Tom GellieBig Picture Skiing Pty Ltd · Coach/Director

Rotational Alignment in Skiing - Preview

4 Mar 2019 · 1 min

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1:29

In this preview video, the instructor outlines the concept of the rotational plane of movement in skiing, responding to a Facebook query. He explains why mastering rotational control is essential for power and edge engagement, defines the specific rotational movements involved, and identifies the body segments (hips, knees, glutes) that generate them. The discussion includes dry‑land training cues such as a dragon pistol squat to develop awareness, criteria for judging correct rotational magnitude, and common mistakes skiers make. A brief comment from Tom Gellie highlights the tactical use of force to halt rotation, allowing the skis to bite into the snow, illustrating the practical application of these principles.

Chapters

Okay, so this video is going to be focused on the rotational plane of movement in regards to skiing. I had a good question from someone on Facebook that asked me about this particular topic and my thoughts on it, so I'm going to try and get across a few things which I've written down just to remember. The main things I want to get across are: why you need to understand and know how to control rotational plane movements, what exactly are these movements, where in the body can you create rotational movements from, and their positives and negatives, How do you create these movements? So we can maybe do some dryland type sort of training awareness to get that going. How do you know when it's the right amount or when it's correct? So some markers of success. When would you create these movements?
Because it's not going to be— it's going to be different at different parts of the turn.
If there are any situations when this will change. And then finally go over some common problems I guess I see see with skiers and their rotational plane movements.
He deliberately is going to apply more force and direct and stop his rotational movements so the skis bite.
And you'll see, so very quick and the most amount of power generated in that very small moment. So it's a body turning against the legs as opposed to the legs turning against the body. But there is the ability to rotate at the knee joint, as demonstrated here. If I go into what I would be like a dragon pistol squat setup, rotationally through the turn could come from either tight glutes on this side Or—