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One Foot In — Direction Changes (To be done on a gentle slope) At this point, have the athlete skate or climb uphill to the starting point used earlier. The process for beginning a glide with a direction change is the same as the straight glide. As the athlete is gliding, he or she will sink into the position for a heelside turn and hold it until the board has changed direction, finishing by gliding to a stop. This process should be repeated until the direction change can be made with good control and balance. As the athlete becomes more comfortable, he or she can move to the heelside turn position until the board changes direction, and then return to the neutral position (the board should straighten out in the downhill direction).   The process is then repeated for the toeside direction change. Begin by introducing the single direction change and then advance to having the athlete return to a neutral position.   The final step is to have the athlete make a toeside direction change, followed by a return to the neutral position, and then into a heelside direction change.         Teaching Points Start by securing the board so that it does not move before the athlete is ready. Have the athlete begin in the correct snowboard stance. Keep knees flexed and stay in a relaxed position. Athlete begins with a straight glide. While the snowboard is moving, athlete begins to put pressure on toes. As the athlete puts pressure on the toes, the snowboard should make a gradual direction change. Once the athlete is comfortable making a toeside direction change, repeat for the heelside direction change: Have the athlete put pressure on the heels while lifting the toes.     Faults & Fixes     Error Correction Drill Reference Athlete loses balance Keep knees flexed, bending at the knees and not at the waist Eyes forward Gas Pedal Drill Athlete catches the downhill edge of the snowboard in the snow Keep knees flexed, weight centered Athlete should keep pressure on one edge Eyes forward   Athlete falls into the turn Keep knees flexed, bending at the knees and not at the waist Athlete should use gentle pressure, keeping the pressure on one edge

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