"Backpedaling" Bump Technique

[Greg]

There's a thread over on Epic on this technique. In that thread a member posted this pic:

That animation really intrigued me (and no, not because I have the body of a stick figure too ). Anyway, that animation demonstrates a bump technique called "backpedaling". This is the first time I've seen absorbtion and extension in the bumps shown in this way, but if you can imagine what this "backpedaling" technique feels like then you understand what good A&E in the bumps feels like. Often times, people describe A&E of good bump skiers as a piston-like up-and-down movement. This cross-section clearly shown a different, more fluid movement. Those times when I've nailed a bump run with good A&E it was more likely a result if this type of movement. The problem is I never really intentionally approached a run with this backpedaling technique in mind, but I can't wait to practice it now this season.

Thoughts?

 

[2knees]

I read that thread about 4 times and while the animation is clear, i get lost in the technical discussion. A bit over my head. Maybe i just need pictures and not words, lol. but it is definitely something i'm going to try to be more aware of this year.

 

[Big Game]

Interesting. I'll have to see if some of those principles that can work on a board.

 

[Greg]

I read that thread about 4 times and while the animation is clear, i get lost in the technical discussion. A bit over my head. Maybe i just need pictures and not words, lol. but it is definitely something i'm going to try to be more aware of this year.

No kidding. Dan Dipiro replied over there and even his head was spinning. That animation tells me all I need to know about the technique. The extension part is really clear there. Once you feel how driving your skis down the backside (or is it front-side?) of the bump truly does help you control your speed, it all sort of clicks. By envisioning this as sort of pedaling a bike backwards (with your feet together following the same downward rotation, of course) it becomes clearer to me. You can feel when you're doing it right, and if you had to describe the sensation to somebody, this is one way to do it. Of course you need to be in a balanced position and have had to effectively absorbed the face of the bump to be able to extend appropriately. Putting it all together consistently is where the challenge lies.

 

[JimG.]

Too much thinking here for me...I got a headache trying to read the thread on Epic. I get a headache reading alot of the technical discussions over there and elsewhere.

I have no doubt that some people learn best using discussions like this, but not me. I'm a watcher and a doer. Assuming you're a good bumper, show me a few times how you ski bumps and then let me take that image and apply it to my skiing. I'll usually nail it by the end of the day with enough practice.

That's exactly how I learned to ski bumps...watching others and then doing it. As I've always said, mileage is the key.

 

[riverc0il]

perhaps the animation is exagerating, but if you bend your back that far down, you better either have back muscles that are steal or expect a short day due to fatigue. first lesson i learned after hurting my back at jay peak years back when i was learning bumps is don't over work the back in the bumps, gotta stay at tall. let the legs do the work, don't bend the back down to meet (and in that animation, practically kiss!) your knees. the dude looks like he is doing crunches standing up!

fwiw, the animation does do a good job of illustrating how to drive your skis down the bump starting with the ski tip. it is really easy to leave those tips dangling over the bump but as soon as your boots hit the highest point, you best get those tips pointed down the other side of the bump.

 

[jack97]

That animation tells me all I need to know about the technique. The extension part is really clear there. Once you feel how driving your skis down the backside (or is it front-side?) of the bump truly does help you control your speed, it all sort of clicks. By envisioning this as sort of pedaling a bike backwards (with your feet together following the same downward rotation, of course) it becomes clearer to me.

It’s going up the frontside of the bump during the absorption. Using this helps me get a check on my speed. Depending on the bumps, you can use more or less of the frontside for speed control. In a nut shell, the technical argument (pros and cons) was about pulling in the feet at the top of the bump or pushing out the hips/pressing the shins to the boot tongues, both will give you the backpedal motion. Kind of interesting from a bio- mechanic and physic point of view.

Long ago, an instructor told me to make my last run on a comfortable trail, end my day on a good note and to ingrain the positives from it. I guess I extended this by thinking about my techniques when I drive home from a day trip and when ever I have free time.

 

[Marc]

I got a headache too. But then again, I get a headache whenever I try to read anything, so maybe I'm a bad example...

 

[jack97]

For those who like to see it, here’s a link to sunapeefreestyle web, check out the video section. It doesn’t show the backpedal motion but imo, some very good absorption and extension.

http://www.sunapeefreestyle.com/


2knees, I notice you posted some vids over at epic. FWIW, I agree with most them on the absorption; your knees are too stiff. You’re absorbing the impact with your lower back, this forces you to bend over at the waist. This can get you on the backseat. Check out the vids, these bumpers are absorbing the impact with the knees; lower back and upper half is quiet (not getting jarred around). Whenever I can, as an exercise, when going down a flight of stairs, I’ll jump from the last two/three or jump from the truck loading dock, focusing on breaking the impact of landing with my knees.

