Why I am stuck at same level!!!
Started by Pavelski in Ski Technique 28-Jan-2007 - 8 Replies
Pavelski posted Jan-2007
By chance I taught two very different personality types just a few days apart and even if I was teaching the same techniques on same conditions, one skier progressed after just 3 hours while the other still remained at same ability level.
I kept wondering how I had "failed" the second skier. What I could have done to to help. Then in a flash, the solution came. Here it is!!!
But first let me provide the personality profiles of A and B skier.
A is a Romanian student who has an open mind about learning. He had no idea at all about ski technique and had very poor ski equipment. He instantly accepted his role as student and mine as teacher. This is what he "understood" was the learning context. A teacher (which you did not question) and a student (which applied the techniques)!
B is a administrator in a large utility company. Older and set in his ways as far as; political opinions, social causes, how to solve problems. The man was a doer, an administrator to "gets things done", (and wants results)! He was a success because he made people do what he wanted! He knew what he wanted!
A skier was far weaker skier , with no technical skills. His equipment was "last generation circa" while the B skier had latest products. B skied every week and traveled to the biggest ski centers at least once every month!
The same teaching approach was used for both skiers. The same ski resort was used and both had same teaching time. Yet skier A progressed in amazing speed, while B skier still had same problems.
Here is the key, the source of the learning blockage!
Skier A accepted that he had lots to learn, accepted that I would help him and let me "get into his brain" totally! After first hour he instantly applied all the techniques I had demonstrated.
Skier B questioned from the onset of the classes, "this new way to teach". He skied the moguls and wanted to be better in the moguls, thus wondering why we were not in the moguls! HE HAD A SET LESSON PLAN FOR ME! He knew how he would teach this if he was the ski instructor.
I was not teaching him the way he expected to be taught! He questioned all the "exercises, drills" often suggesting he needed new skis, new boots. As a final demonstration to him that it was not the skiing equipment that was the cause of his skiing shortcomings, I took his skis and he took mine. I did all the drills perfectly with his "old" skis ( while great difficulty since they were poorly tuned and not waxed at all) while he could not follow me with my skis. To him it was clear, it was not the equipment that was the cause ! IT WAS HIS LACK OF MUSCULAR STRENGTH according to him. He was going to do more endurance work in his studio!
See the pattern!
Skier B never accepted me as his teacher. Yes he wanted to learn to ski better ( and pay 80$ an hour to do so) but he was not willing PSYCHOLOGICALLY to accept my role as teacher, thus do all drills without question.
Often I would hear, "how is this going to make me a better mogul skier"!
I even brought in a small model of a "shaped" ski and tried to explain the mechanics of an efficient turn. My message did not passed his ears.
Learning skiing is like learning anything. You must be open to new ideas, new techniques and you must trust your teacher. Skier B failed on both counts. Although skier B had more money, better equipment and more skiing experience than skier A from Romania, he was a much weaker learner and would "plateau" since he felt he had good BASIC skiing technique.
Learning to ski begins in that mysterious area between the two ears. Free the mind of, "my way", the "best way".
A skier instructor is a guide. Let him/her lead you to higher bliss!
Bald Eagle
reply to 'Why I am stuck at same level!!!' posted Jan-2007
Mike
Pavelski
reply to 'Why I am stuck at same level!!!' posted Jan-2007
Thank you for your insight. I no longer just meet skiers and start teaching right away. First we have coffee ( on my time and expense) and we talk about goals, past experiences and what WE want to accomplish!
Then I allow two runs of free skiing where I just ski behind client. Then we decide what to work on!
This approach seems to work with 90% of skiers.
Like you Mike I am "set" in my ways but in this day of "change' we must learn to accept new ideas, new ways, new products. Just think what this generation has "experienced" as change; television, cell phones, computers, release bindings, ATM, Ipod, etc......
Of course now shaped skis with this new ski technique.
But once you learn it,,,,,,,heaven!!!
Pjheystack
reply to 'Why I am stuck at same level!!!' posted Jan-2007
Trencher
reply to 'Why I am stuck at same level!!!' posted Jan-2007
pavelski wrote:
Like you Mike I am "set" in my ways but in this day of "change' we must learn to accept new ideas, new ways, new products. Just think what this generation has "experienced" as change; television, cell phones, computers, release bindings, ATM, Ipod, etc......
quote]because I'm so inclined .....Edited 3 times. Last update at 31-Jan-2007
Trencher
reply to 'Why I am stuck at same level!!!' posted Jan-2007
Exactly, It is those very things that mean, one can not have a closed mind anymore. Ideas move so fast. With the wealth of infomation available, it is now easier to see a bigger picture and distill concepts. I think that is why it is important to try as many sports as possible and cross bench the core concepts.
Movement is movement, only the interface and the enviroment change. If I were young again, I would seriousely consider le Parkour as a sport. If you can run up a wall, then you would have no problem understanding how to pressure the edges of your skis; it's the same princible. As for for getting a feel for rotation....
http://streetstunts.co.uk/3run/a_brothers_journey.wmv
Trencher
Edited 1 time. Last update at 31-Jan-2007
Pavelski
reply to 'Why I am stuck at same level!!!' posted Feb-2007
If I were young??????
You are young Trencher. From your replies you demonstrate flexibility, open mind and a desire to search new ideas new products. You are young!
Be your physical activities and search for new sports you show you are young!
Be sharing your ideas you are young.
There are some very old 15 year olds as there are some very young 70 year olds. You decide which you are!
Cheers!
Real Ale Madrid
reply to 'Why I am stuck at same level!!!' posted Feb-2007
Topic last updated on 06-February-2007 at 22:20