Use of the inside leg to change turn radius

[@jonathancannon6823]

Wilson has the winning combo, listening/thinking, always learning, youth and a great coach in Deb's experience and wisdom!

[@alexvolkov529]

Yeah, it's so true! I don't know why I didn't have that ability to listen to and comprehense information given to me in my youth!

[@cwgumby]

Fr totally agree

[@adherencefitsportswellness6377]

This woman recording is amazing!! she’s asking all the right questions and projecting his potential to greatness. She is the coach, the teacher, and she’s transforming him into a masterpiece

[@IvanBilenjkij]

Deb is gold.

[@mrsmartypants_1]

Ha ha ha. I love Wilson’s honesty and openness admitting that he thought Deb “was crazy and I probably shouldn’t listen to you” and then discovers Deb’s advice was spot on. Great teacher and a very smart and articulate 12-yr-old. Kudos.

[@profpat70]

Many teachers focus on outside leg EXTENSION, but, as demonstrated here, inside leg FLEXION is where the real magic starts to happen. Have to say it: Harald Harb (PMTS) was way ahead of the curve with this move.

[@jackh577]

Harb is fantastic!

[@karlk9316]

Yes, Harald Harb observed how the greatest ski racers in the world were skiing as the design of alpine skis suddenly evolved, and designed his Primary Movements Teaching System (PMTS) to be effective and accessible to all skiers including beginners. Harb's learning and teaching materials are outstanding.

[@anatoli28]

Harb,s phantom move is diferent

[@evanfinch4987]

just ski down the damn hill

[@rickmccarren6061]

A ski instructor friend watched this last night and brought the drill with him this morning when we met up. We both instantly felt the skis "attack" the radius as we brought the knee up. What we got really excited about is in teaching this to help our students increase angles without a lot of words about the inclination or angulation. The student will feel this as soon as he/she brings that inside knee higher. We had great fun playing with this all morning. Thanks for the video.

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Love it!!!!! Thank you for the post

[@tominatorix]

What's the drill?

[@rickmccarren6061]

@@tominatorix What we did was to start on harder green to easy blue runs with big C shaped turns and then have the student work into shorter and shorter turns with getting the knee up higher with each turn directing more pressure to the outside as the turns got tighter. For some students, telling them to "open the door with the inside knee and drive the outside ski through the open door" seemed to help get the idea across.

[@chriskvikstad4980]

This is just fantastic. I love this video. As a child of the 1970s and 1980s, learning to ski and then race back then was so different from how it is today. It seemed like a lot of emphasis was placed on the use of weighting and maintaining pressure on the inside edge of the outside ski, and we were taught to really focus on that edge angle. The inside leg wasn't really addressed in the same way it is today with the new ski technologies. It really contributed to a lot of the A-frame stances you see with so many of us who grew up and learned to ski and race during the '70s and '80s. You can pick us out of a group in no time. It's a hard habit to break because it was so ingrained into all of us for so many years. One of my favorite videos is when Deb, Christin Cooper, and Cindy Nelson spend the day just tearing up the mountain together and having fun. Each are incredibly gifted and talented Olympians in their own right and the best ambassadors to the sport that you could ever imagine. At times you can see that A-frame make an appearance even with the best of the best. They are so graceful that it doesn't matter, though. The key is to have fun and enjoy the mountain.

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Love this

[@PhilbyFavourites]

Oh god you’ve just summarised my 40 years of skiing, learning in Spain, France and Austria. Bend zee knees, pressure on the edge, a banana shape to hold the edge. At 63 I just get faster and faster and control disappears at the same rate……

[@jmedaugh]

That was my experience also but modern skis are significantly different (and better) than those 203s we all skied on. These kids today :)

[@PhilbyFavourites]

@@jmedaugh Dynamic (or was it Dynastar?) 205’s with red Nordica Air Trident boots and a bright red C&A ski suit. Damn I looked good. Fast too… I just couldn’t turn!!

[@jmedaugh]

@@PhilbyFavourites I was on Dynamic VR 17s myself back then, I wasn't nearly as cool as you though! We did that stemming and unweighting/pole plant move so we could float down the hill like Ingemar Stenmark. It did not work in my case :)

[@paulmorin2582]

Wow, you are a truly gifted instructor, Deb.... on the technical aspects, of course, but also in how you communicate with your students. Using the Socratic method is great, but it's especially great with kids, as sometimes they shock you in how well and articulately they describe the key points of what you're teaching them. It's also clear that Wilson is a willing and very capable student, which is awesome. I really enjoy watching your instructional videos and I learn something from every one of them.

