Return to the Special Olympics Homepage
Coaches
Meet Our Coaches
Coaching Guides
Competition Guides
Athletes As Coaches
Training Opportunities
Online Training
Code of Conduct
Sports
Sports Offered
Divisioning
Rules
About Us Press Room Initiatives Find a Location Contact Us Site Map Donate to Special Olympics
Keyword Search and Help
Special Olympics offers training and competition opportunities in 30 Olympic-type sports for athletes 8 years or older.  For children with intellectual disabilities ages 2 through 7, Special Olympics provides a Young Athletes Program. Special Olympics coaches have a unique opportunity to work with athletes in competitive situations to assist in their training for life. As a grass-roots organization, Special Olympics relies on volunteers at all levels of the movement to ensure that every athlete is offered a quality sports training and competition experience. Individual donors, corporate partners and many others make it possible for Special Olympics to offer children and adults with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy through participation in the program.
Coaching Guides

  Print this page

Wedge turn to a stop or Flat ski turn to a stop

Athlete develops fundamental skills (balance, rotation, edge and pressure) necessary to change direction out of the fall line while on the easiest, most gentle terrain. Athlete learns to control speed by utilizing turn shape.
 
 
 
Wedge Turn to a Stop  
 
 
Wedge Turn to a Stop2  
 
 
Wedge Turn to a Stop3  
 
 
Flat Ski turn to a Stop  

Teaching Points — Wedge turn to a stop
  1. Starting in a shallow traverse, in a wedge position, the athlete will turn up the hill to a stop.
  2. Starting in a shallow traverse in the other direction, in a wedge position, the athlete will turn up the hill to a stop.
  3. With success, the athlete will repeat this maneuver while gradually starting closer to the fall line each time.
  4. Starting in the fall line, with skis in a wedge, the athlete will steer the skis while moving until he/she is across the hill, out of the fall line, in one direction.
  5. Starting in the fall line, facing the other direction, with skis in a wedge, the athlete will steer the skis while moving until he/she is across the hill, out of the fall line, in that direction.

Teaching Points — Flat ski turn to a stop
  1. Starting in a shallow traverse, with skis parallel, the athlete will turn up the hill to a stop.
  2. Starting in a shallow traverse in the other direction, with skis parallel, the athlete will turn up the hill to a stop.
  3. With success, the athlete will repeat this maneuver while gradually starting closer to the fall line each time.
  4. Starting in the fall line, the athlete will direct the skis across the hill while moving out of the fall line, in one direction.
  5. Starting in the fall line, facing the other direction, the athlete will direct the skis across the hill while moving out of the fall line, in that direction.
 
 
 
Error Correction Drill/Test Reference
Athlete turns too far into the turn and slides backward.
Use cue words to instruct the athlete when to stop the turn.
Use a ski pole for the athlete to ski around.
Athlete gets out of a wedge position.
Use cue words or visual aids to instruct the athlete.
Pizza slice
Athlete cannot stop.
Review straight run procedure and re-introduce wedge to a stop.

Move athlete down to a gentler slope.
 
Athlete continuously falls over.
Check for balanced, centered stance.

Make sure the athlete's feet are at least hip width apart.

Ski with a basketball-size ball between the knees.
Athlete can turn in one direction only.
Start the turn on the weaker side using a shallower traverse.
 
 
  Prev Page Next Page

Back to Top
Special Olympics
1133 19th Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20036 USA
+1 (202) 628-3630
Fax: +1 (202) 824-0200