Coaching for Kids Through Games

Deb WaltherMaine Adaptive Sports and RecreationNovember 6, 2013

Use Games to…

“Trick” kids into learning how to skiReinforce what was taught

Repetition is important but it gets boringJust to have fun!

Basics…

Basic Strategy for Kids

Use their imaginationEngage them by making their bodies or the equipment into something they can relate to

Use the mountainEngage curiosityFeatures: stopping, starting, point towardsFun: Snowball fights, snow angels

Keep them movingKids don’t want to hear us talk…

Basic Strategy for Kids

Keep it safeKids are easily distracted during gamesSet up boundaries

Let them be in chargeWhere the hands and eyes go, the feet follow

Use games/tricks to get the first turnsDon’t emphasize the turn until it happens

Teach the Way Kids Learn

Ages 3-5Pay attention to EVERYTHING!!!Wear emotions on their sleeves

If angry, then they are totally angryMoods change on a whim

Play learning and imagination work bestMay not understand competitionHigher center of gravityMovements are large

Teach the Way Kids Learn

Ages 6-12Socializing through schoolCan listen to and follow directionsKeeping it fun = keeping their attentionCompetitionGrowth spurts during season can result in changes in skiing ability

Teach the Way Kids Learn

TeenagersSocial is everything!

SensitiveBe yourself

Rapid growth spurts cause balance and coordination issues

Revisit fundamentalsCompetition, challenges Introduce adult movements

CAP Model

CognitiveAbility to process information

AffectiveSocial/emotional development

PhysicalExplains how children moveBody shape, physical ability, ageRate of development varies

Fear

Physical limitations

Learning style

Visual

Auditory

Kinesthetic

Thinker

Feeler

Doer

Analyzer

Confidence Success

AnxietyWeather distractionsMom

Dad

Sister Brother

Tired

Culture

Athletic ability

Age

Motivation

Pleasing others

Interest in play

Social

Readiness

EquipmentDisabilities

Hungry

Can-Do Attitude

Self-doubt

Cognitive development

Physical development

Maturity

Physical Condition

CAP

The Lesson

Core ConceptsBalance, Edging, Pressure & Rotation

Teach a conceptTalk about it (Auditory)Show it (Visual)Do it (Kinesthetic)

Practice itUse games to teach and practiceWith imagination, anything can become a game

Points to Consider

Consider your speed vs. the child’sUse smaller skisSkid more on your turnsConsider turn shape

Kids make smaller turnsLook for them “shortcutting” the turn

Use a visual concept for left and rightLion= leftRhino= right

Pizzas and French Fries

Games

Games…

Games for…

Getting Used to My Boots

Boots

Getting used to ski boots seems so boringWe need to give time to let kids acclimate to bootsBig movements on skis can be made smaller in bootsDon’t be afraid to take the skis off to teach a movement in boots

Makes the movement less scaryLearn to get up

Boot Drill Games

AstronautWalk around in slow motion like you are an astronaut on the moon

HopscotchDraw a hopscotch course in the snowMovements: hopping, individual leg movements

Boot Movement Games

TagSet up boundaries (Frisbees, cones, paper plates)Explain the rulesTap a kid and say “Tag your it”Play for 2-3 minsTeaches kids movement in many directions

Use this learning for rotation

Boot Movement Games

Duck Duck GooseUse the normal rulesGets kids used to movement in the boots in one directionPlay sitting down or standing up

Chasing BubblesBlow bubbles and have the child chase themNOTE: Make sure you are in a protected area as the child’s focus will be on the bubbles, not on the other skiers in the area

Games For…

Getting on Skis

One and 2 Ski Games

Perform on flat terrainDon’t rush

These exercises gets the skier used to the sliding movement

Repeat 1 ski movements on both feet

One Ski Games

Have the child ski around a cone/Frisbee on inside edge

They will lift the ski to turnPromotes inside edge and early rotationAdvanced: have them do the drill without lifting their ski

Flat surface then slight incline

Obstacle course (flat surface)Set up cones/toysHave the child go around the cone to pick up a toy

One Ski GamesPretend the ski is a scooter

Hands out in front (helps balance)Use boot to propelHave them slide as far as they can go

Flat surface then slight inclineUse competitionThey will fall

Use this opportunity to teach them how to get up

Change feet and repeat

Two Ski games

Relay Race (performed on a flat surface)Have the child traverse to pick up a toy and bring it backAdvanced: race

Obstacle course (flat surface)Set up cones/toysHave the child go around the cone to pick up a toy

Can be done in boots, one ski or 2 skis

They will fall: use this opportunity to teach them how to get up

“Gorilla knuckles”

Balloon/Basketball Game

Use this game when the skier is having difficulty making the wedge shape

Ski a gliding wedge with a balloon between their legs

Imagine a basketball between the legs

Games for…

Walking up the Hill

Banana Gorilla

Use for teaching walking up the hillUphill leg is designated banana

Put a yellow ribbon or sticker on that legThe other leg is gorillaKeep the banana away for the gorilla and have the gorilla catch the banana

Penguin Walk

Have the child put their feet in the shape of a penguinHave the child walk up the hill like a penguin

Make noises (batman’s penguin works)Do in boots first, then skis

Games for…

First Turns

First Turns

Follow meSki backwards with your hands in the air or a toyHave the child follow you

Where the eyes go, the feet followBe energeticLet them catch you

A chance for hugs!

