This video provides a comprehensive guide on correcting “A-frame” skiing—a common issue where the feet are wider apart than the knees during a turn. Using a case study of a skier named Peter, the transcript demonstrates how specific drills can transform a knock-kneed stance into efficient, parallel skiing.
Understanding the A-Frame
Visually, an A-frame resembles the letter “A,” giving the skier a knock-kneed appearance. This occurs when the outside leg is tipped into the turn significantly more than the inside leg. While boot alignment plays a role, the primary biomechanical cause is being too active with the outside leg (cranking the knee for traction) and too passive with the inside leg.
Historically, legends like Ingemar Stenmark used A-framing to generate edge angle on straight skis. However, on modern carving skis, this technique is inefficient and increases the risk of knee injury. The ultimate goal is to achieve parallel shins, allowing both skis to arc along the same radius.
The Key Solution: Inside Leg Activation
To fix A-framing, skiers must suppress the urge to initiate turns by cranking the outside knee. Instead, the focus must shift to the inside leg. The inside leg serves two functions: it must flex to allow the body to drop into the turn, and it must actively tip to match the edge angle of the outside ski.
The Resistance Drill
The core drill presented involves a specific resistance exercise performed while skiing on a moderate slope without poles:
- The Action: Place your inside hand on the outside of your inside knee.
- The Resistance: Apply inward pressure with your hand while actively using your leg muscles (abductors) to push the knee outward against the hand.
- The Ankle: Simultaneously invert (supinate) the inside foot and ankle.
Why it works: Many skiers mistakenly push their knee inward to fix A-frame, which trains the wrong muscles. This resistance drill activates the outside abductors and glutes, teaching the leg to maintain a strong, outwardly tipped position throughout the turn.
The Monoski Concept and Booty Band Drill
A-framing often stems from moving the feet independently, leading to a wedge or stem entry into the turn. To counter this, the video suggests utilizing the “Monoski” concept, where both feet must move together.
To simulate this, the presenter recommends the Booty Band Drill. By strapping a resistance band around the ski boots (or knees), the skier is forced to move their legs as a single unit. This prevents independent stemming and forces the skier to tip both feet simultaneously rather than pushing off the outside ski.
Conclusion
By shifting focus from outside leg dominance to inside leg activation and using resistance drills to retrain muscle memory, skiers can eliminate A-frame. The result is not just aesthetic; achieving parallel shins leads to better stacking, cleaner carving, and safer skiing mechanics.
Mentoring question
When initiating a turn, do you find yourself instinctively cranking your outside knee for grip, or are you actively engaging your inside leg to lead the tipping movement?
Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=E3ymhx9m4Vo&is=sq3JcodrYMlRg6sI