6 ski technique mistakes (myths) busted by Marcel Hirscher

[@licurgius]

one of the reasons why like your analysis so much and I consider you an absolute authority about ski technique is that your are absolutely not dogmatic about what and how skiing technique should be! When i first saw this clip a couple weeks, man did that made me crave for snow; so much fun to see this guy rip the groomers. cheers!

[@ReillyMcGlashan]

I appreciate this comment!

[@peterchapko2638]

Here is my take; sure” Marcel Hirscher" can do this but most skiers will have a hard time getting away with what he is doing. First, he free skis kind of (somewhat) like he is racing. Racers use the rebound from the ski to accelerate them into the next turn, this comes off the back of the ski primarily (end of turn), the more you can energize the ski in this area the better, he is still projecting his body into the apex of the new turn and if you just adjust the center of force back to where he wants it, he is still centered. He comes off the ground between turns because he gets so much rebound out of the ski and its fun, in races he keeps it more in snow contact, just like his hand position at his side, he does not do this in races much at all (his hands are out front), he is freeskiing and his balance is so good he can get away with it. Same with his banking (inside ski pressure) and when his hand touches the snow thing, in freeskiing he can get away from being more over the outside ski, I don’t think this occurs very often in a race throughout the turn as shown here. One more comment, the trick is to master "projection" moving your center of mass into the apex of the new turn while letting your skis cross underneath you and completing the previous turn simultaneously. I think there are a few things to keep in mind, caveats I would add; one Hirscher is an animal, it is very exhausting to ski like him, takes a lot more muscular strength to hold back "G" forces from this aft pressure build-up position. Better for a long ski day to keep more stacked, forward. Also, sometimes in GS races racers will let a hand get back then drive it into the next turn for added speed. There are often exceptions to rules but sometimes you need to be Hirscher to ski like him and break the rules but it certainly doesn’t invalidate them for the rest of us. I would also add, for most people rounder turns are more graceful and less stressful than pure race techniques. Second, just because he can skip some fundamentals in his freeskiing does not give us an excuse to get sloppy with ours. He has fully mastered the fundamentals first!

[@wilkiegj]

True all that you said. Plus if he is on race skis in this video, which is likely, they cannot be bought by anyone and they are designed for one thing. It is possible to ski them somewhat normally but they are a handful if they are in race tune. Also within the race dept the very best skis go to the very best racers, so he is skiing on the very best available doing what he does that virtually no one else on the planet can do. I cannot really criticize that.

[@stevensegall3736]

@@wilkiegj if they are in fact FIS race skis he’d be handicapped by artificial geometry requirements that would make extreme edge angulation harder. Many of these broken rules are being regularly employed in the race course and be handled competently

[@stevensegall3736]

Sorry hit publish too fast. These are being employed by moderately competent junior racers and can be replicated on consumer level race inspired skis.

[@PB-sk9jn]

Spot on the aft tail pressure / rebound kick was all the rage in the '90's SL technique pre-carving skis. Hirscher is doing exactly this, but updated for the modern era.

[@sucapizda]

Forgot to mention, he has nuclear powered quad muscles.

[@richardelder256]

Remember when he was getting beat by 2 seconds at the hands of Ted Ligity and would be so knackered he could hardly breath during the podium interviews? The magic of the weight room!

[@sir_bumpalot]

Rebound airtime is just fun. Living on the edge, always a bit out of control. I love it.(on my level ;) )

[@ReillyMcGlashan]

I love it!

[@nickreaderphoto]

How refreshing to hear a ski instructor being objective and responding to the skier they are watching and not just delivering the cliche. If Ski Instructors spend 30 years saying "Get forward" to anyone and everyone without even watching the skier, then we end up exactly in the situation i find myself in when giving level 3 courses/exams.... Experienced skiers often have locked ankles, skiers are resting on the tongue of the boot, as a result we see downsteming, we see skid break short turns. It creates excess vertical movements, this limits lateral deflection and makes speed and arcs difficult... etc etc.... I say follow this guys example and watch the individual and don't have preconceived ideas! nice video Reilly. Using video of the best in the world is the best way to make your point!

[@ReillyMcGlashan]

Really interesting insight. Thanks for sharing :)

[@bergfex1679]

The funny thing is that I have never heard of these technique mistakes so far. I have always watched the WC racers especially Hirscher and tried to copy his style. And I can absolutely say that it is the greatest fun to ride down the slopes with Marcels technique.

[@PB-sk9jn]

Hirscher brings rebound for joy back into slalom, when everyone else values arc to arc and says any energy not moving forwards is wasted. I love his skiing. Power, panache, and flight when he's not redirecting his motion. Almost preferred his first three world cup seasons to late Hirscher, had more rebound and power, even if less predictable. Hirscher shows that the fastest skiing and most fun skiing can still be the same.

