For Steeps, How to Turn the Legs Independent of the Upper Body

[@hayleypbop]

‘Dead bug exercise’ is the best visual I’ve seen to show how the leg moves in the hip socket. Great name, too 😂

[@Osnosis]

BTW, a great off-season exercise to increase your ability in the bumps.

[@elainenilsson5472]

Important point "The hips are a part of the upper body". I have never heard anyone say that. Good job!

[@melissalund6198]

Yep.....in my business (image coach and stylist) the hip is most definitely part of the torso, which is the upper body. This is a great video to get us to consuder this, together with thinking about isolation.

[@davidborof607]

This was a really important video for me, Deb and quite possibly the most helpful one that I have seen on your channel. I have been struggling with knowing the right techniques for the various turn shapes that we encounter all over the mountain (sometimes in a single run!). Knowing that in short turns, in steeps and moguls, that the hips are a part of the upper body and that it is the legs that move independently is the missing piece to the puzzle for me. Can't thank you enough! I am grateful to you for your work!

[@billcurley1]

One of the most frustrating things, biologically the pelvis is part of the lower body, so when someone says upper/lower body separation it is biologically inaccurate...by saying body/leg separation it becomes more clear for those that are more educated. I know several people that were very confused as the examiner kept using the term "lower body" once I explained to them that the examiner was wrong (biologically speaking) in his use of the term they got it and understood.

[@gc3-]

This is the shortest, simplest, clearest explanation of upper and lower body separation I’ve seen. As someone just at this point in the learning process of my skiing journey, I greatly appreciate this !

[@jon1867]

These are easily the most direct and helpful ski videos I've seen

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Great! Spread the word!

[@mrnoodle43]

Great drill BUT I will do this one with my skis on....thx deb.....I Ski when on the chair lift...practice steering the skis while your legs are hanging from the chair....😀😀

[@BrennenL]

What a day to make a ski video, look at the snow! I will fact check myself my form on the steeps if I go this coming Tuesday. THank you!

[@tabcompletion]

Perfect explanation of a powerful concept!

[@mikefelske3564]

Thanks!

[@simonwalmsley7670]

Brilliant ! Such a great illustration 😊

[@lovetoride9646]

Danke!

[@StephenGBarr]

I used this today with a stocky 10 year old boy who just couldn't get the concept of separation and he got it...thank you so much!

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

love this!! Thank you

[@StephenGBarr]

@@DebArmstrongSkiStrong You're welcome...it is such a simple exercise that reaped great rewards.

[@barrybechtold3282]

You’re simply the BEST. Another great video on what we can do to get better. Thank you Deb.

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Thanks Barry!!!

[@paulinap7168]

Sweet goggs, Deb! And great video to drive the point home - move from the leg socket not the hips!

[@BobE_Nagesh]

Thanks Deb for this great explanation of where the source of the turn is activated from. Just yesterday, I was focusing on swiveling my hips while keeping my shoulders pointed down the fall line. After watching this video, I now realize that what was turning was not my hips but was rather where the femur attaches to the hip. This subtle difference is golden. Thank you! 🙏

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Glad the video helped

[@BobE_Nagesh]

@@DebArmstrongSkiStrong Thanks again. I learn so much from you! ❤

[@marcprisant2802]

Excellent demo/warm-up exercise. It is also practical for skiers needing to work on rotary at any level. Wonderful visual.

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

GREAT

[@joseserranosuner]

This is 🥩!!! I was aware of less edge angle and the sort of twisting of the legs (drawing butterflies or angels with your boots on the snow). But less the, how to put it, flexing of the legs (as in kicking a ⚽️ ball left with your right leg and right with your left one)... I've tested it so far this season and it sure makes a difference. Thank you so much from Spain, such a gem!!!

[@josephlabarbera6136]

Hi Deb !!! Love All your video's ! So helpful for me and all skiers ! Thank you My Best Joe L.

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

GREAT!!! Thats why I make the videos.

[@felisaaero]

I literally took a picture of a bug upside down in the snow this Easter weekend at the ski resort. It looks exactly like your pose!!! 🤣 A skill I need to master on the steeps! Thanks Deb!

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

HA! Love it!

[@otisregatoni617]

Solid exercise about tibia/fibula turn

[@weirdbeard1980]

Hey Deb, I love this short this demo and I use it all the time when talking about leg steering. I have a great little thing I do with older clients where I introduce this with a corny joke. "Did you hear how George Harrison from beattles passed away?" Then I lay on the ground with my hands and feet up in the air. Everyone is confused for a second and then I tell em "I'm a dead beattle!!"

