Mogul technique: Extension

[Greg]

I'm having a real problem getting it. Absorption is no problem, but getting tall again in the trough is tough, especially on moderate or steep bumps. I think I got it a bit on lower angle bumps though. I don't know if I'm just being a wimp and too tentative, but it's holding me back from getting more direct and faster in the bumps.

I understand the concept and I know when I'm doing it right, but get me on some steeper bumps and I start to crouch, hinge, and can't take advantage of a full range of A&E. I think my absorption is pretty good and I can usually suck up a lot of bump, but if I could just get taller again consistently, it would give me more "travel" to work with. Usually what I try to do is the "stick the dick" method by driving the hips up and forward after cresting the bump, but it seems like on the steeper stuff I have to work so hard to do it and it gets me off balance. I think it might be a timing issue coupled with just pussing out. I just can't get the rhythm of it down.

So, does anyone have any suggestions? I know, work on the flats. Any other tips that have worked for you, or should I just keep hammering away at it on the flatter bumps?

 

[tjf67]

I'm having a real problem getting it. Absorption is no problem, but getting tall again in the trough is tough, especially on moderate or steep bumps. I think I got it a bit on lower angle bumps though. I don't know if I'm just being a wimp and too tentative, but it's holding me back from getting more direct and faster in the bumps.

I understand the concept and I know when I'm doing it right, but get me on some steeper bumps and I start to crouch, hinge, and can't take advantage of a full range of A&E. I think my absorption is pretty good and I can usually suck up a lot of bump, but if I could just get taller again consistently, it would give me more "travel" to work with. Usually what I try to do is the "stick the dick" method by driving the hips up and forward after cresting the bump, but it seems like on the steeper stuff I have to work so hard to do it and it gets me off balance. I think it might be a timing issue coupled with just pussing out. I just can't get the rhythm of it down.

So, does anyone have any suggestions? I know, work on the flats. Any other tips that have worked for you, or should I just keep hammering away at it on the flatter bumps?

Yeah just go on steeper bumps till you get it. Less thinking more doing. How the heck can you make any turns with all that stuff going on in your head.

 

[Greg]

Yeah just go on steeper bumps till you get it. Less thinking more doing. How the heck can you make any turns with all that stuff going on in your head.

Thanks for the useful advice. I've been doing plenty of doing. Not all of us are natural born athletes like yourself.

 

[tjf67]

Thanks for the useful advice. I've been doing plenty of doing. Not all of us are natural born athletes like yourself.

You really are a CLIT. You just have to touch it a little bit to get it going BLAHAHA

 

[reefer]

Yeah just go on steeper bumps till you get it. Less thinking more doing. How the heck can you make any turns with all that stuff going on in your head.

Nice!

 

[drjeff]

Watching your TR video from yesterday and making a comparison between you and 2knees(just a basic body position comparison) - look at your knee angle compared to 2knee's knee angle. Your's is closer to 90 degrees, where as 2knees knee angle is more in the 45 to 60 degree range. Thus allowing 2knees a greater(and easier ability) to extend than yourself(much easier for the leg/ab muscles to lift you up from a 45-60 degree angle than an almost 90 degree angle and less likely to get you into the backseat from the taller position).

Other than that, nice bumping, quiet head + shoulders, square to the falline, hands out where they should be. Just lift that butt up a little and give it a try

 

[reefer]

You really are a CLIT. You just have to touch it a little bit to get it going BLAHAHA

even better!

But I really like the CLITS anyway, and they do kick my ass in those bumps.................

 

[Greg]

You really are a CLIT. You just have to touch it a little bit to get it going BLAHAHA

Rather be a clit than an asshole.

 

[bvibert]

Rather be a clit than an asshole.

He's an ANUS, dude. Get it right.. :roll:

 

[SKidds]

Hey, are administrators/moderators allowed to say asshole/anus?