[@roblipton9121]

this is a really effective video in so many ways, the skiing, the instruction, the socratic interaction. Core strength and angulation are the goals here, and the idea of the "inside leg" is a good approach towards getting there. You are still treating the skis independently and dynamically, which is super important for all sorts of conditions, particular hard surfaces.

[@MrCougarmania]

Thanks Deb and Wilson, I learned so much from this post , ps I am a late starter at skiing, 64 yrs young and never too old to learn

[@Rocstoneau]

Me too.

[@ziggymatuszewski2803]

and this is just 12 year old kid.... look at him skiing and how mature his understanding of skiing is, wow, this kid will make it to the podium. Thanks Deb, another great educational video !!!! Thank you :))

[@cdawg9149]

Started using the inside ski the last ten years of my skiing. It allows you to take your ski game to a whole new level. Hard snow, powder, especially bumps / steeps, and hi speed turns. Not to mention the racing turn where it is mandatory. Love the fact that you train young skiers to do it. It also may eliminate a lot of injuries with much better control in all conditions and speed.

[@anthonyb.9336]

Watching the end of the video I am very impressed with Wilson's control of the transition from usinf his hip flexors to initiate the turn and then gently leaning into it and increasing the edge angle. His movement has great fluidity. Being able to execute that on every turn flawlessly shows how strong of a skier he is.

[@barrygoldkind99]

His technical descriptions and knowledge are full cert level. Awesome.

[@crazyrock6896]

53 and just getting back into skiing. I grew bored in my twenties, didn't think I could get better. Just 'discovered' carving January '23, and I'm obsessed. Love your videos too Deb.. Thanks! PS, Wilson is heading for the Olympics.

[@choski76]

These kids are blessed to have your coaching Deb! That fellow is well on his way. Beautiful carving

[@mbal4052]

Hi Debs, I’m just home from a weeks skiing and I had to come back to this video to thank you. While carving i drove that inside leg hard and it was amazing!

[@MacPE6]

This is one of my goals for this ski season. I'm not working to race just carve harder and have more fun. For me driving the inside leg is a work in progress and as he put it "stacking" allows for increased edge angle creating more confidence while ripping down the hills. Thanks for sharing all that you do.

[@stevedoe1630]

This exchange was fun to watch. Awesome example of coaching… the athlete knew all the content, and the coach knew how to steer the athlete. _(both in discussion and in motion)_

[@Osnosis]

Wilson! Wilson! I knew you when you were just a little volleyball, and now look at you. As for Deb, spot on as usual. Two things to note here: “don’t just park & ride” is a brilliant distinction on the one edge set versus the addition of the inside edge set (see Harald Harb), and I would say ‘leveling’ is also a pinch in the waist (outside edge side), which is why he’s feeling the core using this technique.

[@lutze.schlange8693]

"Working the inside leg" translates into narrower stance: gradually shifting inside leg backward (and outside leg forward) while sensing pressure on your shin and (big) toe (in German we call this "achsenneutrale Fussstellung") -- Great stuff! 👌

[@sarahdockery3665]

My 8 yr old watched this & it made so much more sense to him! He loved that there was a kid demonstrating! Excellent video!

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Fantastic!!!

[@terrybarbour9760]

This is awesome. This component of good skiing will add dynamics to everyone's skiing! Love how Deb's questions draw out beautifully simple explanations from Wilson. To feel and explain what a movement does to your skiing is the key to "owning" it! Absolutely love this video!

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Thanks Terry!!!!!

[@jean-pierremeloche4540]

Deb you're a blessing to this sport and have a very high IQ not only about skiing but also on how to teach it to others. Keep posting it's amazing and I'm for one am a better skier because of it. Thanks

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Thank you

[@MisterHughes]

Loving Wilson's awareness. Love seeing when kids get the feel of that scissor turn-inititiation and start working their legs independently with a solid level core. Kids understand this stuff much more readily than they get credit for, which is why I never talk down to kids I train.

[@2beCuil]

Wow that’s amazing to see. So nice that you teach all those kids and how great that Wilson knows exactly where he’s improving.