[@boban4806]

Hi Deb, I'v been watching your video's since 2 weeks and I'm morę than grateful for your lessons, tips and explanations. I have been skiing since 25 years and see how many things I have been doing wrong. You are a great instructor and mentor, greater even than an athlete. I head to Alps in few days, keen to follow your tips.

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Thank you for the comment 🙏🙏🙏

[@cmlxjcky]

Love your channel and this explanation. To be more precise, when you're on your back, your PELVIS can't turn. Your legs are turning (rotating externally and internally) inside your hip joints, so, technically, your hips are moving, but not your pelvis.

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Did I say the pelvis turns? I hope not. The head of the femur turns in the pelvis.

[@lovetoride9646]

Hi Deb, your ski tips have really helped improve my skiing this season. I would love to ski with you one day. Thanks a lot.

[@alicekane3913]

I'm a 'dead bug,' sitting in front of my computer: My legs are up in the air & doing all the turning while my hips remain still. (I may fall off my chair, but heck it's worth it to me to practice this great exercise.) All I need is a ski slope under my feet & I'll be good to go. Thanks! P.S. Very nice blue jacket. P.P.S. In NYC, we'd call this exercise a "Dead Cockroach." ;->

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

HA!

[@seaskiguy]

Another great tip! This upper/lower body independence or separation is also why a strong core is so important. Love Walkyries Chute! Such great skiing. Taos always struck me as a larger version of Alpental, but it's definitely its own special place. There's just nothing else like it.

[@billcurley1]

Try Sudan ;-)

[@margaretreid6570]

Going to have to get myself to the outdoor dry ski centre once it reopens to practice this; better than no skiing at all. Looking forward to the follow up video!

[@randellreid9357]

Thanks Deb, I will use this tomorrow, cheers.

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

how did it go?

[@randellreid9357]

@@DebArmstrongSkiStrong Ok, they are not the most athletic (NYC) and it's pure torture to get them to release the up hill ski. Don't even ask me where their hips are (:

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

@@randellreid9357 ha!!!

[@teresabuck3305]

This is great explanation

[@RydenAround]

You're videos are awesome Deb! Just an FYI. Your hip was rotating. Your pelvis remains stationary. The hip is a ball and socket joint. The end of the femur is the ball. You're confusing your hip with your pelvis. But regardless, everyone probably understood what you meant! Great job.

[@Motivational.Quotes10k]

Thanks Deb. It is really an honor to learn from a pro.

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Thanks Dan. Take care. Happy skiing

[@whitebeltforlife5271]

I love your videos Deb

[@GoodLifeMedicine]

Always so good. Thank you. My skiing thanks you too!

[@jobagirl]

Great!!!! EXERCISE!!!! i have been trying to separate the two mentally.

[@blairwardman3939]

I liked this. From about 0:56 to 1:04 I turned the screen upside down. Liked it even more.

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Wow, what an idea!!! Great stuff!

[@matteoallegretti1663]

...absolutely...I agree! 👍

[@normalizedaudio2481]

But in a full carve, you can let you body follow the carve a little bit.

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Which is why I say short turns in steeps, moguls, etc.

[@ДедКюрто]

Interesting tip and tip name]dying bug]. I like it. I would offer something else. that I call - "disabled danser" - catch wrists behind the back |no poles|. First couple of minutes your "handless" skier will "float" on the snow like an open newspaper on the wind...but one hour later, you will see expressive change in his "body to feet" cross coordination ..... As far as the "very short turns" are concerned I would dare to express my terms and tips: I will express personal opinion, using diff terms. So called "short turns", are more "stop turns" or "speed control cut turns"', done by "unfinised hockey stops", because the real purpose is not "to turn" but "speed control". There is short "drifting" to "cut" the speed. The trace of turning is narrow - for ex. "in the trails" of the ratrack mashine. I.e., - "unfinised hockey stops" - sharp, cut and drifted turn - narrow "street line" - narrow angle between skies\infront\ and shoulder line\perpendicular of the mov stright line\ are nor 'real turns", but are "stop turns" or "speed control cuts"'. I,ve changhed the terms, because if you tell your pupil to make short turns, he instictively makes wider and wider turns, despite what you tellyell him. It will take two or three days of exersices to learn to make corect "short turns'............ It will take four hours, if he makes this: 30 "full stops" as follows - 50 feet "downhill" - fast full stop, count "one two three", another downhill, another fast full stop, "one two three"...... Next 30 "full stops", but count "one two" - fast stop, "one two", another downhill, another fast stop, "one two"...... Next 30 "full stops", but count "one" - "stop one start", "stop one start", "stop one start". In two hours you will see that skier, totally instinctivelly, will start missing "one" but before full stop will turn immidiatelly on the opsite side, and NB - will do it almost effortless. Thus, he will learn two most important thing. FIRST, to seek and feel "stable ground" under his boots, and SEC, he will feel that in a moment, this "stable ground" will effortless push him up, instead of using feet muscles to bend down and\or stright up. He will stop "pumping" up and down and will start using the "ground"\flat or bumpy\ to flex feet for making turn.. If you use the terrain surficce bumps and conditions, tourist skiing is effortless and pleasant...

