Northern Rocky Mountain Division Adaptive Snowboard Level 1 Riding Requirements Riding Skills Work with your trainer(s) on the following riding demonstrations and tasks, any item listed may be used for evaluation in the Evaluated Clinic. Terrain for Adaptive Level 1 exams are listed in the NRM Adaptive Snowboard Standards. If you already hold a Level 1 Snowboard certification, you will not need to take the functional riding day of the exam. However, you will be evaluated on your functional riding through the teaching segment and will be required to show proficiency at a Level 1 standard. All Demonstrations, Tasks and Free Riding must be performed 50% dominant stance, 50% switch. Riding Demonstrations These are skiing maneuvers which are common stepping stone points that you would typically ask your students to perform. These demonstrations should be performed using precise, smooth, and appropriate movements. However, you may be asked to perform any of these maneuvers with exaggerated or minimized movements as may be necessary to over- or under- emphasize as such for your students. All demonstrations (excluding straight glided run) must be performed on both heel and toe side. Skating: Typically this is performed on flat terrain, as it is targeted towards the first time rider. The rider has a front foot strapped in, and uses the back foot to propel himself or herself towards the tip of the board. Back foot may be placed on snow on toe edge, or heel edge. (See example in Snowboard Tech Manual pg. 105) Looking up and forward Move in a desired path, typically a straight line Methodical movements Movements be rushed Gliding: Typically this is performed on flat terrain, as it is targeted towards the first time rider. The movement is the same as Skating, with a glide between each push with the back foot. The back foot shall remain in the air, and alternatively placed on the snowboard deck/rear binding during the glide. 1 of 11
Looking up and forward Move in a desired path, typically in a straight line Methodical movements Efficient gliding motion, using less energy than skating Movements be rushed or labored Hill Ascents: Typically this is performed on a side hill that you would climb to perform first downhill gliding movements or sideslips. The rider turns the board across the fall line, and moves up the hill. This shall be performed standing up with one foot out of the binding, and alternatively with both feet strapped in frog hopping up the hill. Move up the hill Body/Board move down the hill Body/Board move across the hill Straight Glided Run: Typically this is performed on the most gentle of terrain, as it is targeted towards the first time rider. The rider makes a straight run, with no intentional movement in relation to the board, coming to a natural stop due to terrain. (See example in Snowboard Tech Manual pg. 106) Athletic centered stance Looking up and forward Hands/Arms in line with the board Flat Board Center of mass move behind the center of your feet Pressure shift to toe or heel edges Run with Directional Change: Typically this is performed on the most gentle of terrain, as it is targeted towards the first time rider. The rider begins in a straight glided run, then gently makes a directional change to leave the fall line, coming to a natural stop due to terrain. 2 of 11
Athletic centered stance Looking up, forward, then towards destination Flat board to slight edge angle Center of mass move towards your back foot Sideslip: Typically this is performed on steeper green terrain. The rider begins with the board across the fall line, and slides directly down the fall line, with little to no lateral movement. (See example in Snowboard Tech Manual pg. 107) Athletic centered stance Looking up Use gentle movements in the ankles and knees to adjust tilt to maintain the board across the fall line, or Use gentle shifts in pressure from foot to foot to maintain the board across the fall line Center of mass move towards tip or tail Make large and sudden pressure shifts from foot to foot Falling Leaf: Typically this is performed on groomed green terrain. Beginning from a stand-still or in a sideslip, change directions towards the tip. Gently slow the board s movement and change direction towards the tail. Repeat. (See example in Snowboard Tech Manual pg. 107) Looking up and turning the head only to see in the direction of travel Shift slight pressure to the leading foot in each direction Use gentle movements in the ankles and knees to adjust tilt to maintain 3 of 11
the board across the fall line, or Use gentle shifts in pressure from foot to foot to maintain the board across the fall line Stay within a pre-defined corridor Make symmetrical movements Center of mass move to the back foot Make large and sudden pressure shifts from foot to foot Garlands: Typically this is performed on groomed green terrain. Begin in a traverse, then guide the snowboard towards the fall line which will result in a slight increase in speed. Steer the board back across the fall line. Repeat. (See example in Snowboard Tech Manual pg. 108) Looking up and turning the head only to see in the direction of travel Use gentle movements in the ankles and knees to twist board both into and out of the fall line Use gentle shifts in pressure from foot to foot to direct the board into and out of the fall line Make large and sudden pressure shifts from foot to foot Basic Skidded Medium Radius Turns: Typically this is performed on groomed green terrain. Pivoting the board while making a turn creates a skidded turn. Complete basic, rounded, skidded turns, linking 6-10 together. (See example in Snowboard Tech Manual pg. 110) Looking up and turning the head only to see in the direction of travel Ride symmetrical turns from start to finish Minimal body movement, only what is necessary to complete the turns 4 of 11
