Hardboot Learning Progression

Hardboot learning/movement progression (In need of a few updates)

(This presumes minimal turning ability.)

-Basic sidecut turns (x-over)

Upright, least-complicated posture.  Aim is to hit the sidecut turn after turn on gentle terrain.

-Basic sidecut turns with increased edge angle to decrease radius

With upright posture, determine how much edge angle one can utilize without getting stuck inside/stalling.

-Determine limit of edge angle via inclination/angulation

Add most basic use of angulation to balance higher(tippier) edge angle earlier in the turn while momentum is smallest.  Distribute loads of turn over greater area.

-Use of ‘fluctuating’ angulation to ride steeper terrain.

Angulation allows for advancing of timing of turn initiation.  More energy is dispersed over a greater area.  With greater skill development, angulation becomes a byproduct, rather than a means.

-Affect turn radius at given edge angle via fore/aft pressure distribution

Tighten turn radius in carved turn by forward weight bias, followed by rearward bias at release.

-Develop controlled skid/recovery at given edge angle via fore/aft pressure distribution

Induce controlled skid independent of rotary movement.

-Upper /lower body separation

This actually begins with independent movement of the head at the novice level.  Next via articulation of the hip sockets, combined with some give at the spine.  Discretionary tension or lack thereof in the connective muscle groups is important.

-Combine flexion/extension with basic sidecut turn as introduction to rebound and absorption, concept of variable timing

Short at the connection, long at the apex.  Be aware of phase shift tendencies.

-X-under

Board moves under center of mass from one edge to the other.

-Basic sidecut turns down the fall line(shallow gradient)

Rock board from edge to edge, using lower extremities.

-Selective use of upper extremities to affect rotational stability

For instance, inertial braking of rotation in the bumps using selective arm deployment.

-Fall-line turns with flexion/ extension

Aim for a deeper arc in the basic sidecut turn listed above. Upper body mass becomes more important as the “base of support”

-Fall-line turns with flexion /extension and rebound

Deploy energy stored in the board accurately.  Feet are now moving ‘faster’ than core.

-Fall line turns with flexion/extension, development of controlled skid via pressure distribution

More or less same as previous, but overload forebody of board to create tighter turn without skidding.

-Long radius turns incorporating flexion /extension to minimize vertical displacement of COM (introduction to x-through)

Etc, etc.