CODE SL: The Slalom Formula. How to Control Skis with Maximum Efficiency
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• Error: Passive foot leads to reduced ski control.
5. Arm Positioning
Role: Supports balance and helps to control torso movement.
• ✓ Arms level with shoulders, slightly ahead of the body – promotes stability.
• ✓ Arm movements during transitions help to maintain equilibrium.
• Error: Overly wide or passive arm positioning disrupts torso control.
Conclusion:
Forces distribution in slalom depends on accurate control of pelvis, shins, torso, feet and arms. The better a skier controls these elements, the more effectively he loads the skis, reducing braking in the a turn.
3. Practical Application of CODE SL1. Self-Analysis Using the State Matrix
• Break turns down into phases and identify which states are used.
• Determine which variations are most effective in different conditions.
2. Training Ski Pressure Timing
• Master different ski loading techniques (early, mid, late pressure).
• Train smooth transitions between states.
• Learn to control ski pressure without abrupt force shifts.
CODE SL Implementation for Technical Analysis in slalom:
1. Data Collection
✓ Record video from multiple angles (front, side, back).
✓ Use slow-motion playback for detailed breakdown.
2. Turn Phase Breakdown:
✓ Preparation – Completing one turn and initiating the next.
✓ Transition – Edge switch with pressure release.
✓ Initial Pressure Load
✓ Peak Ski Pressure
✓ Guiding the arc post-peak
✓ Exit – Preparation: finish the turn and get ready for the next turn.
3. Positioning and Balance Analysis
✓ Head and shoulders – Stable or misaligned?
✓ Pelvis – does it remain balanced?
✓ Legs and feet – Even ski loading or extra weight on one ski?
4. Ski Interaction Evaluation
✓ Pressure Timing: Early or late pressure?
✓ Edging and edge Change: Smooth or abrupt movements?
✓ Turn Efficiency: Any unnecessary braking?
5. Determine key points to improve
✓ Choose 1–2 main mistakes
✓ Find exercises to fix them
✓ Evaluate the progress through repeated analysis
Regular usage of CODE SL helps to see the key reasons of technical mistakes and to improve one’s slalom technique systematically, minimizing the speed loss in turns.
Conclusion:
The CODE SL system and State Matrix illustrate that slalom technique is not a rigid formula but a set of possible states, from which skiers should choose the optimal ones for each situation.
Key Takeaways:
✓ Efficient ski management is about forces control, not just copying correct movements.
✓ World Cup leaders adjust technique based on course conditions and turn phase.
✓ The State Matrix helps to analyze technique and find effective movements for each athlete.
VI. Understanding Turn Phases and Ski Dynamics in Slalom: Extension Turns and Flexion Turns
Modern slalom in not just about precision in turns execution, but also a conscious control of forces and the timing of ski pressure. However, classic models that divide a turn into 3–4 phases often fail to capture the complexity of real-world execution. This section will cover:
• Why traditional turn phases do not provide a complete picture.
• How the turn phases described by Ron LeMaster and Hermann Vallner are complemented by the analysis of modern slalom techniques within the CODE SL approach.
• How a skier navigates the course through states in the CODE SL matrix rather than simply executing turns.
• The role of Transition Types A and B in speed management and ski control.
1. Why the Traditional 3–4 Phase Division Fails to Capture the Full PictureClassic Theories of Slalom Turns:
Turn Phases by Ron LeMaster ("Ultimate Skiing", 2009)
Ron LeMaster introduced a more detailed division of turn phases based on biomechanics and skier-snow interaction. He identified three main phases:
1. Transition – The initiation of the turn, where the skier shifts from one edge to the other. This involves edge release, pressure reduction, and edge change.
2. Steering – The main part of the turn, where the skis carve through the snow. The skier increases pressure on the outside ski, builds edge angles, and controls trajectory.
3. Completion – The exit phase, where edge pressure decreases, the body aligns, and the skier prepares for the next turn.
This model remains relevant in modern biomechanical ski analyses as it effectively describes the skier’s and skis’ dynamics in a turn. LeMaster also examined pressure release through flexion and extension, body inclination angles, ski mechanics, and force distribution throughout the turn.
Turn Phases by Hermann Vallner ("Richtig Carven", 2008)
Vallner identified three key phases:
1. Preparation Phase – Positioning before the transition.
2. Transition Phase – Edge change, involving pressure release and turn initiation.
3. Control Phase – Ski loading, turn shaping, peak pressure application, followed by a transition to the next preparation phase.
Vallner emphasized pressure management and force distribution, particularly the role of centrifugal force. He described both extension and flexion turns, which improve understanding of turn structures. However, even his approach does not fully account for the variability observed in World Cup athletes.
Why These Approaches Have Limitations
• In real slalom, there’s no rigid division – Skiers adjust pressure and control glide depending on the course.
• Different pressure timing changes the turn character dramatically.
• World Cup skiers do not always use full (prolonged) edge engagement – their arcs often differ from idealized models.
• Edge change technique influences turn characteristics – Different pressure release methods affect how the turn develops.
Example: Some turns minimize the "steering phase," emphasizing rapid loading and exit instead.
Common Mistakes in Turn Phase Interpretation
1. Overly rigid segmentation → Turns flow smoothly, with blurred phase boundaries.
2. Ignoring pressure variability → Skiers use early or late loading depending on terrain and gate spacing.
3. Misunderstanding transitions between phases → The key in slalom is pressure release and edge change, not just active carving.
2. How LeMaster and Vallner's Phases Complement the CODE SL Approach?The Role of Extension and Flexion Turns
Modern slalom trends indicate that relying on just one turn type limits a skier’s effectiveness, reducing his skiing variability and adaptability. The key is to combine extension and flexion turns based on terrain, gate spacing, and snow conditions.
Extension Turn (Early Pressure, Before the Fall Line)
• Used in sections requiring stability and smooth loading.
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