Shaping of turn occurs by blending skills appropriate for terrain, speed and turn size Body flexes and extends to match the terrain and speed To create a sense of rhythm, flow, and control from turn to turn, while maintain a consistent speed relative to the shape of the turn Make large and sudden pressure shifts from foot to foot Dynamic Skidded Medium Radius Turns: Typically this is performed on groomed blue terrain, as it is targeted towards the near intermediate rider. Pivoting the board while making a turn creates a skidded turn. Complete dynamic, rounded, skidded turns, linking 6-10 together. (See example in Snowboard Tech Manual pg. 110, make larger radius turns than what is shown in the video) Looking up and turning the head towards the center of the next turn Ride symmetrical turns from start to finish Make dynamic body movements, blending flexion/extension, tilt, twist, pivot and pressure Shaping of turn occurs by blending skills appropriate for terrain, speed and turn size Body flexes and extends to match the terrain and speed To create a sense of rhythm, flow, and control from turn to turn, while maintain a consistent speed relative to the shape of the turn Make large and sudden movements Basic Carved Large Radius Turns: Typically this is performed on groomed green terrain. Make large turns with little to no skidding (as snow conditions allow) by tipping the snowboard on edge and allowing the shape of the board to create a turn. Your edges should leave long clean arcs as the entire edge of the snowboard passes through the same point in the snow. (See example in Snowboard Tech Manual pg. 112) Looking up and turning the head only to see in the direction of travel 5 of 11
Ride symmetrical turns from start to finish Minimal body movement, only what is necessary to complete the turns Shaping of turn occurs by tilting the board and using the sidecut to define the width of the turn Body flexes and extends to match the terrain and speed To create a sense of rhythm, flow, and control from turn to turn, while maintain a consistent speed relative to the shape of the turn Make large and sudden pressure shifts from foot to foot Board pivot 6 of 11
Riding Tasks These are riding maneuvers which isolate particular body movements or riding movements. You might use these to emphasize a skill for a student when that skill is in excess or is lacking. Tasks typically require precise and calculated movements, where a lack of a movement is observed by the body compensating through movements not desired. You may be asked to perform these tasks at varying rates of speed to isolate skill sets. One Footed Riding: Typically this is performed on gentle terrain with consistent pitch. Riding all demos through basic skidded turns with the front foot strapped in, and the back foot not strapped into the binding. This is an important skill to be developed on your own, since you will find yourself riding like this in the beginning stages of many of your adaptive and non-adaptive lessons. Maintain balance and confidence on board Minimize movement of upper body to stay in control of board Understanding counter-rotation movements to make linked turns Blend of all 4 board performance skills Upper body move quickly Load/Unload Lifts Switch: This is performed on any fixed-grip or detachable lift. In lessons, you may need to switch your direction of load/unload to assist a student, especially with sit-down equipment, or demonstrate loading/unloading. Maintain balance and confidence on board Minimize movement of upper body to stay in control of board Blend of all 4 board performance skills Upper body move quickly Traverse to Diagonal Sideslip to Traverse: Typically this is performed on steeper green to groomed blue terrain. This task is often used while teaching with hands on assistance, tethering and guiding a student. It will show the riders ability to deliberately release and engage the boards edge. Starting from a traverse across the hill, release edge to a forward moving (diagonal) sideslip side, then re-engage edge to continue with the traverse. Repeat sequence as many times as the terrain safely allows. Traverse with engaged edge and no lateral slipping (sliding down the hill). This will be noted by one clean arc in the snow left by your board running 7 of 11
its length through the same path Keep an aligned stance Look in the direction of the nose or tail of the board Lead with the front foot, no speed check moves or windshield wiper turns will be accepted Edge change shall occur through lower body movements, initiating in the feet Minimal twisting may occur, however primary movements should simultaneous across both feet Center of mass move towards tip or tail Board pivot Accelerated Falling Leaf (fall line pivot movements): Typically this is performed on groomed blue terrain. This task will show upper/lower body separation, pressure control, breaking vs. gliding, down and/or across the fall line as well as lower body steering movements, both dominant footed and switch. Once you understand the basic movements involved, you can now adjust edging and pressure to control breaking and gliding. This will allow you to accelerate to get ahead of a student or break to allow the student to catch up to you, while constantly moving down the hill (no stop & go). Mastering this move will be very helpful when establishing auditory guiding techniques with VI students and tethering. Starting from a sideslip (either edge), point the tip of your board down the fall line staying on the same edge. Once in the fall line, pivot the board back to a sideslip, then point the tail of your board down the fall line. Repeat sequence as many times as the terrain safely allows. This should be an exaggerated falling leaf, where the corridor width is 8-10 (i.e. you stay in/near the fall line). You may be asked to increase/decrease speed during sections of the task, and also shift from one corridor to another across the hill (possibly following a student who is making turns). Stay on one edge Pivot the board with controlled minimal turning Increase speed by entering the fall line and decreasing edge friction (tilt) Decrease speed by returning to a sideslip and increasing edge friction (tilt) Maintain eye contact with a student (imaginary for this drill) above you (on toe edge) or below you (on heel edge) Upper body/lower body separation upper body faces up- or down-hill the entire task Pivot the board through lower body movements Twisting should occur to expedite turning into or out of the fall line while maintaining/decreasing friction (as desired) Tilting should occur to engage and disengage the edge 8 of 11