[@hayleypbop6997]

Lots of useful info on what shortening the inside leg will do for edge angle and these videos always make me smile; finally accepting Deb’s wisdom 😆

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Love it Hayley👍👍💪💪

[@stephenweiss6001]

Deb is such a great teacher and just an awesome person! I'm an old dog (51years old) with bad habits. Every video helps me see how much I'm getting wrong. Haha. One thing this video helps me to see I need to change is the involvement of my inside ski/knee. I mean, I grew up skiing with different technique (albeit poor), e.g., when you turned left, you sorta lifted your left (inside) ski and put all the pressure on your outside right ski. What I notice nowadays is that when, say, you're turning left, the tip of your left, inside ski is actually a bit in front of the tip of the outside right ski (if you were to look at them side by side when making a turn). I try so hard to get it right, but without actual lessons, it's really hard to be self-taught to the point you get everything right. These videos help. I've been doing much wrong. Just this one change regarding my inside ski is significantly helping me in turns and in dealing with my biggest problem: speed control on steeper runs. Anyways, thanks Deb! I seriously will send you a gift card for all I've learned from your videos if I learn how.

[@patcassara7115]

Love how simple Wilson explains things. Keep it simple.

[@CoreQ]

This instructor is the best I have seen so far.

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Thank you😉😉👍👍

[@cliang001]

i can see the tears from your eyes when he answered your question so beautifully. Well done deb.

[@larrynjr]

I did this today, possibly for the 1st time, it took some getting used to but this has changed my skiing for the better! tight smooth rail turns. no more chattering skis. Thanks very much!

[@thomastheys6681]

Hey Coach! Log this comment in your diary. I cannot wait to see this kid in four more years. Hopefully the focus and the excitement will make it through the teen years and then watch out world cup.! Thomyt

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Love it

[@joshcourt6744]

Came back to rewatch this and the first statement Wilson made hit me. I have always noticed my inside ski comes forward when im carving well, but struggled to reproduce the good carving by thinking inside ski forward. The real cue was shorten the inside leg! Ski comes forward because the knee comes forward, not because the hip does!

[@riccapatrol]

One of the best upload Alpine Ski analysis videos of 2021/22 season! Bravo 👏👏👏💯

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Thank you!!!

[@riccapatrol]

Well done Wilson & Deb 👏

[@cameronwhite2312]

Deb, I can't thank you enough for making these videos. I started skiing 3 years ago after snowboarding for 20+ years, and practicing the techniques that you go over has taken my skiing to the next level. It's April, and I'm already looking forward to next season to put these skills to work. Thank you!!!

[@dianeboross6978]

Watched and applied last year - big game changer. Revisiting today, great refresher. Thank you, Deb!

[@simonwalmsley7670]

Awesome job Wilson, great insight, so helpful and well explained.

[@BabTheBabs]

That IS the technical detail I've been trying to understand all year so that I can apply it. Thank you, now I know what to do!!!

[@AGGROxNightmare]

Thanks

[@kallen68]

This is my favorite and best information yet. I can understand this delivery with both of them communicating about it. Thank you

[@anthonygianacopoulos9918]

With a ski acumen like that and a sophisticated understanding of the mechanics that he shows at his age I will not be surprised if we see this kid on the World Cup tour before he’s 18 y/o. My U14 daughter is watching this right now. Kids learn so much better from their peers than from their coaches or any other adults.

[@mailitedd185]

Wilson, thank you so much for this video and for the one you did talking about driving the inside hip. Today was my first day back on snow and I spent my whole time thinking about and working on what you explained. It rocked my world!! Keep inspiring me buddy!!

[@tonyg3091]

Deb, your vids are getting better and better.

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Im learning😉😉 thank you

[@justinrfogarty780]

Dear Deb and Wilson. Super well done. It is interesting how this move shortens the inside leg and allows inclination by the active use of the inside leg and knee and leg as opposed to the much talked about and misunderstood softening and flopping or toppling espoused by the Aussies and New Zealanders .The real racers I am watching here right now where I am in Europe do not fall inside or flop or topple they use the inside leg.with a deliberate move. This is so good. There is so much misinformation out there and misunderstanding. Thanks for helping with clarity.

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Good stuff

[@Rocstoneau]

I’m so impressed with Wilson’s skiing all thanks to you Deb. You’re a fantastic coach.

