Lots more on Smooth Classic Striding -- XC ski Roberts

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I see two very different conceptual-perceptual models about how to use leg-power in classic striding:

(a) "stomp and glide"

(b) "smooth committed push"

And now I've lived through both of them -- more details below . . .

This model says conceptually:

Getting good grip is difficult -- I know based on my many experiences of slipping.
I need to apply a strong down-force to "set" the wax into the snow and get reliable grip that won't slip.
A force this strong can only be maintained for a short instant -- it must be "explosive". I can get it by stomping down on the ski.
Since the forward leg-push is only effective while the ski has the grip, I must apply all the forward leg push through a short instant of time.
If I apply a "normal" level of leg-push force for only a short instant in time, likely I'm not going to go very fast.
If I want to go faster, I need to apply a very strong leg-push force through that short instant of grip. So my forward leg-force must be explosive, like the down-force.
I need really good grip to hold that strong explosive forward force without slipping.
Since the instant of grip is short, I must expect to spend a substantial percentage of my stroke-cycle time gliding in between leg-pushes.

This model says perceptually:

The key feeling of a sound classic stride is long glide in between leg-pushes. That's the proof that my grip was solid and my forward leg-push was strong and explosive. And for me, long glide just feels good.

If I feel myself slipping, I stomp harder. Or even hop up with my upper body and then do the forward-push during the instant I land.
My measure of power is the feeling of explosiveness. And for me, there's no doubt that an explosive hop and "kick" feels powerful and dramatic.
When I feel tired and sore after doing this "stomp and glide" for a while, it makes sense.

This model works as a self-reinforcing package:

The explosive down-force requires explosive forward-force, otherwise I don't get the reward of the long glide.
The explosive forward-force requires explosive down-force, otherwise I slip -- and that experience again confirms that getting good grip is difficult.
When I do this "stomp and glide" right, it delivers good feelings of fun gliding and strong muscle-power.

This model says conceptually:

Getting good grip is straightforward, provided I have skis that fit, put enough of the right wax on, and learn some basic techniques for making it happen.
The foundation of good grip is committing all my weight to the ski I'm currently pushing on. Instead of applying muscle-power to get the down-force, I use my body weight for most of it (and hold the muscle-power tricks in reserve for when I really need them).
There's no need for a special move to "set" the wax in normal groomed set tracks at a ski center -- I normally find that the instant my ski stops on the firm snow, it's already gripping. A special "set" move is needed only sometimes, like for soft or ungroomed snow.
Now that I've learn solid balance on one ski, I can hold my body weight over the grip zone for a longer period of time.
So I can go reasonably fast by applying only a moderate, "normal" force over that longer time period of grip.
Since I do not need to apply a strong explosive forward leg-push, I do not need as strong a grip to prevent slipping -- so I don't need that explosive down-force.
A key principle of the "smooth committed push" model is that the more I smooth the push over a longer time, the smaller the peak force -- so the less grip I need.
Since the leg-push time has been extended, there's not as much time left over for just gliding.
Another way to smooth out the force even more is to make my pole-push during the glide, instead of simultaneous with the leg-push.

This model says perceptually:

The key feeling of sound classic stride is "smooth and relaxed". And the elimination of every point of explosiveness.
The prerequisite feeling of sound classic stride is full commitment of body weight to the ski I am pushing on during the full duration of the leg-push -- and that in turn requires the feeling of solid confident balance on one ski.
When I feel myself slipping, I first suspect that I got careless and missed my full weight transfer and commitment. (Only after that do I check the other straightforward anti-slip tricks of some other "secrets".)
The key feeling of power is to always be able to feel some muscle that is currently pushing me forward -- at every point in my stroke cycle. (no "dead spot")
I like the feeling of quietness and stability: No sudden forces, no starts and stops, no wasted motion.

This model works as a self-reinforcing package:

When the forces are smoother and smaller, the impact of a little slip is less, so it doesn't jar my confidence in my ability to get grip and stay in balance.
Instead of always requiring maximum grip to support all the forward-force I want to deliver, I've learned the alternative strategy of first perceiving how much grip I actually have, and (temporarily) adjusting my leg-push forces and movements to stay within that perceived grip limit -- sometimes called "feathering".
So I feel myself learning to keep moving forward with less grip -- and keep on getting some push, without stomps and hops. I might not always feel sure that I'm moving as fast as with the explosive stuff, but at least I can definitely feel that I'm not getting "defeated" without the explosive stuff.
I feel the mastery of choice: I know I could make an explosive stomp or hop, but I am not forced to, because I feel confident in my other alternatives.
When I'm doing it right, it feels smooth and controlled.

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