Turn Shape First and When you Can Push on your skis with Tom Gellie and Demelza Clay
Big Picture Skiing PodcastShow Notes
Another season done. And like always, by the time the lifts close Demelza and I find ourselves deep in conversation about what we actually learned out there — not just what we taught, but what shifted in our own thinking.
This episode is that conversation. We each had a big coaching theme this season that we kept coming back to with clients, and in this one we unpack both of them — plus a few other things that came up along the way.
We get into turn shape and why it’s the foundation everything else is built on, ankle and knee mechanics and where they actually belong in the turn, the push vs pull debate and what’s really happening with pressure, why a “stable upper body” is honestly an optical illusion, and what it means to unfreeze — and why loose is actually stable.
There’s also a moment where Demelza highsides herself at about 3 feet in the air at Hintertux while I’m watching from the bottom. That one’s worth it alone. If you’re a skier who wants to understand the why behind good technique, this one’s for you.
Interested in joining Tom’s upcoming Deep Dive Webinars? See below 📅 Big Picture Skiing upcoming webinars → https://bigpictureskiing.com/programs/deep-dive-3
Want to join a ski camps with Tom, Demelza and Jason? Checkout 🎿 Ski camps with Tom & Demelza → https://www.skicoachcollective.com
Want a free deep dive on a concept that will improve linking of your ski turns? 🎥 Free video → https://bigpictureskiing.com/get/perpendicular
Chapters: 00:00:00 Introduction to Skiing Insights 00:01:13 Exploring Turn Shape 00:02:53 Coaching Themes for the Season 00:06:55 Understanding Turn Dynamics 00:08:38 The Joy of Speed in Skiing 00:12:14 Engaging Advanced Skiers 00:17:04 The Push-Pull Concept 00:28:28 Balancing Between Techniques 00:31:35 The Importance of Timing 00:38:05 Skiing for Fun vs. Competition 00:46:21 Reflecting on Personal Growth 00:59:23 Enhancing Skiing Techniques 01:06:37 The Journey of Unfreezing Movements 01:16:01 Preparing for Future Topics 01:28:52 Conclusion and Future Conversations
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