Print this page

Passing The ability to safely and effectively overtake and pass another snowshoer is a skill all snowshoers should understand and use. Snowshoeing is unique among Special Olympics winter sports in that most of the races involve a mass start and the athletes do not have to stay in lanes. Passing is a form of interaction among the groups of racers.     Skill Progression Your Athlete Can Perform: Never Sometimes Often Snowshoe independently without following others Recognize when a pass is needed Identify a good spot on the course to pass Move to the correct side of snowshoer to be passed Move over sufficiently to pass without interference Pass snowshoer by accelerating slightly If moving in front of other snowshoer, determine with a glance when a two-stride lead is achieved Move in front of other snowshoer and continue race   Teaching Points A pass is usually required when a faster snowshoer catches up to a slower snowshoer or a snowshoer who has fallen or stopped. Near the end of a race, it is sometimes wise to initiate a pass so that the snowshoer has a clear run at the finish in case the leading snowshoer slows. Straight sections of the course or track are the best areas to pass. A snowshoer attempting to pass on the outside of a turn will have to cover more distance to pass, and thus will have to be moving significantly faster to make the pass successful. A snowshoer should be able to look ahead to see what is coming up on the course before starting a pass. If the course soon narrows, it may be best to wait until after that to initiate the pass. Athletes should move to the side with sufficient space to pass, and to the side that will position them on the inside of the next turn, if possible. Generally, snowshoers on a track will keep to the left edge, and passes will have to be made on the right. It is possible to pass on the left side on a track if the snowshoer in front has strayed from the left side and the pass can be made quickly enough so that the passing snowshoer cannot be cut off by the snowshoer in front, who has the right of way. Generally, you need to move at least 50 cm (20 inches) to the side of a snowshoer to pass. More is better as long as it does not significantly increase the distance to be covered. Ideally a pass can be made without significant energy-wasting changes in pace. Usually, completing a pass involves a slight acceleration in order to compensate for attempts by the leading snowshoer to maintain the lead. The extra length of snowshoes requires that passing snowshoers attain a greater lead before moving in front of the passed athlete than if they were walking/running without snowshoes on. A passing athlete needs to turn the head slightly to glance over in order to determine when he or she has a sufficient lead. Generally, a snowshoer needs to be a minimum of two strides or about 1.5 meters (4 1/2 feet) ahead to move in front without interfering. After taking the lead, the passing athlete should resume his or her own race. This means moving toward the side of the course so as to be on the inside of the next turn. The passing athlete should not worry about those behind him or her on the course.   Faults & Fixes Chart   Error Correction Drill Reference Athlete is reluctant/afraid to pass Pass Explain passing, practice passing to build confidence Sharks and Minnows Drill Athlete tries to pass on outside of a turn Pass on straight areas Explain longer distance covered on outside of turn, practice passing on straight Athlete passes too closely Pass with space Show by example and practice Relay Drills Athlete interferes by moving in front too soon Move in front after two strides (1.5 meter lead) Show athlete proper distance, practice passing and turning head to look Athlete passes but stays wide after pass Resume normal race Explain and show to athletes that "the race is in front;" practice passing and resuming race

Prev Page Next Page