[@CalvinPettengill]

This is the only KZbin video that tells you how to make shorter carved turns. All the rest say to shorten you inside ski but dont tell you how to do it. Thanks Deb 😄 ps I'm 85 still skiing and teaching

[@EnderAnimals4]

My mom learned to ski in her late 40s and has had a hard time getting out of her awkward learners stance and I talked to her the other day about using her inside leg and she’s looking amazing, awesome as always deb :)

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Fantastic!!!!!!!! Thanks for the comment

[@chriscowan6630]

Nothing like another excellent ski tip from Deb days before you leave for a Lake Louise ski trip! Thanks for the content Deb….!

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Great!!!!!! Have fun.

[@ruaraidhmcdonald-walker9524]

This really clicked for me when I thought about it more like a power turn in hockey. After that you can carve one footed on the outside edge of the inside ski. Such a blast!! Wilson's a great teacher!!!

[@thomasmedeiros5722]

This is a nice drill we can all do to build our skills as we ski early season runs on low angle terrain or cross over to another lift. Best example of why ski racers make great free skiers. Lots of respect for a Olympic Gold Medal winner teaching kids and giving back to the sport.

[@nancyschindler4844]

Deb, Thanks so much for allowing us to see you and your students share in the making of the magic of advanced skiing !

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Thanks Nancy

[@bartekkulach1114]

Deb, I have listened a lot of trainers and read many books over the years when i was racing, but you are the best! The way you talk things is so different and so amazing, I use a lot from your movies while i’m coaching young racers in ski club. Thank’s!

[@Cameron-ue7lu]

Awesome, great way to describe importance of the uphill ski in the hunt for the sharpest carve! Good luck with your career.

[@julierosenberg5020]

Deb has become my Idol, Mentor! concise-specific info making learning and reinforcement easy!!

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Thanks Julie!!!!!

[@showze21]

wilson has a great turn for a u 14. i do a modified telemark turn on alpine skis sometimes to vary the turn radius. so, instead of edging the inside ski at the ball all the time, like a proper ski racer turn, sometimes i shift the edging of the inside ski back towards the tail, and use that as the pivot point for the rotation in the turn. at the same time i push the out side ski out a bit into wedge, and i can do what ever turn radius i want around the inside ski pivot. i call it a "surfer turn" because it feels sort of surfy. its not as fast nor good on ice as a proper ski racer turn, but its fun

[@darrenanderson4921]

Way to go Wilson! Great skiing and great ability to express what you are learning and doing on your skis! Good luck this year!!

[@kenanvanvranken7817]

becoming a graceful and powerful skier! thanks, deb, the importance of the inside knee

[@mikemelina7395]

Wow! Debbie Armstrong is as good an instructor as she was a ski racer. Brava.

[@tabphilip669]

As someone with a 12 year old grand-daughter who races, this is gold dust…. Many thanks.

[@jmswng77]

Love ur teaching style and enthusiasm, Deb!

[@jameszeng2666]

I learned so much in this 7 min video I think tomorrow when I am finally back on snow, I will be much better ... Thanks Deb!

[@Harrylymon]

This is great! He is so responsive to the instruction and has such insightful answers.

[@otisregatoni617]

An open mind, black & white instruction ...... good combo. Young gentleman to watch.

[@peters6119]

Intelligent athlete. He understands the technical aspect of his sport really well for such a young athlete. He explains it as well as any coach.

[@ronaldvanengen1887]

Wilson is phenomenal The next American Alberto Tomba!! ❤😊 Great student Great instructor ❤

[@ardenpowers7730]

Great to see some one at this age able to understand and put everything together with confidence ! I know a lot of skiers much older than Wilson that don't get it !!

[@gowithgid3274]

In the "old days" we used to call it riding the uphill ski. We worked on moving our pressure to the uphill ski just before the turn. This was really necessary when you were skiing 203c skis. You could get hung on the downhill ski is you rode it too long. My guess is this young many will be a very good racer as he ages.

[@ghassanhannouche5790]

Thank you Deb, you’re amazing. This video changed my skiing forever. Wilson is awesome

[@ageofaqu]

Adopting this technique has changed the way I ski. Thank you! 🙏🏽

[@tannerdillingham1798]

Definitely a really good technique, my race coach use to tell us to carve with 70% outside pressure and 30% inside, this would give us enough juice to push the inside leg forward and stay on top of the gate. I really liked the way Wilson explained this, he’s a great role model.

[@psmith6166]

I love the explanations and examples in this video. I also wonder why every slope always has people sitting in the middle of it. I get that you may need a break, I'm old enough I often do too, just move to the side.

[@alejandrogutierrez6923]

Kid knows his stuff! Love this channel and love this fundamentals reminder!

