28.08.2008 - 15:05 h

The best way to train coordination and agility

Peter answers to the questions of Ski2b.com - Part II


Ski2b: Hello Peter. Today we will talk more about coordination and agility. Coordination training is crucial to balance. Is that why skiers pay special attention to balance during their training sessions?
Peter: In my opinion, the reason for the current focus being put on balance training is because it's “in fashion”. Personally, I use power/strength training to improve my balance because it helps stabilize my ligaments and knees - helping them stand up to the pressure of a season of competition.

Ski2b: Does good balance help when skiing on varied terrain and in indifferent kinds of snow?
Peter: Only partially. It is true that good balance helps stabilize your legs and your whole body, but don't mix this up with the feeling on your skis. It’s important let the ski ‘glide’ across the snow especially in the speed disciplines but also in flat parts of giant slalom. In some situations you benefit from good balance, while in others you have be careful not to get trapped by good balance, especially in the speed disciplines where you might end up using your edges too much, thus moving more slowly because you're not allowing the skis to glide.

Ski2b: Are only well-coordinated skiers fast gliders?
Peter: I don’t think so. You can only focus on gliding to a certain extent – and not on steep slopes. Some skiers are amazing at gliding - Deneriaz, Ghedina and Hudec - to name a few. But be aware that you cannot develop gliding through coordination training alone.

Ski2b: Let's move on to agility. I understand many skiers improve their agility through stretching and yoga. What about you?
Peter: I probably shouldn't admit this, but I don't do very much stretching. Having said that, in my summer training sessions it’s really important, but in the winter it's the opposite, you don't need to stretch at all. The reason for this is that it's good to feel the strain your muscles, and stretching decreases it.

Ski2b: Martial arts, football, surfing and ice hockey are good for developing agility, coordination, and speed. What sports do you like?
Peter: I’m a sports freak! I enjoy everything. I play golf, soccer, and ice hockey. I also swim and rollerblade. Versatility is common with skiers. The racers on the Italian Ski Team all practice different sports.

Ski2b: Is it essential to be an all-rounder in order to compete with stars like Bode Miller? His talent is well-known not only in skiing, but in many sports.
Peter: Probably. If you don't have the opportunity to try many different things it's hard to get to the top.

Ski2b: ‘Slackline’ is becoming a respected training methodology… What do you think about it?
Peter: I think it's useful for me.

Ski2b: Is believed that coordination and speed go back to childhood development. Is this the case for you? When did you start developing both?
Peter: When I was a child, we didn't have a specific training regime, and fitness was not a focus. During the summers, we spend a lot of time in the mountains so even if we weren't doing any exercise, just interacting with nature helped strengthen our physical condition.

Ski2b: Do you have any useful advice for people who enjoy sport in their free time? How does one approach a sport in the right manner, and what should you absolutely avoid?
Peter: I think everybody should find time to practice a sport of some kind. My friends who are not professional skiers need to really pay attention to what they're doing in order to avoid injuries. We all need endurance and strength. For people doing sports in their free time, agility and coordination are not as important. An amateur skier with poor strength is a recipe for landing in a hospital bed when skiing too fast!

Ski2b: Do professional skiers who place too much attention on endurance and strength run the risk of neglecting speed and coordination? Should they additionally focus on coordination training to help them improve their balance?
Peter: This is where practicing different kinds of sports is of benefit; in this case we say more is better! But every athlete must be aware of his or her own limits – it doesn’t make sense to ham it up or over do it. Like in everything, you have to find the right balance!

Ski2b: Thank you very much Peter for your professional advice!


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