Greg, I agree with the basic body position comparison put forth by drjeff. Perhaps a little less angulation and a little more of an upright natural stance for your starting body postion would allow you to have a wider range in which to absorb/extend. Look at the distance 2knees knees travel between absorption and extension versus yours. He has a wider range of motion. You seem to be doing all the right things, but perhaps your more condensed/less natural body position limits your ability to get tall between the turns.

I think I ski the bumps pretty well, but after seeing some video of myself in the bumps that is the one thing I need to work on more myself.

 

[Greg]

Greg, I agree with the basic body position comparison put forth by drjeff. Perhaps a little less angulation and a little more of an upright natural stance for your starting body postion would allow you to have a wider range in which to absorb/extend. Look at the distance 2knees knees travel between absorption and extension versus yours. He has a wider range of motion. You seem to be doing all the right things, but perhaps your more condensed/less natural body position limits your ability to get tall between the turns.

Totally agree. I know exactly what the problem is, i.e. a crouching which has always been an issue for me. I think it's just a defensive position. I just need to figure out how to get taller which is why I'm looking for tips on that.

 

[180]

Believe it or not try longer poles. It is a very good excercise to get you taller. I do it all the time.

 

[SKidds]

If you know......then I gotta go with the advice of he who you call asshole .

He hits on a good point, and something I think has been holding my older brother from making a breakthrough past very strong intermediate skier. I have no idea what you do for a living, but he's an engineer. As such, he never stops thinking his turns. Always trying to perfect, perfect, perfect the technique. I don't know how the guy has ANY fun on his skis....although it seems that constant analysis and tinkering is his idea of fun. Engineers. But he already has the technnical tools he needs. His problem is he skis stiff. He needs to let go, relax, have a more natural stance. Stop thinking so much and trust in his skills and just do. I don't think that can be achieved with drills or tips. It's just a matter of being comfortable enough to lose that fear that brings about the defensive posture and related stiffness. Of course, that is easier said than done. I haven't been able to coach the stiffness out of my brother.........yet. But I'll continue to safely push him a little outside of his comfort zone when I have the chance.

Perhaps the same thing applies to you in the bumps, although that would seem to be nit-pickey because your turns look pretty good.

As they say in the movies.........'Sometime you just have to say, "what the !@#$"'. Just let it go. Really, what's the worst that can happen? Bruised ribs, a gashed leg and a pummeled orbital socket.

 

[deadheadskier]

To be honest, I've never really thought about anything regarding angulation, absorption, etc when skiing bumps. I do think about angulation and body position much more when carving, but that's another story. I do always think about skiing tall in the bumps though as the taller I'm skiing, the smoother it feels like I'm skiing.

Anyways, in terms something to think about to get you skiing taller. Extending in the bumps is really the same motion just more subtle as when you 'pop' off an air. The next time out, pop a bit of air in the bump field. I often do this when I find myself in a mogul field where there's a bit of a gap in the line and long run in to the next mogul. I'll pop off the bump and land on the opposite back side trying to get to the next line over. Competition bump skiing is always about skiing the same line from the top of the run to the bottom, which is obviously the fastest route down and 25% of the score. I get a bit bored doing this while skiing recreationally. If I'm skiing a longer bump run, I'll often try and hit several different lines throughout the run to mix it up some. I'm getting off track here (not uncommon with my posts :lol , but like I said when you head into a bump, think about 'popping' much in the same fashion as when you go off an air to throw your patented 2 O'clock twister

 

[deadheadskier]

I have no idea what you do for a living, but he's an engineer. As such, he never stops thinking his turns. Always trying to perfect, perfect, perfect the technique. I don't know how the guy has ANY fun on his skis....although it seems that constant analysis and tinkering is his idea of fun. Engineers.

