Latest on my learning curve integrates body flow, brain, and "the truth" of tools. Boots are tools and my focus here. Boots are debatably, any skier's most important tool...
Common knowledge in the ski industry says that ski boots are more or less stiff to support the strength, power and ability of the skier. As an industry we have a boot "flex index" that is fairly straight forward, and consistent (regard to gender, weight, power, strength, numbers range up or down from the norm shared below):
Beginners ski with boots set at 80 or less
Intermediates ski at something akin to 90.
"Strong" skiers ski with 100 - 110
Experts so named may 110 - 130
Top racers and world cup skiers ski with 130 and up.
The numbers translate to stiffness of plastic, the difficulty to bend the boot. Ironically, the stiffer the boots the more immediate the response between body and skis.
Truth 1: As the index indicates, the stronger or faster or steeper one skis, the stiffer boot is preferable in most cases.
Truth 2: Regardless of one's score, when indexed correctly, boots are very difficult to bend by pressing forward with leg flex and ankle flexion. The colder the air temperature the more difficult they are to flex.
Truth 3: Flexing the boot is critical to maintain balance from the middle to tip, turn and bend the ski efficiently and effectively throughout all phases of any turn. At 120 and up, boots are almost impossible to flex when standing still on flat terrain.
The discussion of dorsi-flexion, and therefore flexing the ski boot is a constant discussion most days, most clinics or lessons.
This season, a light bulb went on; simple as this: let my equipment and the terrain do the work. Instead of working to flex or bend my boots, let my boots flex and bend.
When I'm in balance and center of mass moving with my skis, no matter the terrain or speed IF I remain relaxed and centered, my boots flex effectively. I am conscious that I don't flex the boots, the boots flex as a result. My skis stay pressured from center and movement is the next thing to effortless...
Certainly this "letting" demands its own level of trust. At the same time, what a great metaphor for each of us as leaders... out of balance I have to work hard. When I believe I have to work to "flex" I just keep working harder... when conscious and in balance and doing what I know to do, the flex happens by design...
Nuance here: depending on my level of mastery, I am either conscious of being relaxed enough to let the boot flex as a result of G force OR conscious of the second I am NOT relaxed enough to allow the boot to flex as a result of G force and consciously let the forces flex the boot.
Life is much easier in this consious/unconscious masterful way. We end up in flow, the next thing to effortless action and outcome.
Oh ya, we can go here with our teams...
Recent Comments