 Poster: A snowHead
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| FastMan wrote: |
| Here's a thought, guys and gals. From what I gather, it seems BASI is going to a skills based teaching model? If that's the case, then a request for a candidate to execute, on the spot, a new skill blend (with no heads up on what's coming) is a very good way to test the extent and adaptability of the skills base the instructor owns. |
Would you recommend that the entire assessment for that course, which in itself is an essential part of a wide ranging teaching qualification comprising several week-long assessment modules, be determined by a pass/fail situation on that one drill which they had never seen before?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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fatbob, In point of fact the WhitePass or inclination/angulation is on Fastman's DVDs.  Junior T Bar (aged 12 IIRC) was doing it here 2 years ago with me, and I regularly do it with my higher level students. I don't want to get involved in any row about this, I agree that advance info about the course is a good thing, OTOH Level 2 coach has been talked about on here as a race coach qualification so as a second level it's not unreasonable to assume a certain knowledge about race training or skill based exercises.
Wayne, congratulations.
BTW the goalposts were constantly changing in my day too. Mostly though there was a discrepancy between what they said they wanted and what they actually passed/failed peeps on. I will elaborate if required.
skimottaret, I had the impression that LT was sympathising.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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| rob@rar wrote: |
| FastMan wrote: |
| Here's a thought, guys and gals. From what I gather, it seems BASI is going to a skills based teaching model? If that's the case, then a request for a candidate to execute, on the spot, a new skill blend (with no heads up on what's coming) is a very good way to test the extent and adaptability of the skills base the instructor owns. |
Would you recommend that the entire assessment for that course, which in itself is an essential part of a wide ranging teaching qualification comprising several week-long assessment modules, be determined by a pass/fail situation on that one drill which they had never seen before? |
Rob, how someone performs on the fly, executing a skill blend they might not be familiar with, tells me heaps about the quality of their existing skill base. Whether or not a particular lack of base demands a "fail" depends on the minimum skill level the certification process designers deem appropriate. I'm not going to second guess where that minimum threshold level should be,,, that's up to the organization leaders.
What message I will promote strongly, though, is the importance of the idea of skill building. If instructors pursued it with vigor, regardless of what a specific test required or didn't, they'd be able to boot the ball through the goal posts everytime, no matter how many times the test writers tried to move the posts. Reach that point, and you've reached true expert skiing,,, the same place we're trying to lead our student to.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| FastMan wrote: |
| What message I will promote strongly, though, is the importance of the idea of skill building. |
I have no argument with that, but I know a bit about assessing performance and it's not good practice to have wide ranging qualifications decided, on a pass or fail basis, on one assessment criterion for which there is no clear guidance on what the criterion will be.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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| easiski wrote: |
| fatbob, In point of fact the WhitePass or inclination/angulation is on Fastman's DVDs. |
"WhitePass,,,, or inclination/angulation." Exactly, Easiski!!! Inclination and angulation are precisely the skill areas White Pass Leans focus on and require for proper execution. It's all about honing the balance management skills. That's not just a racing thing,,, it's what all skiers who hope to reach their potential need to do. White Pass leans is a higher level drill that will benefit all skiers if introduced at the proper time.
Little Tiger, it was Steve Mahre. Funny story. Back in the late 80's I was teaching a class at Copper Mtn., Colorado. We were working on White Pass leans, and I was telling the story of it's origin. As I was talking I noticed my classes attention being pulled away from me. I turned around to see Steve Mahre skiing by us in his amazing world class form. "Yep, kids, that's the guy who invented it"! It's as relevant a drill today as it was back then.
Last edited by Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do. on Wed 5-08-09 23:12; edited 1 time in total
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| rob@rar wrote: |
| FastMan wrote: |
| What message I will promote strongly, though, is the importance of the idea of skill building. |
I have no argument with that |
That's great, Rob. Then please help me spread the word!
As far as the rest of it, it's internal politics that I'm not going to stick my nose in. I just want to help people learn to ski, and I'm going about doing that in the most widespread, productive way I can. My skill building DVD's are being shipped to recreational skiers all around the world, and they're also being used pervasively by instructors to acquire new levels of certification, and pass whatever test their countries governing body tosses at them.
