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Putting on Snowshoes Most modern snowshoes have nylon strap binding systems whose use should be figured out and mastered in a warm, dry, indoor place before putting them on in the cold. It is important to note that your athletes should not move on hard surfaces with snowshoes on.     Skill Progression Your Athlete Can: Never Sometimes Often Identify left and right snowshoes Loosen binding straps Place foot in proper position on snowshoe Tighten bindings properly   Teaching Points Begin by determining the left snowshoe from the right snowshoe, if this applies. Generally, most toe and heel binding straps pull to the outside. Loosen binding straps so that there is sufficient play to insert your shoe easily. Place your foot/shoe on the snowshoe so that the ball of the foot is centered over the toe cord. Most snowshoe bindings work best if you snugly tighten the straps from front to back. Place the heel strap around the back of your shoe in some type of obvious notch or indentation in the back of the shoe, usually found where the upper meets the sole or mid-sole. Keep this strap off your sock to avoid irritating your leg but high enough from the bottom sole to keep it from slipping off. Pull the straps snug but not so tight that they pinch the toes and/or restrict movement and circulation. Check the tightness of straps again after 3-5 minutes of snowshoeing warm-up. If the snowshoes do not point straight ahead while walking or running, reposition the feet on the snowshoes at an angle and then firmly tighten the straps so the snowshoes point straight ahead.   Faults & Fixes Chart   Error Correction Drill Reference Putting incorrect snowshoe on foot Switch snowshoe to opposite foot Repeat putting on correct snowshoes Incorrect foot placement on snowshoe Correctly place foot on snowshoe   Snowshoe falls off Tighten bindings Repeat tightening bindings Foot moves in binding Tighten bindings Repeat tightening bindings Snowshoes do not point straight ahead while moving Try to reposition foot on snowshoe Have athlete move on snow, look at tracks

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