[@Baldrick344]

Hi Deb. Greetings from New Zealand. Your answer to one of these questions has prompted me to ask if you would make a video for senior skiers showing how we can combine our existing skills with appropriate strategies to keep challenging ourselves by setting goals. One example might be... "let's try this slightly steep run, stay well in control, and keep moving fluidly with balance and rhythm "

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

I like that idea!!!!! We will see. I have lots of content to get through and not enough time!!!!!!! Thanks for the comment.

[@patrickburns4607]

This is so cool to watch. You are training this kid to be elite and possibly be a champion someday.

[@ski6712]

our old coach Marcus who was an Austrian and Canadian champion many years ago taught this method to us kids and this really worked in the race course and reduced the DNF's a lot and even produced some wins🤗

[@mikepolaski5862]

Good instructional video. We also need to work with the youngsters on etiquette and sharing the slopes. At 1:04 and 2:23 he comes fairly close to other skiers. That can freak out a beginner.

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Yes, good point

[@Capo51]

This young guy is skiing well, and what is even more astonishing is, how he analyses the things involved. 👍. Grear teaching too! And not bad shooting either✌️.

[@PMAINTX1]

Wilson’s lucky to have a dedicated coach like Deb & he’s teachable. Great combination! ⛷️

[@SeanMcDonald-xo2oc]

Great stuff Deb and Wilson! Nice skiing!

[@RK-ig5hy]

Never thought I'd learn so much from a 12 year old!

[@highc6866]

Deb, I started watching your videos a few days ago because I’m going to keystone at the end of February. I haven’t skiied in 3 years. 😳 Your videos are the best I’ve found at getting me ready. Thanks.

[@christianmalm8838]

Exellent discussion, analysis and demostation. Thank you Deb, thank you Wilson

[@craigzolan1508]

Love the content and explanations from you (and Wilson). Keep up the great work!

[@live4powderhound834]

Love seeing all these kids pushing themselves! One of the best Deb videos!! Not Dirty!!

[@erikwilliams7009]

I just found your channel. This video is brilliant on many levels! . The teaching, the rapport, and the isolated skills enhancement. Wow Also, I'm a B.A., History , UNM, '88. Woof Woof Woof! So there's that :)

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Glad you found me Erik!!! Go Lobos❤❤

[@kumbahutt1514]

Bloody brilliant! Thanks, Wilson and instructor!

[@christieb.837]

This was fun to watch. Exceptional coaching, great kid!

[@TheRausing1]

This is super inspiring, and man does that kid ski good! I’m 26, been skiing my whole life and I don’t ski as nice as him. I wish I had you as a coach lol !

[@gogglebro9421]

Deb, I’ll have to watch this video again (or maybe a few times) to understand it. I am familiar with lightening the inside leg, shortening the inside leg, but don’t recall ever hearing anyone talk about “driving” the inside leg. If I may ask you for clarification, I’ll state it as a question. Should I think about the motion of the inside leg as 1.) driving it (projecting it forward), or 2.) shortening it (tucking it up), or 3.) a combination of the two actions whereas driving the inside leg forward will shorten it at the same time? If I’m missing the point or my question makes no sense and I’m off track, feel free to say so. Thanks. - Marshall

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Combo of the two. Maintain the ankle flexion of the inside leg. Very important.

[@gogglebro9421]

@@DebArmstrongSkiStrong OK, I get it. I tested it out in my stocking feet to understand the biomechanics of engaging the inside leg as you describe it. My takeaway is that its a good way for me to think about and to be proactive with the inside leg throughout the turn. Thanks for another great tip. //Marshall

[@rickguthrie7662]

I had the same confusion - great question - I just went skiing at Crystal yesterday and saw someone else doing this and I struggled. I am still wondering what this feels like but will give it a try - much appreciated!

[@gogglebro9421]

@@rickguthrie7662 Rick, I haven't seen you ski. Let me say in general that driving the inside leg is only a component of the total movement to arc a turn. So this tip by itself out of context might be an uncomfortable movement for someone. What I feel is pressure transferred to the inside edge of the outside ski. I hope you can work it out through trial and error. Good luck.

[@rickguthrie7662]

@@gogglebro9421 Thanks for your response - looking forward to figuring this technique out

[@prospervandale6818]

This kid is an absolute beast! I bet we’ll see him on tv in the next 5-10 years.