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| FastMan wrote: |
| how someone performs on the fly, executing a skill blend they might not be familiar with, tells me heaps about the quality of their existing skill base. Whether or not a particular lack of base demands a "fail" depends on the minimum skill level the certification process designers deem appropriate. |
I say again . . . the whole group passed, including those non-racers (like me) who had never heard of some of the drills.
This has nothing to do with politics (I personally think BASI is generally an OK set up) it's just to do with assessment on unspecified criteria, but (again) the whole group passed so this is evidently not the normal gripe by someone who failed a course seeking self justification.
There were other, extremely serious, problems with the course which I haven’t mentioned.
Such as;
At dinner on Tuesday the raspberry ice cream was replaced by a yucky chocolate blend.
In the bar, the G & T's were made with an inferior T
After being pointed at and dead-eyed all week by some trainee Austrian ski instructors I am expecting hate e mails for the rest of my life.
Etc
Oh the dead-eye thing
I got into the (empty) lift on Tues evening. As the doors closed I noticed that someone had left behind an “extremely” smelly one. Gut turning would not be too far fetched. The sort of silent-but-deadly that no-one ever owns up to.
Too late to get out as the doors had closed. So, trying to hold my breath (I was only going to 2nd floor) up I went. Yep, you guessed it, the doors opened at the 1st floor and 2 young Austrian girls stepped in and immediately got the full effect? What the hell is “it’s wasn’t me” in German?
When I got out, even before the doors closed, I could hear them wretching loudly and laughing.
In this case (unusually) it really wasn’t me 
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Wayne, they still haven't sorted out the ice cream problem? That's really shocking! I shall withhold part of my membership fees until cast iron guarantees are put in place.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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| skimottaret wrote: |
BASI trainers seem to prize versatility and adaptability during training weeks. I have seen lots of very good skiers who couldnt make changes to their skiing come unstuck and struggle. As they are training instructors who must be able to demonstrate lots of different skills (and forms) being hit with the unusual to see how they cope is a good thing IMO... |
That's great to hear, skimottaret, that your trainers prize versatility and adaptability. It's so important, as a coach/instrutor to have those attributes in the tool box.
Here's one example of why it's so important. I've been coaching over 30 years, and you'd think after all that time I'd have all my teaching tricks figured out, but I still to this day devise new drills on the spot to overcome learning challenges that individual students present me with. When you invent new drills on the spot you need to be able to demonstrate them on the spot. If you don't have the full foundation skill package firmly in your grasp, and the ability to blend those skills in any manner you choose, spontaneous drill creation is a part of your coaching abilities that is just not possible.
BTW, I had one of those need driven creative moments at the Fast & Easy camp last month. Came up with a new drill to help a student overcome a overly narrow stance, which transformed into a non tipped inside ski when the feet were separated. The drill is a real winner that has the potential to help almost all skiers looking to take their carving to a place beyond flat run rail turning. It promotes inside hip drive, counter creation, long leg / short leg, inside knee tip, and parallel shins and edge angles, all in one shot. It will be finding a home into my regular teaching repertoire. Now I just need to name it.
Hmmmmm. Having written out all those attributes, a name just sprung to mind. How about,,,,,,,,,,,,, THE KITCHEN SINK.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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FastMan, Yeah - I invented one for LT once - beggared if I can remember what it was though - did the trick IIRC. Seriously though, the ability to invent new exercises to help a particular student with a particular problem is essential IMV.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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easiski, yep I've been the inspiration for more than a few new specialty drills 
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You know it makes sense.
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roga, congratulations.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Poster: A snowHead
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rob@rar, easiski, thanks very much 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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roga, well done mate
Did the hat ever come off ?
Do you know if shaun passed as well - have texted him but no reply
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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roga, well done!
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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| Wayne wrote: |
| Did the hat ever come off ? |
It did, occasionally ... you'll find evidence on Facebook ... 
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FAQ
