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what
is it
The idea is to add a leg-push to the double-pole push.
First push with one leg back against one ski (the
"kick"), and at
exactly the same time bring both arms up and forward to get ready to do
a double-pole push.
Second, start gliding on both skis.
Third, do a double-pole push, and
keep gliding on both skis.
Then start the next kick-double-pole by
pushing again with the leg (the other leg or the same one -- it's not important
which). For lots more details, see
phases of the stroke-cycle. what for
Often used for flat terrain or gentle uphills.
A fun and useful motion that more skiers should try out, and find
opportunities to use more often.
Advantages:
(a) Better glide than classic
stride because the skier's weight is spread between the two
skis;
(b) Better grip than classic
stride (when classic stride technique is done without extra up-and-down motion), because the
upward recovery of the arms during the leg-push "kick" causes an opposite
reaction down-force on the ski;
(c) Makes good use of the abdominal muscles;
(d) Better use of leg muscles than pure double
pole.
(e) Easier to learn than classic
stride.
Disadvantages:
(a) Recovering up to the start position takes a lot of time and
effort, so when going up hills you lose too much momentum in between
pushes.
(b) Very high speeds: The ski must match speed with the snow surface before the leg can push off it --
which forces the leg-push to be very short and quick at higher speeds
(that's when it feels like a "kick"). If you try to
compensate by raising the force intensity, you often exceed your ski's
grip friction, so it slips.
(a) the key thing lots of people miss is the kick.
Because they do not get the grip they need for a real
leg-push. If you don't have grip, then all you get is a snappy Double
Pole with a longer reach.
Every trick under the Balance and
Weight Commitment "secret" applies to Kick Double
Pole. And don't forget the Exploiting
the Wax Pocket "secret".
Key points are:
- Transfer all weight to the kick leg just before you push with
it.
- Press the toe as you initiate the kick.
(b) Make the kick at the same time as the upward motion of your
recovering arms.
Perhaps even sharpen that upward arm-recovery motion, so there is
additional reactive down-force on the grip zone.
(c) Spread your weight across both skis for best
glide. Focus all weight on one ski for best grip.
(d) Many (but not all) of the
hints for pure
Double-Poling motion apply to the
pole-push.
(e) see more on the Learning
program page.
advanced
To get a longer effective leg-push: Just before the leg-push,
advance the leg-push ski forward, about a boot-length ahead of the
other ski.
If you push several times in a row with the same
leg, you can use the natural momentum from recovering the leg forward
to advance it in front. On the other hand, alternating legs
allows more rest time between for each leg between its successive
strokes. One compromise approach is to switch legs after every
five pushes.
Many (but not all) of the
hints for racers
for pure Double-Poling motion
apply to the pole-push.
usage zone
When the hill is too steep and it takes too much arm strength to
keep up momentum, switch to classic
stride.
When you're going so fast that you don't want to wait for your
ski to slow down enough so you can get an effective leg push, switch
to pure double pole.
see also
more Motion techniques
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