[@l-ll_lnGl2Y]

But the question is How do you make those legs to turn faster for tight steep moguls? Any training drills?

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

I say quick feet are happy feet. Faster turning, dynamic balance. quicker foot to foot. how are your quick short turns on groomers. How are your quick turns in bumps? improve those and you will be quicker in the steeps.

[@l-ll_lnGl2Y]

@@DebArmstrongSkiStrong My question was Is there any drill or static exercises to loosen up those hip joints and make them move faster inside hip sockets? So that we can have better and faster turning or foot to foot movement, no matter it’s groomed short turn or steep moguls.

[@hehexd4557]

@@l-ll_lnGl2Y sorry for the necroposting but when you’re on the lift stick your legs out straight (bases facing uphill) and turn them side to side with your ankles while keeping them parallel to each other. They should look like windshield wipers lol.

[@bobdavis2689]

A summertime training drill which I found useful is on the hills behind my house I climb up and then jump down spinning my feet left to right and trying to land more heavily on the downhill foot, all the while keeping my pelvis and shoulders facing down "the fall line." "Foot to foot" jumping. 😜Thx, Deb!

[@gspice71]

More steeps tips please 😊💞

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

yes, more coming

[@wladimirs7166]

Thank you!

[@Osnosis]

I think it makes more sense to refer to the ‘waist’ as the upper body, rather than the hips (conceptually, not anatomically ).

[@cherry.o.]

When got traning at Whistler . I did “ Dead bug exercise” to show other students😂😂

[@dunno558]

Watching Deb demos this season made me so sad as i got lot's of info and yet unable to ski and use it in the slope due to this covid thing.😰

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Next season!!! lets hope we are all through this COVID stuff!

[@joseserranosuner]

Deb when you do turning of the legs (flexing I guess) the kicking a ⚽️ ball left with your right leg, do you at the same time do the opposite move with your left leg (extending?) kicking the ⚽️ ball right and backwards with your left heel? Thaaaaaaank youuuu

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

I’m confused

[@joseserranosuner]

@@DebArmstrongSkiStrong Yes, I can imagine! If I did understand you correctly, you not only twist but you also swing your outer leg around your upper body forward. My question is whether, at the same time, you also swing your inner leg in the opposite direction, around your body backwards? Sorry don't know how to express it better. Thank you!

[@jtwoolley]

how do u move your legs without hips?

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Do this exercise. That’s how to do it😉

[@bobcoggin4618]

Brill 👍🏻

[@RyanECruz-gd9gf]

Taos! :) Yass!

[@felisaaero]

Oh man... Taos kicked my butt so next time I’ll play dead like a bug!

[@panchosierra.6638]

Está nevando en primavera,!!!!...

[@CostantinoLenzi]

God made a great work for sure

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

No doubt

[@IMP3TIGO]

These kinds of videos usually show some actual skiing, weird how this one doesn't.

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

So weird

[@antonyschwarz8749]

Hallelujah and turn to Jesus xx

[@jtwoolley]

0:39 LOL what youre saying so funny

[@otisregatoni617]

I wouldn’t b excited about “arm...strong”“ connotations”...,Lance was/is creepy. Deb is rock solid.

[@karlk9316]

aka Happy Baby?

[@BaoTran-eu8bn]

Oh yeah 100%

[@jtwoolley]

lol

[@borissthings]

Thanks!

[@johnsnyder2884]

Thanks!

[@DebArmstrongSkiStrong]

Thank you🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏😉