Racing Skills Drills
Cone Shuffling Drill
This drill can be done on the snow or during the summer on a grassy hill. The coach should set up a series of four to ten cones on a hill, similar to a race course. The coach should then help the athlete read the course while looking at it from the top. Discuss where the turns should be made and what size and shape they should be. The coach can then shuffle sideways down the hill through the course using the line that was discussed with the athlete. The athlete should then do the same thing, and the coach and athlete can discuss what they felt and saw during the drill. This can then be repeated several times, and the course can be changed as needed. The coach should be reminding the athlete to have bent knees, hands up and eyes forward while shuffling through the course.
Practicing in a Race Course Drill
The best way to practice racing is to race. Practicing and refining general snowboard skills is important, but whenever possible it is important to practice those skills under the same conditions an athlete will face in competition. Allowing the athlete to practice making turns under race conditions is the best way to improve times. The best practice is to race in various courses using the same gates, timing system, etc., used in competition; however, access to such equipment is often limited. For those with limited access to equipment, there are some options to help offer a similar experience to athletes.
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Practice Course Drill
If you do not have access to regular racing gates and other equipment, you can set up a practice course using orange cones, ski poles, etc. The advantage is that you can re-create an environment where the athlete can practice his or her turning skills in a race-type setting without spending a lot of money. Practice courses are also much more portable and do not take as much time and effort to set up. When setting up practice courses, it is important to try to re-create the type of course that the athlete will be facing in competition. Try to give the athlete experience practicing small (slalom) turns, medium (giant slalom) turns and large (downhill) turns. The best way to measure improvement is to time the athlete in each of a series of six to ten runs on the same course. When the athlete has completed the course, take a few minutes to share his or her time and talk about how it felt. You can also share helpful hints for improvement that the athlete can then practice on the next run. Comparison of times between runs can help an athlete see whether or not he or she is improving.
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Public NASTAR Racing Drill
Many ski hills offer public NASTAR racing. NASTAR is a system where the general public can sign up and race timed runs in a giant slalom format. While NASTAR only offers giant slalom, it is a good way to give athletes an opportunity to race using the same racing gates, timing system, etc., used in regular competition.
Follow the Leader Drill
The coach should ride a few meters in front of the athletes through the course (best in a giant slalom course). In this way the athlete can see and imitate the best point to change the edges and begin a new turn early, which is most important in racing through poles. Please note that this should be used only to introduce movement through gates, and the athletes should learn to navigate a course on their own as soon as possible.
Turning in the Poles on Command Drill
The coach may practice riding parallel to the course and giving the athlete advice on when to turn ("NOW!"). In this way the athlete can more easily determine the proper time to initiate his or her turns. Please note as mentioned above that this should be used only to introduce movement through gates, and the athletes should learn to navigate a course on their own as soon as possible.
Human Slalom Drill
Simulation Competition Drill
Many athletes have a tendency to become nervous in competition and make unforced mistakes. Simulate competition mode as often as possible in training racing skills to allow the athletes to get used to competition moments and pressure.
Special Drill: Playing with Smurfs
Some athletes with perception disabilities may have problems riding through the course on the correct side of the gates (the small side). Practice this on paper: Draw or paint a snowboard course with gates and have the athlete indicate the correct line through it. Athletes can also practice moving a "smurf "or other snowboard model through the course, letting it ride through slalom poles.
