Kistler's Trick Tips #9, #10 & #11

BKistler

9. Learn shorthand trick descriptions.

Some readers do not know trick shorthand. Here are the basic symbols:

SS- side slide
B- trick ends in back position
F- trick ends in front position
BB- “back to back” beginning and ending in the back position, equivalent of OB
O- 360 degree turn
5- 540 degree turn
T- toehold trick
W- wake trick
L- “line” or step over
SL- “ski line” or body over

WL5F= a 540 degree wake step over landing in the front position

10. Visualize the landing…and go there.

Here’s another helpful tip for compressing multiple motions into one fluid action: Visualize a solid landing—then simply go to that position. It’s a short cut to help your body do what it needs to get there.

11. Resist the tendency to turn too fast.

You need to spin briskly to perform many tricks, but don’t spin so fast that you throw yourself off balance. Each trick has a certain cadence, a fluid motion from start to finish that is not necessarily done at break-neck speed. Try to find that smooth, easy motion. Be patient. I often find that turning slower is better, even on toe tricks. The same holds true for runs. You’ll get more tricks in if you do them slow and smooth rather than rushing from trick to trick. Finish each trick and settle with a tight line before going into the next trick.

6balls

I always turned slow and never needed to land!

lpskier

Slow is smooth and smooth is fast.