First take a look at my example, there are a couple of things to note. See how high my hands come with each stroke: to the top of my head. My body is tall and extended with a noticeable forward lean. You can see the angle of my ankles (acute rather than 90 degree). As my poles strike the ground there is a noticeable compression, my knees are soft and my torso only drops to about 45 degrees.
Next, Will: Think first about the hips. There is a forward lean in the torso, but it is not carried all the way through the legs remain vertical. Thinking about throwing the hands forward as they come up will help draw the whole body into the correct position.
Britta: Thinking about getting the hands higher, to the top of your head is the first step. As you work on swinging them up higher, also think about sending them forward to bring the rest of your body into line, establishing a more forward lean from the ankles all the way up.
Emma: hands are nice and high, but the shoulders are beginning to shrug, this creates tension and closes your chest so it’s harder to breathe. At the high point of your stroke, think about pushing the hips forward so that they come into line with your body. Try to keep them forward through the entire motion so that they do not drop back behind your feet.
Hannah: Notice that you are almost sitting as you reach the bottom of your pole. Think about extending your body upward initially so that you are as tall as possible and leaning forward. That way, as you compress you will be able to keep your hips forward instead of them falling down and back. Again, think about leading with the hands, your body is tall, but it is coming from your feet, concentrate on getting your hands to the top of your head each stroke. In your skate at the end, you are not stepping which is good, and your hips are in a pretty good place, but notice what we were talking about with your foot kicking back as you push off. Try to keep those toes in line, moving directly side to side.
Lydia: take a look at the selection of your finish; Your shoulders seem to lead your body upward rather than your hands. That means that your elbows have to come out to the sides, Try to think about keeping your elbows in close to your body and making momentum with your hands. Snapping the poles up high after each stroke. Also notice that as your poles hit the ground, the first thing that happens is that your hips drop. Try to concentrate on the abdominal crunch first and keep the hips high.
Alia: The kick double pole looks good, try to think about getting your hips a little farther forward, its not a big move, but it will change the angle of your ankle, getting your whole body a little more forward lean. Your hands could come up another inch or two, but generally look good.
Haley: Generally looks good, you could also think about driving the hips a little more forward. Your striding is very dynamic and you have a great flex in the knees. The one thing to think about there is that as you come onto your gliding ski, you are leading with that foot, it looks like you are trying to push it ahead of you. Try skiing with a little shorter stride and allowing your glide to carry you forward, rather than trying to step farther up the track.
Thank you for the Eph's reference. So witty
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