integrating the science of expert performance and practice with modern ski racing
Giant Slalom
Giant Slalom
The Giant Slalom (GS) progression does not have the added complexities of gate contact. The progression starts the same way as free skiing and panel slalom. Our goal is to slow the correct technique down so that the brain can digest the basics. We will employ the same feedback loop that we have built above. We will start with sets of 10-15 gates at 18 to 25 meters. The slope should be divided up into multiple sets. The first laps that we run will be aided by brushes and/or dye.
Our goal is to over-exaggerate the line. Very high and round. Jamming at the bottom of the turn must be avoided. It is important to take the initiation deep into the turn, i.e., the athlete must be patient and wait until the rise line before beginning the turn. The first laps must be kept at a slow speed so that the athlete can process the line. It is crucial that this stage be executed correctly. We must hold the skiers back from racing. If we do not get the line correct at this point, a lot more time will be spent in the future correcting avoidable mistakes rather than improving on the athlete's skills.
We will employ the same feedback loop that we have built in previous drills. The athlete should not only be looking for their best turn, but also the turn that they did not have to pinch or adjust line.
They should stop and take the time to review, prune and correct. Take an additional 30 seconds to focus at the top of the next set. Taking this time is crucial. The brain is myelinating the synapses that have just fired. We need to make sure that it is the correct synapse. Video review is a crucial tool for athletes to determine what a clean line looks like and equate that to what it felt like. When athletes have a good feeling for the correct line for them, you can start to add terrain and rhythm changes to the training. The training starts to look very traditional after this point; but bear in mind, you will have to go back to this GS Progression drill several times throughout the season as a refresher.