Pressure should adjust to the desired outcome Edge Change Eyes move from the (imaginary) student Synchronized Riding: Typically this is performed on groomed blue terrain. This style of riding is frequently used while guiding a VI student, teaching a cognitively challenged student, or tethering sit-down equipment. This task shows riding versatility and the ability to adapt one s personal riding style to constant changes in line choice and terrain. Make a series of 10-12 dynamic skidded turns staying up the fall line mimicking your partner. Both turns should initiate and finish at the same time, and should be the same turn size. There should be a coordinated finish with a balanced stop. Note: This is not powder 8s and you do not have to stay in their tracks on the snow, but movements throughout the turn should be the same. Stay directly up the fall line from your partner the entire task Maintain visual contact with your partner Make turns in the same shape, size, timing, intensity and duration as your partner Ride in the same directional stance as your student (goofy/regular) Stop simultaneously Stay standing after stopped Match your partner s skills Body move out of fall line alignment with your student End-Around: Typically this is performed on groomed green or blue terrain. This style of riding is frequently used when the instructor needs to assist the student by bucketing sit-down equipment. The instructor needs to switch his/her needs to walk their hands, thus their body around the back of the seat from one side to the other. The instructor will be riding switch during part of this maneuver. Some monoskis and dual-skis stick out much further in the back of the seat than a bi-ski or certain mono-boards, making this maneuver quite difficult if not impossible. Starting with a traverse on your toe edge (goofy for example) with the piece of equipment uphill of you, begin to initiate its turn. As you guide the equipment into the turn, maneuver your hands around to the back of the equipment. As it nears entering the fall line, move your body around the equipment, switch from toe (goofy) to heel edge, then back to your toe edge in the opposing direction (regular). You should now be on the downhill side of the equipment. Switch edges Toe-Heel-Toe with flow Be on your heel edge when the equipment passes through the fall line 9 of 11
Turn the ski uphill to control speed Break slightly while on your heel edge if necessary while performing an End-Around Blend all skills Board catch on the back of the skis/board of the equipment Hop Turns: Typically this is performed on groomed blue terrain. Mastering this maneuver will help you in any hands-on assists, especially with sitdown equipment. It is also useful whenever you need to stay in close contact with your student, without interrupting his/her movements and shows precisions and speed control required to safely guide upper level adaptive students down intermediate and more advanced terrain. Starting from a sideslip, flex down then extend, using up-unweighting while pivoting the board 180 degrees. This effectively is a jump from the uphill edge, transition in the air, landing on the opposing (new uphill) edge while still moving downhill slightly. During the landing, flex down to control pressure and keep the board within a 10 run. Perform this edge change (hop turn) at least 8 times, rotating in both directions. Land with board across the fall line Pivot the board in the center of the board Use a variety of scissor kicks, counter-rotation, and upper body rotation to accomplish the task. Keep your eyes up Land softly Blend all skills Board land less than perpendicular to the fall line Turn to a Stop: Typically this is performed on steeper green or blue terrain. Instructors need to be confident executing an Emergency Stop while tethering a Biski or Rider Bar. No rebound should be seen in the instructor s movement. Being able to quickly come to a complete, safe stop while demonstrating a seat assist is essential for instructors teaching any kind of sit down equipment. Staring in the fall line, come up to speed, then initiate a quick turn. Come to a full, balanced stop, showing absolutely no forward momentum. Repeat in the other direction (toe/heel), then both directions riding switch. Upper body should remain quiet and facing down the fall line. Pivot the board from in the fall line to across the fall line Make quick, progressive stopping movements 10 of 11
Upper body should remain quiet and facing down the fall line Lower body moves under the upper body Hands up as if you were tethering Pivot must come from the lower body Pressure should be adjusted to assist stopping the board from passing perpendicular to the fall line Twist should be minimal, if present at all Board should move from little/no tilt to a progressive tilt to engage uphill edge Board move past perpendicular to the fall line Upper body pivot Hands drop Balance fall Free Riding Work with your trainer to develop your free riding techniques. All of the tasks and demos above will affect your free riding, think of how each integrates into a portion of your riding. Your riding will be assessed on variable blue and groomed black terrain, on which you should be extremely comfortable. Other items taken into consideration are: Be in control at all times Control speed through turn shape Use appropriate and variable turn size Maintain consistent balance 11 of 11