Your mondeo's brother? cool. Great skier


sorry mondeo, that was too easy :lol:

 

[St. Bear]

He hits on a good point, and something I think has been holding my older brother from making a breakthrough past very strong intermediate skier. I have no idea what you do for a living, but he's an engineer. As such, he never stops thinking his turns. Always trying to perfect, perfect, perfect the technique. I don't know how the guy has ANY fun on his skis....although it seems that constant analysis and tinkering is his idea of fun. Engineers. But he already has the technnical tools he needs. His problem is he skis stiff. He needs to let go, relax, have a more natural stance. Stop thinking so much and trust in his skills and just do. I don't think that can be achieved with drills or tips. It's just a matter of being comfortable enough to lose that fear that brings about the defensive posture and related stiffness. Of course, that is easier said than done. I haven't been able to coach the stiffness out of my brother.........yet. But I'll continue to safely push him a little outside of his comfort zone when I have the chance.

Perhaps the same thing applies to you in the bumps, although that would seem to be nit-pickey because your turns look pretty good.

As they say in the movies.........'Sometime you just have to say, "what the !@#$"'. Just let it go. Really, what's the worst that can happen? Bruised ribs, a gashed leg and a pummeled orbital socket.

I agree that it's best to just relax and let go. I know from my own personal experience, I tend to get very stiff and it not only hinders my turns, but I tire out quickly because my leg muscles are always tight. It's like I'm fighting the turns instead of just flowing through them. It's just one of those things that easy for me to say while sitting here at my desk, but hard for me to practice what I preach on the hill.

 

[bvibert]

So, does anyone have any suggestions? I know, work on the flats. Any other tips that have worked for you, or should I just keep hammering away at it on the flatter bumps?

You should have stayed later last night and skied more with 180 and 181 instead of pussing out and going grocery shopping. :roll: Both of them were offering up plenty of advice as the night went on, they probably could have had your problem fixed in no time.

 

[Greg]

Believe it or not try longer poles. It is a very good excercise to get you taller. I do it all the time.

Ack! I was just thinking about whacking off another inch. Maybe I won't until I get this extension thing sorted out.

If you know......then I gotta go with the advice of he who you call asshole .

He hits on a good point, and something I think has been holding my older brother from making a breakthrough past very strong intermediate skier. I have no idea what you do for a living, but he's an engineer. As such, he never stops thinking his turns. Always trying to perfect, perfect, perfect the technique. I don't know how the guy has ANY fun on his skis....although it seems that constant analysis and tinkering is his idea of fun. Engineers. But he already has the technnical tools he needs. His problem is he skis stiff. He needs to let go, relax, have a more natural stance. Stop thinking so much and trust in his skills and just do. I don't think that can be achieved with drills or tips. It's just a matter of being comfortable enough to lose that fear that brings about the defensive posture and related stiffness. Of course, that is easier said than done. I haven't been able to coach the stiffness out of my brother.........yet. But I'll continue to safely push him a little outside of his comfort zone when I have the chance.

Perhaps the same thing applies to you in the bumps, although that would seem to be nit-pickey because your turns look pretty good.

As they say in the movies.........'Sometime you just have to say, "what the !@#$"'. Just let it go. Really, what's the worst that can happen? Bruised ribs, a gashed leg and a pummeled orbital socket.

My overanalysis of technique happens mostly when I'm thinking about mogul skiing, not actually mogul skiing. Most of the time, the fun factor takes over and I forget to work on all the things I set out to do. I guess just keeping at it is the key.

but like I said when you head into a bump, think about 'popping' much in the same fashion as when you go off an air to throw your patented 2 O'clock twister

The fact that my airs are so feeble means I probably have no clue how to 'pop'. :lol: But I get your point. Again, I know what the correct motion feels like; I just have no consistency doing it. I guess identifying when it feels right is part of the battle.

 

[Beetlenut]

I suffer from the same problem. For me there is a very fine line between driving the hips up and forward after cresting the bump, and falling into the backseat as your skis accelerate from under you into the next trough. I think a lot of runs and a beer or two might be the way to go. Gotta stay loose you know!

 

[Geoff]

I need two ACL grafts before I start working on extension. I have enough instability fully extended that I can't use that technique or I'll be on crutches for a month until the swelling goes down.