 

[2knees]

Jack97, i couldnt agree more. I was reading the backpedaling thread and someone mentioned folding at the waist as opposed to absorbing with the knees and it sort of kicked me in the gut. I knew there was something off in some of the pics and vids i've seen of myself. The good news for me is that i think i can correct it easily but i absolutely do absorb by pushing my upper body forward and down and not by allowing my knees and legs to do the work. Good catch by all over there and thanks for pointing it out.

 

[Greg]

Jack97, i couldnt agree more. I was reading the backpedaling thread and someone mentioned folding at the waist as opposed to absorbing with the knees and it sort of kicked me in the gut. I knew there was something off in some of the pics and vids i've seen of myself. The good news for me is that i think i can correct it easily but i absolutely do absorb by pushing my upper body forward and down and not by allowing my knees and legs to do the work. Good catch by all over there and thanks for pointing it out.

Come on Pat......gimme some props. I pointed all this out over a month ago:

2knees: Really good bump skier. Very tight stance. Not a ton in terms of absorbtion/extension. 2knees bump technique almost looks painful; lots of air and crashing into the next bump, but he looks comfortable and not phased at all by it. Fun to watch ski. Skis bumps FAST!

You get that A&E down and look out dude.

 

[Greg]

Jack97, i couldnt agree more. I was reading the backpedaling thread and someone mentioned folding at the waist as opposed to absorbing with the knees and it sort of kicked me in the gut. I knew there was something off in some of the pics and vids i've seen of myself. The good news for me is that i think i can correct it easily but i absolutely do absorb by pushing my upper body forward and down and not by allowing my knees and legs to do the work. Good catch by all over there and thanks for pointing it out.

Check out this pic, Pat:

You're at the crest of that mogul and you should be fully absorbing at that point and ready to drive the skis down the backside of that bump. Instead you're absorbing with your back and that's causing you to bend forward at the waist, which puts your ass back.

Listen to me. It sounds like I can actually put these suggestions into action which quite frankly I struggle with... :blink:

 

[JimG.]

Long ago, an instructor told me to make my last run on a comfortable trail, end my day on a good note and to ingrain the positives from it. I guess I extended this by thinking about my techniques when I drive home from a day trip and when ever I have free time.

I am also a BIG believer in this strategy.

 

[2knees]

Come on Pat......gimme some props. I pointed all this out over a month ago:



You get that A&E down and look out dude.

damn, you're right. I guess i wasnt paying enough attention. That pic is a perfect example also of what you are saying.

 

[jack97]

That pic is a perfect example also of what you are saying.

Yeah, the picture says it all. Forgot to mention, once you nail the absorption, you’re going to rip the zipperline.

Hope you don’t mine the amateur analysis, one of these day, I’ll make some turns with you, then you can rake me over the coals with your analysis.

 

[BeanoNYC]

Check out this pic, Pat:


You're at the crest of that mogul and you should be fully absorbing at that point and ready to drive the skis down the backside of that bump. Instead you're absorbing with your back and that's causing you to bend forward at the waist, which puts your ass back.

:

Remind me to choke you if you ever pull out a camera while I'm on the bumps. I don't want it to come back to haunt me. I think I'll try to work a bit with Jim first! ...or maybe wait until I get that surgery.

 

[2knees]

then you can rake me over the coals with your analysis.

Not at all, i appreciate the advice. sometimes to get better you gotta suck it up and listen to the truth. Like i said at epic, i've hit a wall and i'm not gonna get any better on my own. Its been a revelation reading that thread and constructive criticism is what i was looking for. And did i ever get it, lol. Its all good.

 

[Greg]

Remind me to choke you if you ever pull out a camera while I'm on the bumps. I don't want it to come back to haunt me. I think I'll try to work a bit with Jim first! ...or maybe wait until I get that surgery.

Quite honestly, seeing pics and video might be the best thing you can do for your skiing.

Not at all, i appreciate the advice. sometimes to get better you gotta suck it up and listen to the truth. Like i said at epic, i've hit a wall and i'm not gonna get any better on my own. Its been a revelation reading that thread and constructive criticism is what i was looking for. And did i ever get it, lol. Its all good.

In all seriousness, Pat, A&E is really all you need. I found it interesting that a few over on Epic suggested that once you get the A&E going, the hand position may naturally improve. I believe it was also mentioned to use shorter poles. Hmmmm....wonder where I've heard that before?

 

[jack97]

Quite honestly, seeing pics and video might be the best thing you can do for your skiing.

Yeah taking pics and vid is great.

One thing I would add is to look at how you approach the absorption. The pic shows the body posture at the crest, would be good to see how you approach the bump. Better yet, you guys should do that for each other at sundown, in the bumps and flats.

 

[RustyK]

It looks good from a 2D perspective, but when your turning your boards to scrap a little speed off, this could be difficult. Looks like your poles will have to be even shorter now..
I'll try anything to be a better bumper though..