something new" this year.
Huh... Interesting, but not surprising.
Harald, do you know who or where that PSIA system (I have a lot of trouble even calling it that... it's more of a "bag" of disconnected ideas and drills) came from? Is it just borrowed or copied from something else, or many other something else's?
Have to say... I took a USSA Course Setting clinic earlier this week. The course conductor was a bit of fresh air for me, as he said a few things that I was relieved to hear.
He hates the phrase "pole plant." He prefers pole tap or touch, to emphasize that it isn't a big swinging movement, and it's NOT used to "bring your hips forward."
At least six times, he complained about most other coaches in general, saying they really don't know what the hell they're doing, putting kids on the wrong terrain, teaching the wrong things, they can't even ski at the level they're attempting to coach others how to do... Whenever I hear an instructor or coach complaining that much about other coaches, I instantly pay closer attention, because it's likely that they have a better idea of what they're talking about. The worst coaches and instructors seem to praise PSIA and USSA and worship their examiners and the resources PSIA/USSA puts out, like their stupid "drill cards" to carry in your pocket, etc.
The better coaches seem to express a lot of frustration with popular traditional coaching and instruction.
He loves using poles as a Hip-o-meter with kids, as a way to "integrate" (his word) upper body movements with the edging and balancing movements (his words) of the feet and legs...
He hates how much "rotary" is used and emphasized in any kind of ski instruction, especially racing...