Ted Ligety Birds of Prey Photo: GEPA Pictures

The Far West Development Initiative (FWDI), supported by Melissa and Martin Huml, created The Young Skier’s Guide: Fundamentals of Ski Racing to support the development of U14 racers, but fortunately, it benefits all ages. Ron LeMaster’s stunning photos and videos lead the teaching, with Ron Kipp’s text offering valuable support. Ski Racing Media is pleased to publish nine articles highlighting the book’s key concepts. The concept covered in this article is “Long Leg/ Short Leg,” the sixth in the series.

The Role of Photos and Photomontages

The amazing Ron LeMaster photos aim to immerse athletes in the images of ski racers, helping them internalize the technique through their neuromuscular system. Athletes then replicate the “technique” their coaches teach, aligned with these concepts.

The Nine Essential Concepts

1. Upper Body Facing Downhill
2. Equal Ankle Flexion
3. Turn Connection/Transition
4. Inclination
5. Angulation
6. Long Leg/Short Leg
7. Pressure in the Fall-Line
8. Edge Angle
9. Balance Against the Outside Ski

Click on images to enlarge

Long leg/Short leg

Explanation:

To create an outside ski edge angle, the skier shortens the inside leg by flexing the hip and knee, creating the space to allow the outside leg and ski to move laterally.

Long/short description:

A long leg is a common term for a leg that is more extended than a flexed or short leg.     

Why a long extended outside leg?:

The straighter leg is biomechanically stronger due to the femur (upper leg) stacking on or more in line with the tibia/fibula (lower leg). Also, the center-of-mass moves toward the turn’s geometric axis of rotation due to the outside leg extension or lengthening. According to the law of conservation of angular rotation, the skier maintains speed or may even increase speed by extending the leg.

Why a short flexed inside leg?:

During high-edge angles, the changing leg length is most apparent. A limiting factor of these high-edge angles is when the inside leg restricts the lateral movement of the outside leg. However, the “shortening” of the inside leg allows lateral outside leg movement. Flexion of the hip, along with concurrent knee flexing, creates this movement. It’s also important to note that the concept of equal ankle flexion may break down at the highest edge angles. The inside foot must move forward to accommodate the outside ski and boot pressure. However, tension in both ankles is essential. Since the hip flexes much more in the fore/aft (sagittal) plane than in the lateral (frontal) plane, the concept of “upper body facing downhill” is essential.

Caveat to a straightening leg:

If the skier pushes the skis with too much vigor, the skis penetrate the snow surface more than needed, increasing friction and slowing the skier. Overpushing can also cause the skis to shift from the intended radius, leading to a new, unintended radius, which slows the skier further.

When to lengthen the outside and shorten the inside leg:

Coinciding with increasing angulation.

Exceptions:

Straighter turns like a flush.

What to look for:

A straight or straightening outside leg coinciding with flexing the inside leg’s hip and knee as the turn develops from inclination to gate passage (fall line).

Why a long outside leg/short inside leg:

A long, strong (straighter) outside leg creates very strong “skeletal stacking,” creating room for the outside ski to tip up to the desired edge angle.

How it will look if the inside leg is not retracted:

Pressure on the inside ski and banking.

What happens if not executed properly:

A reduced edge angle results

Synonyms of long leg/short leg:

Pedaling.

Drills:

White Pass turn, Javelin, Skiing moguls. Show you bases. Knee to boot.

Talking points or cues:

“Feel like you are pedaling a bicycle” (reportedly heard from Ted Ligety), “Balance a glass of water on your inside thigh.”