[@PB-sk9jn]

2010 Val d'Isere, sheer exuberance, watched in slow motion (0.25 speed) it's awesome how little of the distance is spent in contact with the snow (which has a certain lack of control ! but he's choosing exactly when to extend and establish that contact): kzbin.info/www/bejne/apq2e4eQa5iZj7c

[@a.m.9466]

Great video and comments. A ski day isn’t complete without some snappy rebounds on the Racetigers!, just saying

[@RichardGeresPT]

That’s why I sit back in my turns! Because unknowingly, subconsciously I’m imitating Marcel’s style 😎. Great video analysis! 👍

[@ReillyMcGlashan]

😂💪

[@peterchapko2638]

To own the right to break the rules first you master it.... No shortcuts

[@RichardGeresPT]

@@peterchapko2638 good one! 🙌

[@paulcook347]

Stop the music! It is distracting. Thanks for the video!

[@mobaumeister2732]

Most of the techniques he uses are for highly advanced skiers only, less experienced skiers would have a hard time trying to learn like that. I think many of the ground rules are devised to help aspiring skiers to learn basic techniques, however with increased experience and fitness skiers can develop their own styles and technique, as Marcel does.

[@ReillyMcGlashan]

Yes, exactly

[@francescogallo6481]

Wow that is really cool. Super fun to watch and I love the take away message of just having fun and learning what is possible for us personally. Marcel looks like he has springs in his legs.

[@ReillyMcGlashan]

Yes just learn what is possible for you... Not many people can ski like Hirscher does here, and just have fun!

[@xcubos]

@@ReillyMcGlashan For me the fundamental question is whether young skiers who are starting to develop their technique should be taught the "right" fundamentals or instead let them find what works best for them even if it is unorthodox.

[@ReillyMcGlashan]

@@xcubos I think that is up to the coach or instructor to help guide the student to help them learn what "is possible for them personally" as Francesco said. I will only ever teach one of my students what they need to learn to get better... I am not teaching people crazy techniques left field to throw them off (unless they are at that level and it is what they want)... Every student is different and also have different goals, but the takeaway is finding the techniques that make skiing the most enjoyable for you... If skiing a green run all day in a wedge makes you happy and you don't want to learn anything else then hey, who am I to say it's wrong... All i could do would be to encourage them to at least want to get to parallel as it is easier on the legs. 🤷‍♂️

[@qualityservice5840]

Skiing is an art, as long as the brush is handled by Marcel on the easel, I think he is best able to highlight these mistakes. There are frequent and many who think they are coaches, do not know how to correct them due to lack of professionalism. All the admiration, I watched you and I regret that you no longer delight us with that beautiful dance on skis. Thanks

[@anninadebiasi912]

He's my favourite skier! Really enjoyed the video, I always loved his wild style when he raced

[@ReillyMcGlashan]

he's one of my favourite too!

[@benjaminkirk2073]

I think a lot of the reason he is able to accomplish this is modern equipment. Straight and early parabolic skis required skiers to be more on top of their skis and maintain a forward stance. Failure to do so could lock your tails in a turn if carving and be far more work if sliding turns. Modern equipment seems to require skiers to have a more neutral stance -- driving with your shins is not as necessary as it used to be. I agree with some of the other posters who feel he didn't learn to ski "properly." However, it is interesting to watch someone ski at such a high level doing it all "wrong." Thanks for posting this, it's really interesting.

[@MadelnMachines]

I'm a ski instructor and a reasonably advanced skier (not expert). I love when the skis leave the snow due to rebound - it's awesome. I'm also forever get told by trainers that I get into the backseat at the end of the turn. All ski racers do it though. I like the point that you're making - good skiing is a very subjective thing.

[@urbanrunoff]

when i ski a FIS SL ski i end up in the backseat at the end of a turn a lot too . could it be that those skis are just too stiff for their length for "fun" skiing. (and Hirscher is a big dude too)

[@stevensegall3736]

It isn’t really that subjective. His style is optimized for getting down a set course as quickly as possible.

[@christianlow6006]

Enjoyed the video. Clearly here Hirscher is having fun and more or less just "fooling around" in this freeski run. The way many of us do. Certainly even he would admit that he is making a few fundamental "mistakes" that would absolutely not be his preference in a pure race situation. Like the occasion when he accidently gets twisted around to the right with arms behind him while turning left. As it says in the disclaimerd, on't take this skiing seriously. Agree just enjoy it and have fun out there.

[@ReillyMcGlashan]

Thanks for reading the disclaimer! I am glad you can see it is just a little bit of fun this video... Nothing to be taken seriously, just some entertainment and watching a master at work on the hill

[@stevensegall3736]

He does most of these things in the race course too. The way he transitions knee bend and edge contact, getting back seat. It’s maybe even a little more stylized here but he’s taking what’s fast in the race course to free skiing. I’d anything I think he’s pointing out that some of the ski instructor stuff is becoming over stylized and not functional.

