Stack, Separate and Resist
Overview: Movement 5: Stack your outside leg and core keeping your shoulders level to the snow by separating just below the shoulders, and resist the pressure pushing back against your foot.
This description is the fifth of seven modules included in the Ski Technique module, describing how elite skiers and racers carve turns.
The outside leg is bio mechanically strong when the ankle, leg, hips, core and shoulders are stacked on top of each other. This action will apply pressure against the outside ski, causing it to bend, carve, and accelerate. The knee does not tip inwards as this action breaks the stacking, reduces pressure against the outside ski and increases the risk of knee injury.
Stack, Separate and Resist
John Leffler, the well known U.S.A. race coach, demonstrates how to stack the body and separate just below the shoulders in the FIRST MINUTE of this VIDEO.
How to Separate Below the Shoulders
- Level the shoulders to prevent the body leaning away from the outside ski. This action will cause the body to “Separate”. The Separation occurs just below the shoulders with the objective of stacking the Rib Cage, core and outside leg onto to the foot pressing against the outside ski.
- To feel where to Separate, place your hands against your rib cage just below your shoulders. Lower one elbow then the other and you will feel how the shoulders can tip side to side or Separate.
Marcel Odermatt of the Swiss Alpine Team stacks his whole body against his outside ski.
Stack and Resist
- When carving a turn an objective is to have all your pressure against the outside ski with no pressure on the inside ski.
- The stacked leg presses firmly against the outside ski through the arch of the foot, and resisting the forces pressing back, causes the ski to bend, carve, and accelerate.
- It’s essential to avoid pushing aggressively, as this will release the energy from the ski and reduce the duration of the carving action.
- The knee does not tip inwards as this action breaks the stacking, reduces pressure against the outside ski and increases the risk of knee injury.
Watch this racer stack his core over his outside leg while keeping his shoulders level.
Key Takeaways
- The strength and stability of the outside leg in skiing are optimized when the ankle, leg, hips, core, and shoulders are aligned or “stacked” on top of each other. This alignment ensures that the knee does not tip inward, which can disrupt the stacking, reduce pressure on the outside ski, and increase the risk of knee injury.
- Bio mechanically, applying pressure against the outside ski is essential when carving a turn. The stacked leg resists the forces pushing back against the foot, allowing the ski to bend, accelerate, and carve. Avoiding excessive pushing is crucial to maintaining the energy within the ski and prolonging the carving action. Additionally, separating just below the shoulders to prevent the body leaning away from the outside ski.
Suggested Learning Modules
Go to Ski Technique 6. Shorten the Inside Leg
Return to Ski Technique or Word Choice
Important Note: Skiing and ski racing come with inherent risks. As such, it is imperative to ski responsibly and remain within the boundaries of your skill level and personal comfort zone.