Movement Games

Big Pizza/Little PizzaRefer to the wedge as a pizza (makes it visual)

Small pizza’s go faster, Bigger pizza’s go slowerBiggest pizza stops

Works movement of legs: rotation of the anklesHands making pizza shape also helpsAdd a “hop to stop”

Have them hop to make the biggest pizza

Stopping Games

Red Light/Green LightRed Light to stop, green light to go

FreezeYell “Freeze” for the child to stop in place

J-Turns

First turns are J-turnsMake the letter “J”Skiing up the hill controls speed

Have the skier ski towards you and have them reach for your poleAs they approach you, rotate the pole behind you

The skier will turn trying to catch the poleWhere the eyes/hands go, the feet will follow

Squish a Bug

Terrain: Beginner to GreenObjective: Put pressure on the inside edge of the outside ski, making the wedge turn easier

Ask the child what kind of bug would they squish if they saw it

Provide a list: make the bugs disgusting & scaryHave them imagine a bug is under their big toeSquish the bug with all of their weight

Squish a Bug

Variation to get more edge: Tell them to show folks the bottom of their outside ski

Sometimes results in transferring weight to the other ski

This “game” works will all kinds of skiers

Games for…

Practicing Basic Movements

Simon Says

Use Simon Says to get the child to perform movements and to keep their head up

Left/right turns/StoppingGo slow/control speed: “make 3 turns”Hop (balance and overall movement)Lift one leg out (independent leg movement)Wiggle your behind or other non-skiing movements (balance)Be silly: use “Simon” and “non-Simon” calls to be outrageous

Clean the dishesPretend to brush my teeth

Balance (older kids)

Talk about sports they play and where their hands are (athletic stance)

Football stanceLacrosse HockeyTennisRiding a bicycleThrowing/hitting a baseball

Off skis, have the child stand tallPush their shoulder with one handThey may fall backwards

Balance

Have them assume the athletic stanceHands out frontFlex ankles

Make your boots squeakPush then with 2 hands, slightly harder

Make 3 turns standing straight up3 turns in the athletic stance3 turns with their hands all over the place

Gets them off balance, may fall3 turns with the athletic stance

Cat and Mouse

This games helps to initiate the turn with the inside ski

Introduction to wide parallel (French Fry) turnsShow the child the game on the ski liftOne ski is the cat, the other the mouseDon’t let the cat catch the mouse

Move the mouse firstNote: Child will ski with their head down to watch

Drive the Car

This game gets the hands out in front (balance), the turning of the steering wheel gets the feet to rotate, applying the brake provides pressure

Helps to keep their head up: don’t want to drive the car into the groundMany times leads to wide parallel turns

Use imagination to get the child into the game:What kind of car/truck do you want to drive? What color? Hard top or convertible?

Drive the Car

Use a Frisbee as the steering wheelWhere the hands go, the feet will follow: rotation will start to happen

Instead of squishing a bug, we are now applying the brakeHave them follow you

Drive the Car

Enhance the game:Make car/truck noises when brakingHonk the hornMake deliveries and pickupsPolice car: pull me over

Adds control of where to stopAdvanced: Set up a road course using cones

Adds control of speed and the need to turn on demand

Follow the Leader

This game can be used on many levels of skier ability and terrain

Great for balance, independent leg movement and other skills

Have the skier follow you, mimicking your movements

Stick left arm outSki on one skiHopWiggle behindWiggle whole bodyMake short/long turns

Hockey stopsHands in the airHands down lowAirplane wings

Follow the Leader

Once the child knows the “course” (stopping points), let them lead from one stopping point to another

Challenge and Imagination sets in: they will want to be more outrageous than you wereThey must decide where to turn: terrain management

Railroad Tracks

Ski Coach makes “railroad tracks” on the slopeChild follows the tracksConsiderations:

Your turns may force the child to go faster than comfortable

Observe if child is “shortcutting turns”

Use long and short turns

Catch Me if You Can

BeginnerCoach skis backwards waving hands or a toyChild skis towards the coach/toyLet the child catch you

Promotes “where the eyes/hands go the feet will follow”

AdvancedRule: Kids have to go where the coach goes, no shortcuttingSki large turns up hill, different directionsNOTE: Exhausting for the coach, but a great energy builder

Hi Fives

Use this game throughout the dayWorks to keep the child’s head upHave them “Hi Five” you as they go past youVariation: “High Five” followed by a “Low Five”

Side Slipping

Use the Banana-Gorilla game againThe banana is on the downhill ski

Skis are erasersUse your skis to “erase” the snowGets them to use the flat part of the ski

Skiing Backwards

Teaching a child to ski backwards promotes all four actions“Cool factor”Great for older kids with attention issues

Great for Hyperfocusing

Last Thoughts

Use breaks to have FUN!Throw snowSnow AngelsTagWax skis

Use you imaginationThink like a kid by becoming a kid

Don’t be afraid to be sillyThe more tricks you have in your bag, the easier it is to respond to the child’s ability

References

The Children’s Skiing Games Reference by Jeff Kennedy

Children’s Instruction Manual 2nd Ed. PSIA

Vail Resort’s Alpine & Snowboard Teaching Handbook by Carol Levine & Linda Guerrette

Perfect Turn Manual System 5th Ed. By Ed Joyce

Captain Zembo’s Skiing and Snowboard Teaching Guide 2nd Ed. By John Anderson PSIA

Core Concepts for Snowsports Instructors PSIA