[@JayCeeEss1337]

Yesss! I was hoping for an analysis like this. I've grown to really love this style of skiing with the dropping inside hand and airborne pivots in super high performance turns

[@ReillyMcGlashan]

Glad you liked it! I love this skiing too!

[@dadou465]

Absolutely love your analysis and totally correct having tought for 60 years and raced for that many I have gone through so many changes in this wonderful evolving sport and I really appreciate your getting out of the norm and saying exactly what you see bravo

[@ReillyMcGlashan]

Much appreciated

[@freeyourmind3480]

You could not compare marcel hirschers ski skills with the skills from the rest pf the world. He was and he is a legend and the only guy on this planet who can skiing like no other. And he also learned skiing with the ski school metods.

[@InspirationalSkiing]

I love this video, Reilly! Marcels skiing is absolutely outstanding in the gates and it is such a pleasure to watch him free ski - AND to hear your awesome analysis and take on ski technique. I very much agree with the points you are making in this video. Your videos - and the videos from Projected Production - has been a great source of learning and inspiration to me for a long time, keep them coming! /Janus

[@ReillyMcGlashan]

Thanks mate! I appreciate the comment. You are making some great stuff too!

[@InspirationalSkiing]

@@ReillyMcGlashan Thanks, mate!

[@ErnestoRodriguezPerez]

To own the right to break the rules first you master it.... No shortcuts

[@Osnosis]

@@busterkirkwood Yes, this video is just Marcel having fun and chilling out. He doesn't race this way, with the caveat that with bomber quads and 60-80 mph, you will find yourself pushed back at that 90 degree angle, but when they are, they are really reaching forward and squeezing the abdominals not to fall. As an expert skier, I can do things that I wouldn't teach, but that's because of all the other skills that go into being an expert.

[@stevensegall3736]

He’s a little sloppy with his hand position but almost everything else he does in the race course. You won’t find a video of him skiing in ski instructor form because it isn’t actually efficient.

[@lorenzoluizdesouza1215]

Or... It could be a sort of a pendulum momentum tactic to aid with foreafts and increase speed

[@terrybarbour9760]

Right on Reilly! Thank you for posting this! All dynamic skiers will leave the snow with rebound when they get energy out of the tail of the ski. Key is to be strong enough and have the timing to stay with the skis when they zing. Shiffrin does this in slalom also!

[@ReillyMcGlashan]

So true!

[@OLEGUBAN]

Beware that some elements of the skiing technique do not scale with the steepness of the slope. Hips over feet and a pronounced re-centering (hands in front, pole planting) are still required in tight turns on steep slopes.

[@Marius_Quast]

niiiice! great work, Reilly. Keep it up.

[@ReillyMcGlashan]

Thanks Marius!

[@asterixve]

Great video, great analysis and, more rare, right approach fr a ski instructior about recreational skiing, although of the highest standard. No pure dogmas, but fluidity, dynamism, fun and freedom as key elements of free skiing

[@ReillyMcGlashan]

Well said!

[@johnklaus9111]

i tried this transition last time i went skiing and it is amazingly secure feeling. works better on harder surfaces. if you recant the hill to align with his centripetal acceleration vector, you'd see his mass is over his center. the pop isn't a pop in this sense and he's popping because he's shortening the ski radius instead of riding it around. I was blown away by how stable this technique is!!!

[@cranny1321]

I really liked your video. I have been watching lots of videos of Candide Thovex and he always looks like he is also in the back seat but has more control and balance than any free skier I've ever seen

[@andreaskriegner7983]

The 'arm behind the back' thing you talked about, I have hardly ever seen that beeing taught or mentioned. Yet many great (GS) skiers use it when enough time..Hirscher, Pinturault, Zubcic, Kranjec,..

[@ReillyMcGlashan]

yes it definitely does happen

[@TheZaratustra1989]

@@ReillyMcGlashan it happen just because these movements are customisations of personal skiing styles, known as unbalanced movement to increase momentum at the end of the turn, increasing speed. You can teach these movements just to really high skilled skiers, otherwise a intermediate/high skilled skier will crash for sure. A skilled ski instructor teaching to a person, let say just for 3 hours, can't even mention about this stuff, is just way more important to teach to gain more control. If someone is interested to learn this stuff is way better to join a ski team or at least take a proper amount of ski lessons. Racing skiing and slope skiing are completely different things.

[@rrajcan]

Absolutely amazing. The Marcel skiing, and Your analysis as well! Thank You!