[@pabllo2004]

I can watch good carving turns all day long , love it

[@petercreagh8797]

Maybe not what you are on about here but 30 years ago I bought thermal supports to wear on my knees made out of wetsuit material so my knees would not freeze when I fell as a beginner skier at the time but I have ended up wearing them ever since as they offer shock protection in twisting falls and make my turns more powerful. They are good to wear when cycling too.

[@anthonyb.9336]

In his demo, his third turn in my head was like "that was a really ugly turn" then the group of skiers he was avoiding games into the camera. I guess Wilson is an excellent skier. He taught me some things watching this video.

[@deantonkin2369]

Deb - Movement Analysis of Inside Ski Demo: I observe 5 things happening in the sequencing of the carving...alignment of knees hips, ankles, boots/skis and subsequent ski lead change and upper body countering for fall line carving. Furthermore, it is the hips and core that are the key to the effortless delivery of power to the performance. Comment? Deanski

[@natv1022]

The turns at 5:04 is next level.

[@howardxhong]

Thanks!

[@richardwarren449]

I have had this idea in my teaching for years, and I'm still working on it for myself, too. Great video. Noticeable difference when going from static to active on inside knee and leg. Only thing I don't like is the term driving. Some people might get the wrong idea.

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

What is a term you like instead of driving? Always open to ideas.😉

[@ArcFixer]

@@DebArmstrongSkiStrong I got nothin. I'm good with "driving." But I experience it as stacking my inside knee over the inside edge of my outside ski and bending it ruthlessly. I like short turns. Whatever you call it, the inside knee is not just along for the ride. It's The Boss if you know how to use it.

[@ryanpilgrim4123]

@@ArcFixer Would it be considered more that inside knee driving forward ahead of the outside knee? This creates a shorter/flex inside leg but not necessarily by picking it up but driving it forward? I don’t know... I am a bit confused by what is meant by the term “driving”. Very impressive kid!

[@ryanpilgrim4123]

@@DebArmstrongSkiStrong Would it be considered more that inside knee driving forward ahead of the outside knee? This creates a shorter/flex inside leg but not necessarily by picking it up but driving it forward? I don’t know... I am a bit confused by what is meant by the term “driving”. Very impressive kid!

[@ArcFixer]

@@ryanpilgrim4123 Hi Ryan. What to do with the inside knee can be confusing. The role of the outside ski is straightforward and obvious. The role of the inside ski is not so straightforward and obvious. You can make pretty good turns with a passive inside knee. I've formulated several replies to your question, but they all seemed to add to the confusion rather than reducing it, so I abandoned them. I'm giving it one more shot, weeding out as much of the confusion as I can. "Driving" the inside ski is not just one thing. I drive my inside knee in different ways, each appropriate to the terrain, snow conditions, and what type of turns I choose to make. And this can vary from turn to turn. On longer turns, I utilize the notion of advancing the inside ski and letting my inside knee lead and shape the turn. For short quick turns, my preference, I actually slightly retract my inside ski to position it better for very quick and precise transitions. But for me, the notion of driving the inside knee is not adequately defined by its various anatomical manifestations. It is the recognition of and commitment to the fact that in high performance skiing, everything counts. Particularly the inside knee. Its position dictates the geometry of the inside leg, which has a noticeable effect on the relationship between your center of mass and your loaded edge. The primary relationship in skiing. Accepting and committing to this reality is half the battle. Note that even a smart kid like Wilson admitted that it sounded "crazy" to him when he was introduced to the concept. But now he knows better and is all in, with obvious results. What's my takeaway? "Driving" is a more visceral term for "Commitment." Committing your inside leg to the turn with the same fervor as we commit to our outside leg is a primary element of high performance skiing. How this commitment manifests anatomically will vary. To figure out what works for you and when and where, you have to ski as much as you can and experiment. I know spending lots of time on the mountain with your friends and the wind in your face can be tough, but you just have to suck it up and deal with it. : ) Parting shot: The outside ski lives in the present. The inside ski lives in the future.

[@BucoBucolini]

I was out on the slope with the friend over the weekend and I asked him try to lead with his inside uphill leg saying that's gonna help him get into carving. He asked why and we talked about it a little but I knew there's a Deb video out there talking about it. And here we go.

[@michelesmith4407]

I learn so much from your videos. Thank you. I’m going to Steamboat tomorrow and just learned you teach there!

[@christiaanwesterkamp1421]

This is such a great video! I’m going to practice this technique on the slopes this weekend!!