Learning how to ski jump is a complex process that involves mastering foundational techniques, developing aerial skills, and practicing on progressively larger jumps. A key element in this learning process is understanding how to control your body during takeoff and landing.
Building a strong foundation in skiing is essential before attempting ski jumping. This includes learning how to balance, turn, stop, and handle speed. Once comfortable on skis, specific techniques related to jumping and landing are introduced.
The Fundamental Jump and Landing Technique
One crucial technique you learn involves controlling your movement during a jump, whether it's a small hop or part of a larger jump. This technique, relevant for maintaining stability upon landing, involves:
- Maintain Balance: Keep your body weight centered directly over the middle of your skis. This alignment is critical for stability both before and after the jump.
- Initiate the Jump: Jump up with as much power as you can. Use your legs to push off the ground or slope.
- Extension: As you jump, straighten your legs and back. This extension helps generate height and control during the airborne phase, however brief.
- Absorb the Landing: As your skis return to the ground, allow your legs to bend again. This bending action acts as a shock absorber, helping you absorb the impact and maintain control upon landing.
- Expect Instability: Especially when first practicing this technique, you might find you are very unstable and unbalanced when you land. Practicing this motion repeatedly helps build strength and control.
This basic jumping and landing skill is fundamental. It helps skiers understand how to use their body to interact with the skis and the snow, a skill vital for the more dynamic takeoffs and landings required in competitive ski jumping.
Progressive Training
Learning ski jumping typically involves working with qualified coaches and starting on very small slopes or artificial jumps. Athletes gradually progress to larger hills as their technique, strength, and confidence improve. Training often includes:
- Dryland training focusing on strength, power, and balance.
- Practice jumps on training hills with varying sizes.
- Technique analysis using video feedback.
- Developing the specific ski jumping stance and flight position.
By mastering fundamental skills like the basic jump and landing technique described, skiers build the necessary foundation for the advanced maneuvers required in ski jumping.