[@ReillyMcGlashan]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@richallsopp9313]

Your content has been getting better and better recently! I love this video, Marcel makes it look so stylish in a way that many high end instructors look accurate but I confined

[@ReillyMcGlashan]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@PaulJurczak]

Going far to the backseat with about 90 degrees knee bent to initiate the turn was one of the techniques I was taught in the 70s. Of course these were skidded turns on straight skis, but some of the dynamics probably translates to aggressive carved slalom turns.

[@idealphotography8215]

I love this! in #5 (hand behind the back) I think it's not just an aesthetic choice but part of early counter rotation.

[@Assaulting16]

think the points in this video are completely valid and true... However, Marcel is top 1% of skiers (probably) he is able to perform these turns incredibly well ignoring all of the 'myths'. Teaching people how to turn a basic parallel turn, the "myths" are to assist that they achieve that quickly and building good habits. yes they could achieve it doing these things demonstrated in the video eventually but its more to aid teaching rather than to tell them false tips! not taking seriously but to put in perspective we can indeed bust these technique mistakes with a top level skier. Maybe not with a newbie! great video! 👍

[@ReillyMcGlashan]

I agree! I would never teach beginner or intermediates or even people "starting" to be able to go into the advanced realm of skiing what hirscher is doing.... it is just a fun lighthearted video...

[@wallstreetoneil]

Great video! I grew up competing in many sports & tennis comes to mind as teachers would teach you proper strokes but competition forced you to find different grips & speed-generating techniques to hit harder & with more spin to order to compete. I've come to skiing later in life & have watched adult instructors in groups become obsessed with minuscule technical skiing details standing on the side of runs, as I ski past them over & over - I sometimes just laugh. Marcel's wiki page is insane - but the instructors would hate his skiing - awesome!

[@ReillyMcGlashan]

He's a super athlete for sure as well.

[@stevebag3720]

Can I just add that most ski instructors are not in any sense great or even good skiers, in my opinion that is.

[@youtube-nutzer2895]

@@stevebag3720 glad i live in austria, all ski instructors i know are insane skiers. even the "young" ones are really good one of which is a friend of mine, (hes 21). another good friend is a snowboard instructor (22), and hes really really good aswell. sad to hear youve had bad experience with instructors.

[@jamesdunn9714]

@@stevebag3720 It depends. Many are very, very good indeed.

[@gairnmclennan5876]

Thanks Reilly for the awesome video. Your skiing on your other videos is really impressive, the flow and power is fantastic.

[@ReillyMcGlashan]

Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed them

[@fredskitraining]

Very interesting! Your explanation show how is a objective approche. Function versus Form . 👍🏼

[@danielrossi5971]

This is a super cool video! I love the lighter side of it. As much as I love the world cup analysis (please keep doing them!), sometimes it is fun to just watch and enjoy.

[@edwardjosephbrennan]

Tried applying this technique today, on opening day at sugarbush...it works! when you can get it right...on SL Skis that are tuned to the hilt.

[@williamspostoronnim9845]

One cannot but be surprised, on the one hand, and one cannot be surprised, on the other, that the champion Hirscher, who apparently has no equal, and is not expected in the near future, can do anything. Including what is considered "errors". Perfectly owning the ice sports track, he can afford even more in free riding on "velveteen". For example, tie hands behind back, sit on the backs of the skis, lie with hips on the snow, ride upon the inside ski, stand on his own head, etc. etc. And everything will do for him! He is, in fact, a circus performer. In one word - a champion! Thanks for video! Нельзя не удивляться, с одной стороны, и нельзя удивляться, с другой, что чемпион Хиршер, равному которому, видимо, нет, и в ближайшем будущем не предвидится, может всё. В том числе и то, что считается «ошибками». Отлично владея ледяной спортивной трассой, он в свободном катании на «вельвете» может позволить себе ещё большее. Например, завязать руки за спиной, сесть на задники лыж, лечь бедром на снег, идти на внутренней лыже, встать на голову, и т.д. и т.п. И всё ему сойдёт! Он, по сути, циркач. Одним словом - чемпион! Спасибо за показ!

[@stevebag3720]

He skis like this on iced World Cup courses too!

[@rafaburdzy449]

Yes, NUMBER ONE IN SKIING JUST HAVE FUN !! IF YOU DON'T HAVE FUN WHAT IS A POINT OF SKIING !! : )

[@ReillyMcGlashan]

I wonder with some people 😂

[@freddmann]

@@ReillyMcGlashan so true.

[@kevwong63]

Well said. I imagine instructors teach based on what will give the student the highest probability of progress in the shortest time for their particular ability.

[@minolumix07123]

It`s always a pleasure to watch your content! Thank you

[@ReillyMcGlashan]

Thank you! Glad you enjoy it!

[@northernguy8860]

One of the tell-tale signs of a great skier is the ability to see their ski bases (during turn initiation) when you're standing uphill of them. It takes early and full commitment to the new edge, launching your skis laterally and your body mass down the fall line, trusting those skis will engage and hold.

