It's all about the movements!

November has arrived and the trees are almost bare.   Are your kids ready to ski and ride?  Here are some tips to get them MOVING toward the winter season.  Head out to the backyard and get the kids to put their boots on.  Just tromp around at first.  The youngest might enjoy a treasure hunt and the older ones can play a slow motion game of running bases.  Once everyone is comfortable in their klunky footwear have them form a line facing you and do the following:  take 10 steps forward, take 5 steps back, step sideways (still facing you) for 10 steps, step diagonally for 10 steps. If everyone is moving well try some 2 footed hopping in all directions.  These activities should invoke some muscle memory to the movements made last season on snow and for the first timers will introduce the movements. 

I don't often suggest television for training but here goes.  Head to the video store and rent or purchase a couple of ski/ ride movies (something with race slips would be great).  As a family watch the movies and let the kids stand in front of the TV and mimic the movements of the pros.  Once again this activity will get everyone moving like skiers and riders.

The fundamental movements involved in skiing and riding are; Balancing Movements, Rotary Control Movements, Edge Control Movements, and Pressure Control Movements.  Any activity that requires the use of these movements should help get your family back on snow feeling less awkward.