USA Snowboarding Technical Fundamentals

By Jon Steel

USA hosted various on snow clinics throughout the week. The final session I attended was on Friday afternoon with the topic being ‘Snowboarding technical fundamentals’.

I was interested in hearing more about their fundamentals framework to further the content that I deliver during instructor training in California. The clinic was presented by Tony Macri and Amy Bailey, with Chris Rogers tail gunning to assist where necessary.

Tony presented the snowboarding fundamentals:

We began with a lap through the terrain park and split into pairs. In the pair we took an opportunity to observe each other over a jump then provide feedback on which fundamentals were applied. The discussions varied depending on the manoeuvre attempted. Riders were using more tilt of the board when doing a spin vs a straight air for example.

After heading up the T-bar Tony spoke about how the fundamentals can be applied in an exam scenario. In this case we touched on the Lv3 skidded turn with separation of the upper & lower body whilst using an extension/retraction movement pattern. Tony, Lyndsey & Chris split into 3 different feedback areas and provided feedback with using the fundamentals as a framework. The group attempted their feedback in a ‘highlighted task’. This was taking the targeted fundamental and applying a drill/exercise with the aim to improve the movements in that fundamental. Tony gave me feedback on the extension/retraction movement pattern with a highlighted task to attempt it in. The drill was traverses with the aim of getting air with a retraction movement instead of an extension movement.

From there, we can continue to integrated/applied tasks (which is the examiner setting a turn type/freestyle task) for the candidate to attempt. From this the examiner will observe to see if the movements can be applied in both the highlighted and integrated task.

Through the certification pathway the examiners will be assessing various application of fundamentals. Starting with 2 or more fundamentals at Lv1, 4 or more at Lv2 and all fundamentals at Lv3.

Tony spoke to how the AASI is going through a state of change with regards to the assessment/exam criteria. With USA being a big country and having many divisions there has been challenges regulating the standard across the country. The aim now is for a national standard across the exams countrywide. With the intention of using the fundamentals in highlighted tasks and integrated/applied tasks.

Tony, Amy & Chris did a great job of presenting the fundamentals, why they’re used and the application in exam scenarios. A huge thanks to team USA!