[@jamesdunn9714]

Cross over.

[@jeetgorasia6634]

@@jamesdunn9714 Cross under

[@Dewdman42]

regarding the ski "tips" coming off the snow (more then the tails), this is not an error, its indicative that he is engaging certain muscles, including dorsiflexion and foot pullback, which contribute to maintaining balance as he proceeds past transition into the belly of the turn. I agree though, its a common mis-diagnosis to label that observation as skier error.

[@dj_617]

I make all these mistakes. That does not make me Hirscher unfortunately. Thanks Reilly, this skiing was fun to watch and so was your video.

[@ReillyMcGlashan]

Maybe you are Hirscher!

[@dj_617]

Only insofar that we both have Dutch blood.

[@danielrossi5971]

This is a super cool video! I love the lighter side of it. As much as I love the world cup analysis (please keep doing them!), somethimes it is fun to just watch and enjoy.

[@ReillyMcGlashan]

thanks daniel

[@Chopin4321]

yes.. way to go.. so free.. authentic.. this is music.. he is dancing.. so free.. so joyful.. all ski instructors should imitate and teach this.. technique limits people.. spirit brings technique.. without spirit technique is artificial.. goes against you.. just like playing the piano... love this video.. liberates... thanks

[@doctornrsfnly]

Whoa! What a great video! Any theories as to how Hirscher was able to keep his very unique (and very FAST!) style intact in the context of a notoriously regimented Austrian national ski team??? Great endorsement for findinga style that fits your body, equipment and skill level... thanks for the super video!

[@ReillyMcGlashan]

I think the saying goes "if it ain't broke don't fix it" 😂... He is an innovator in line choice on this new equipment... The fast people realise and accept the movements, the right people will be able to incorporate some of this into their skiing. Albeit the "right" person.

[@doctornrsfnly]

@@ReillyMcGlashan fair enough :-) I guess that the man's results do all his talking for him! Thanks for the great videos!

[@stevebag3720]

The clock!!! Many skiers look great but you need to be fearless and fast.

[@andymuirhead8092]

Really enjoyed this video.....Marcel rips down that slope .... so good and great analysis Reilly.

[@ReillyMcGlashan]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@beno8983]

I think they key thing is the relaxation, his body moves naturally with the skis and gradient because he is so relaxed. If you sit back like a stick that don’t mean you are the next Marcel. I guess the key is instructors give what’s needed to learn, a bit like driving, once you have learnt and a long as you ski enough it’s about unlearning what actually stops natural movement.

[@CC-mc4em]

Incredible skiing by a world class athlete, amazing quad strength, balance and technique. Pretty sure I would be on my backside!

[@ReillyMcGlashan]

he is the GOAT!

[@realskier]

Great skiing flow (coordination) and superior balance (fore-aft, lateral, edge) can help compensate or even overcome technical shortcomings. It really depends on your set objective for the run. A multi-talented World Cup champion such as Hirscher MUST be adaptable in order to have had such dominant success in the sport.

[@rickschnellmann9331]

The pivot he's doing allows the aft transition and launch from the snow to work. With the pivot, fore pressure is achieved at initiation, because the pivot changes fore/aft relationship of the CM to the feet. Without a pivot, fore pressure comes post initiation.

[@cantstoptommy7077]

Reilly, time for a vid of you skiing like this! would love to see you skiing on the edge like Marcel was there. (as in he was hucking it and was close to losing it a few times!)

[@SnowCampsEurope]

This is one of your best vids fella. Nice job.

[@ReillyMcGlashan]

thanks mate

[@FreeFloFloss]

Busted!!!😁 I always teach openly!! These are high end pro turns!!

[@ReillyMcGlashan]

Yes they are!

[@spritenews5358]

What Marcel Hirscher can get away with physically far exceeds what even excellent recreational skiers can. Even for very good recreational skiers, the advice to stay stacked and out of the back seat is excellent advice. I’m a very experienced skier but not particularly strong in my lower body. Some of my ski buddies are exceptional athletes, incredible skiers in all conditions, and very strong in the lower body. All of them will tell you getting in the back seat is the quickest way to fry your quads and your ski day earlier than you want.

[@vicinvesta8349]

I have a feeling that before you could copy Marcel's technique you have to master proper skiing first. Marcel has iron quads. He can backseat all day long. A novice skier will just get tired after a couple of turns and start piling up mistakes until balance is upset leading to a stop or a fall

[@igy6468]

,Yess and yess it's all about having FUUNN... 👌🙌💪💪💪

[@ReillyMcGlashan]

Yes that is what is is all about... 😊

[@miltiadischeimonidis]

@@ReillyMcGlashan We Like you even more when you 're funny!!! Keep us funny and informed...

[@jason1232003]

Love it! If it feels right...just do it!!!

[@FDIMoot]

OK, not taking too seriously, but this is racing technique (sitting on tails for acceleration, high-speed, centifugal forces allowing even requiring leaning in, etc) on a groomed & grippy slope, as opposed to efficient sking for bumps, steeps, powder, ice ... :-)

[@cswalker21]

Hand drags are cool if you are in balance. I think the reason most coaches excoriate their athletes for doing them is that they try to take a shortcut and lean in to achieve a hand drag, and put too much weight on the inside ski.

[@gatticusfpv3174]

Ah yes I fought very hard with my coaches about pretty much all these points. Like don't sit there and tell me to have a straight femur when you know damn well there's a ton of extension and contraction of the legs in proper ski racing. WHEN the femur is vertical is far more important. The only point I'd add is that airing out the tips can in the right snow conditions lead you to having a very NOT fun time. There were a few training days I had where the entire team just could not figure out the snow conditions. It was like skiing on little frozen ball bearings even on our fully prepped slalom course. You couldn't build early edge pressure without everything slipping away. But if you made sure you had really strong consistent cuff pressure through the transition you'd be fine. Letting the tips rise up was enough to disturb the forward pressure enough to cause slideage. So the trick was simply doing the compact "Marcel" transition like normal but while adding just a bit more dorsiflexion and arching of the back to keep the tips firmly on the ground through the transition.

[@zbqb84a]

Such an excellent video and great analysis.

[@ReillyMcGlashan]

Glad you liked it!

[@profpat70]

Brilliant!

[@huseinmahmutovic7822]

This is Marcel, he is flying rocket

[@wailwailwail412]

A ski trainer a I had told me once: "race training fu#ks up your skiing". Seeing this video reminded me that quote. Technical skiing and competitive skiing seek two different goals. In a race, the fastest time wins. Of course there are fundamentals behind. But that's the ultimate goal of ski racing. I don't agree with that quote, but I understand it now.

[@jagers4xford471]

Yes, that's how Marcel Hirscher skis... And I ski like I ski and Ted skis like he skis. I agree, we all ski differently. I don't recommend people try to duplicate their hero's technique, but, a little technical thievery can go along way. In Dynamic Steering we encourage whole body participation. Park n riders need not apply. I liked your video, thanks...

[@TheRockerxx69]

He can do all of it !!!! He can.

[@rommeltoes]

Awesome video, Reilly! Totally agree. But to keep it real-- Marcel can make any mistake look good! Great skiers make technique work for them. Average skiers are slaves to technique...

[@ReillyMcGlashan]

He does make his "mistakes" look great!

[@markfoster2530]

Enjoyed your this video it’s a great break down of the body in motion. Fun to watch such a dynamic skier!!!! If I were to help improve the average skier these are definitely tell tail sighs to look for of an off balanced skier. Mind you we are watching a “superhero” athlete top in his field,on cutting edge equipment, on perfectly groomed snow., on what appears to be blue terrain. I guess what im trying to say is it’s not reality. I ski in the northeast of New England and we get ICE, hard pack, polished porcelain and it’s critical to be on the whole ski with the body properly balanced. With that said there is nothing like taking a deep side cut slalom ski that has a fresh tune and ripping it out in the early morning on fresh corduroy. Popping from turn to turn.

[@Matt-cc1jv]

By pushing myself to ski faster and to turn quicker, my completely unskischooled body learned a ski technique that worked in nearly all snow conditions (this was back in the 60's and 70's). That technique is a whole lot like what Marcel is doing in this video. You are correct though, the one condition it doesn't work in is on polished, porcelain like, glare ice. There you need to be centered over the skis because you never know when even your sharp edges won't hold a carved turn and suddenly let go into a sideways skid (or into a spin-out if you are too far forward, or too far back). I love my slalom racing skis for their excellent edge grip on most ice, and for their great carving ability (I managed two carve two circles on frozen spring slush with one momentum on them (twice in three tries). On the first try my cell phone started ringing and in trying to answer it, I stalled out at the top of the second circle). This was at an early freestyle skiers reunion at Park City in 2014, at the age of 68. Those racing skis are way too springy to use at high speed through moguls though, because that springy rebound throws you much higher up into the air, after being bent way down into a trough in the moguls (rebounding upwards results in much harder and a much less accurately placed landing). What you want in moguls is to stay as low a possible, your butt just missing the mogul top and your head sometimes almost between your knees. That keeps your skis on the snow as much as possible for better control. Slalom ski rebound is great on a rutted slalom course because the rebound then springs you back and forth, from rut to rut, and through the gates much quicker. With far less springy skis, this sitting back technique also works best in moguls, as well. Your skis and feet fend off the bumps ahead and it is much easier to recover from being too far back than it is from being too far forward. Sitting back in powder lets your skis ramp up in it and then porpoise up out and dive back in to the powder with each turn. Carving turns is easy when sitting back because with more pressure on the ski tails they resist skidding sideways.

[@karlo407]

Would love to see an instructional video on what needs to be done to successfully perform those turns, inclined, on the inside ski, hand back ;)

[@denis-uo6ew]

Très belle vidéo et super analyse

[@davidgdgdg]

How wonderfully refreshing 👍🙏🏻

[@OscarVøggPreisler]

Love your stuff man, as a first year FIS racer its interesting to see all these different techniques and how going fast in ski racing does not always mean the best technique.

[@ReillyMcGlashan]

Glad you enjoyed! and good luck with your first year FIS. 😊

[@florianredecsy4997]

01:19 green Jacket is what’s been told. For me that was always out of balance. Way to far forward. My background is icehockey and obviously a lot of inline skating in summer. If going downhill on skates and do green type you would land on your face every time. If you watch quick turns in hockey they are like Marcel Hirscher. In speed skating you try to have your belly button more or less over the middle of the feet not like the green way over the toes.

[@section8ski]

Nice... rules are meant to be broken!

[@AccordionJoe1]

What passes for skiing these days is coming down the mountain out of control, skis wide apart, arms flailing, slam banging from one mogul to the next. I am 80 and have emulated the grace and beauty of the late Stein Ericksen since I was fresh out of college. People continually come up to me and say they wish they could ski like I do -- feet close together, poles out to the side, reverse shoulder movement, and one smooth turn after another. ps -- I ski on 200 cm narrow skis, not a pair of 165 cm boards that are as wide as water skis.

[@ianholmquist8492]

Wow that's a lot of big talk. I thought skiing was about having fun. It is after all the most elegant form of travel ever devised by man. Why the need to bash other people if you are so godlike and good?

[@ArcFixer]

Hi, Joseph. Old Park City local here. Kudos for still getting out there and getting after it. I knew Stein. I shanked a lot of golf balls into his back yard when he lived on the golf course back in the 80s. I worked in his ski shop at Deer Valley off and on during the last twelve years. He was as Gracious to me and everyone else as he was Graceful on skis. Trashing other skiers is not Stein's Way. That's as far off track as you can get. Attaching yourself to Stein's reputation then trashing other skiers contrary to everything he believed in is a disgrace. I suggest you put more effort into emulating Stein's Gracious Spirit and less emphasis on your ability to mimic his technique. I never wanted to ski like Stein. But I've always tried to ski with his amazing Grace and his Gracious Spirit. That's taken my skiing further than I ever thought it would go. Be content with your own skiing and the compliments that come with it. Sounds like you're still skiing pretty good and having fun. That’s good enough for the girls I go with. :) .

[@ANBTMPS2]

you sound obsessed with this new compact transition thing lmao keep up the good work

[@Landwy1]

Over the years I've tended to use longer skis than other skiers. To get a shorter radius turn I've had to really pressure the skis into a rebound that hopefully had that energy throwing my body mass down the hill rather than upward. I've always been a dynamic skier. Well I'm now at that age where I don't have as much flexibility nor strength. I've gone to women's length skis (i.e. 188cm GS versus 193cm for men). There is an old saying in ski racing that strength equals speed. This means being able to pressure (bend) the skis which is camber that can be used to accelerate by directing a forward rebound. Unfortunately, I don't have as much leg strength nor flexibility to drop my hip to near the snow level as I once had. Alice Robinson squats a bunch of 150 kg reps every day. She just destroys GS events with her power.. Fortunately for Shiffrin, and Vlhova, she (Robinson) doesn't have a technical mastery as they have.

[@ostojamartrix]

Great CH... Make a video about Goat, Janica.

[@i3bufitt]

Great video. I am thinking that his inclination (as opposed to angulation) at the apex and his going on the inside ski (also at the apex) is probably due to the fact that he is trained to go out as far as possible (in particular with the inside ski) to pass the gates. This might not be the ideal way of skiing for a non-racer. In this sense there is not necessarily a contradiction with the common wisdom that it is (in general) not a good idea to go on the inside ski.

[@k9aussie898]

Cool video 😎

[@ReillyMcGlashan]

thanks :) happy you liked it

[@magnificoas388]

Nice free skiing of H ! Lots of angle and rebound here. Skis in the air (your point 3) is not a mistake since it is just a wanted result. The mistake would be if H didnt control. But he does control these rebounds by retracting in transition, that is why his hips are not over feet (your point 1). Btw "hips over feet in transition" is not a rule at all, the rule is "staying low, hips forward as possible" (meaning if you have rebound you have to control it by retracting and at the same time not going back seat too much).

[@ReillyMcGlashan]

none of these are my rules... but you hear them from various organisations around the world as things to never do... I don't follow the rules... Rules should only ever be created based on the desired result... Peoples desired results are all personal so this means their rules to accomplish their result will vary. Some people want to just ski green runs and be parallel and carving big angles is not their goal, so standing up and being in a more vertical position with hips over their feet will be useful for them (where that "rule" might be valid). I am not a rule guy.

[@magnificoas388]

@@ReillyMcGlashan ahah you should be :) The main thing is to understand the principles beyond the rules...and actually the principle here is not "standing up" but "going forward".

[@peteyndebs]

Thank goodness for you Reilly being prepared to put it out there. Spot on analysis.

[@davidballou8693]

these comments are coming fast and furious. Nice Job, Reilly. I think those turns are probably not going to work for everyone, certainly not like Marcel's, but we can still use the rebound and coming somewhat off the back of the ski as we finish the turn and move forward into the next turn. Racer do this to gain speed.

[@kuladeeluxe]

Cool Reilly. Hope you get more footage of Hersher having fun

[@jakobwerle9374]

Many things you pointed out are not happening for reasons that you described. I would love to have a deeper conversation about this.

[@olivierrenassia1104]

As you say all depends on the skier ... heavy doubt about lambda skier having skills to recover from any of the turns MH is doing there ... your analysis is great ... as usual, however im not sure you mentioned the different phases of the turn the « mistake » was made ... Which to me defines if it’s a mistake or not ...thanks anyway 💪🤙

[@bojanninkovic707]

Kudos for this video 👍

[@ReillyMcGlashan]

Thank you! 👍

[@richardelder256]

I spent a couple of days at a master's race camp being coached by a guy who had skied with Bode Miller when he was a young teenager. His comment: "That kid has never started a turn with his pressure on the ski tips in his life!" The first time I saw Bode race at a Nor Am he was skiing on K2 recreational shaped skis ---- completely different from anybody else's equipment.

[@blaisebrochard199]

Do you have a similar video on very hard snow?

[@expatinasia]

I loved this. I would love to see Hirscher put on a fake beard and set up a few hidden cameras and take a group lesson at one of the more well known resorts and simply like this to see how the teachers would correct him.

[@ReillyMcGlashan]

This would be absolutely hilarious!

[@jeetgorasia6634]

Hahaha. Brilliant :)

[@alfredreisenberger2298]

Thx for pointing this out. Really interesting. Seems Mark has done too much racing.😂

[@kmdsummon]

Just try to carve on large speed and check where is your body when you really carve, and you will see that if you will follow traditional advises, like lean you weight forward, you won’t be able to carve, your skies will slip. That is because for your skies to carve you have to push your weight in the middle of the ski to make it work on full edge. And after that you need to transition skies to another part without moving your center of mass upwards too much, so the only way to do that is to lean back and pull skies up during transitions. So that what we see on that video.

[@shooter7a]

Hischer's boot set up and forward lean should really be mentioned. He runs 19-21 degrees of forward lean! This is 4-5 degrees over the stock setting of a normal RACE boot! He also measures for a 27.5 boot...but uses a stretched out 25.5! It is also stiffer than the stiffest plug boot you could get...and he stiffened it up MORE. The boot set up, TIGHT fit, and stiffness has a lot to do with his ability to reset position in transition. He probably could not ski like this at all in a boot like yours or mine.... Massive stiffness and crazy angles combined with elite athleticism.

[@riccapatrol]

FANTASTIC VIDEO 👏👏👏👏

[@ReillyMcGlashan]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@riccapatrol]

@@ReillyMcGlashan Absolutely just used this video in my ski coaching this morning lol

[@valera.bukovel]

Good video!

[@erikwoodward1268]

Where do I acquire that hat? Oh yea, those are some bad ass turns!

[@davidbeazer9799]

“Back seat” looks like the only way to have this super flexed super amazing transition. He transitions from a more commonly accepted position through the back seat to a more commonly accepted position. He’s the best at this and it took a ton of practice. No technique is necessarily wrong, it depends on what you’re trying to do! If you’re standing up in transition your legs have nowhere to go without relying too much on inclining.

[@fredhughes4115]

I think it's important to note that while Hirscher is in the "back seat" the skis are not loaded (ie. under pressure). By the time the skis load up he is standing back in the middle.

[@davidbeazer9799]

@@fredhughes4115 Excellent Point!

[@gairnmclennan5876]

Yes Fred I'm with you. The knees bend to lift the ski's off the snow, so his weight is slammed down as he gets deep into the next turn. He is getting enough rebound from the ski's to jump across to the next turn.

[@JoshuaDuncanSmith]

He’s a baaaaaaaad maannn!!

[@ReillyMcGlashan]

he's the beeeesssst mann!😅