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Flailing Arms problem

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La_Chapa
Posts: 37 - Karma: 1,273
I tried using the search bar but didn't come up with anything. So in this past year of skiing I have progressed a ton, but my arms seem to just go everywhere. It's painful to watch. When I look at video I sometimes cringe. Do you guys have any helpful tips on how to keep the arms down?
Nov 13 2014 7:48PM
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gnar_whal
Posts: 1286 - Karma: 3,788
Don't be a gaper
Nov 13 2014 7:49PM
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La_Chapa
Posts: 37 - Karma: 1,273
thanks homie.
Nov 13 2014 7:50PM
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dubes720
Posts: 128 - Karma: 130
when spinning. try to focus a core movement. spin with your shoulders even. if u just focus on keeping your arms at your side while spinning will help to. another tip is to reach for something like a safety grab. just remember to pull your legs up to you to do so.
Nov 13 2014 7:57PM
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SketchyBacon
Posts: 41 - Karma: 1,562
pull them goggs over that hat.....fill that gap
Nov 13 2014 8:20PM
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JahLiam
Posts: 2321 - Karma: 7,828
put your hands in your pocket
Nov 13 2014 8:29PM
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270on420out
Posts: 7516 - Karma: 51,166
Think of your arms being made of cement. Spin with your hips more than your shoulders too. When I ski without poles, I put snow down my pants every time my arms flail as a deterrent. I got wet a lot
Nov 13 2014 8:37PM
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La_Chapa
Posts: 37 - Karma: 1,273
Hey thanks for the tips guys!
Nov 13 2014 9:10PM
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Toaster-Tony
Posts: 3531 - Karma: 5,850
Just keep practicing, it will come with time and experience. But to help speed up your progression, instead of focusing on not using your arms at all, try using them them constructively. Every time you make a move to spin, let your arms lead the way as you legs follow. Most of the time when people are flail, it's because they are whipping their skis first and leaving their upper body behind.

Envision it like this: Punch the way you want to spin with your opposite hand, pop, then spot your landing and stomp the shit out of it.
Nov 13 2014 9:37PM
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shotvet
Posts: 302 - Karma: 1,614
Wallisch says to imagine putting your hands in your pocket. You will need to throw your arms initially, but once your rotation has started pretend you are playing pocket pool
Nov 13 2014 9:46PM
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BigScaryLarry
Posts: 1448 - Karma: 2,732
if you where a hoodie just stick ur hands in ur pockets
Nov 13 2014 9:47PM
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B.Quincy
Posts: 1074 - Karma: 963
Do a grab does the trick every time
Nov 13 2014 10:17PM
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VAPEOREON
Posts: 459 - Karma: 800
Look at them when hitting a rail/jump to visualize where they are/need to be a few times. When you hit the jump look at your hands and lead the spin with your shoulders instead of your head, and watch them help lead the spin. Same with rail, but put em down and watch them help the balance. Once you can visualize where they are and why they are there to help you, it should be easy to remember. gl.
Nov 14 2014 1:03AM
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Shredsterr
Posts: 2090 - Karma: 6,930
If you're not using poles, use poles. That'll actually help a ton. If you are using poles, listen to other advice cuz I got none.
Nov 14 2014 1:05AM
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SteezoSaurus
Posts: 2630 - Karma: 2,670
As mentioned use poles and practice tricks over and over. Once you know how its going to feel you will be more conscious of where your body is in space rather than just blacking out and hoping to come around. Also wearing a one piece suit will help significantly.
Nov 14 2014 1:13AM
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SEABURN
Posts: 4859 - Karma: 2,762
get stronger... more strength = less flail
Nov 14 2014 1:51AM
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ChillTeenDad420
Posts: 1858 - Karma: 5,512
get reeaaaaaaalllll high, so high you can't feel your arms. then do tricks and you will look steezy
Nov 14 2014 2:27AM
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Willows
Posts: 442 - Karma: 2,631
Tighten your muscles in your arms just like you would with your core when spinning.
Nov 14 2014 7:23AM
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yeahmon
Posts: 481 - Karma: 276
Using poles helped me a lot with the same problem.
Nov 14 2014 8:25AM
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Mr.Bishop
Posts: 22708 - Karma: 76,635
You'd be amazed at how many problems can be solved with a really strong PPP on takeoff.

Imagine that there is a stick of bamboo lying across the lip of the jump, and that you need to jump over it. With a strong pop on takeoff, it puts you in control of the jump vs. the jump in control of you. Flailing is often caused when you're back seat, and this will help with that.

The other thing that someone mentioned was setting your tricks as more of a core motion. This is very relevant, as most people think that you set a spin with your arms, which isn't totally true. A 360 should mostly be set with your hip and shoulder vs. using your arms. Great thing to try as someone said is pretending like your hands are in your pockets and only use your core to set the trick. You can try this in plain cloths on a regular day, where you just do a 360 on flat ground with your hands in your pockets. Get used to both popping and setting your rotation with hip and shoulder at once.

Consider going to a ski camp as well. But of coaching can help a ton, and these environments are super fun and loose.
Nov 14 2014 8:29AM
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Camharhar
Posts: 198 - Karma: 555
tape your arms to your legs
Nov 14 2014 8:51AM
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Camharhar
Posts: 198 - Karma: 555
tape your arms to your legs
Nov 14 2014 8:51AM
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Mr.Huck
Posts: 6096 - Karma: 14,902
In addition to Doug's pearls of wisdom, I would suggest working on controlling your hands with your feet on the ground, then take it to the air. Work on skiing with your hands in front of you and spread out a little. I like to describe it to people as driving the bus. Think about being on a balance beam. Would you be more balanced with your hands out to the side a little or in your pockets? Now imagine the balance beam is now sliding down a hill. Wouldn't you move your hands a little forward to compensate for that motion?

When you are feeling like you are off balance in the air, take a few minutes and focus on fundamentals. What you do and the way you are positioned skiing up to a jump will effect what happens when you hit it. If you are still trying to figure out what to do with your hands skiing up to a jump, there is little chance that you are going to feel in control when you are in the air.

So focus on keeping your hands in a good position on the way up to the jump and things will be way better. Also, to add to Bishop's pop sermon, exhaling with a purpose, like you would if you were doing a rep weight lifting, will make your pop smoother and more effective. It will also help you to not let the trick psych you out. Instead of focusing on what might happen or what could go wrong, you just think about hands + exhale/extend = good things.
Nov 14 2014 10:38AM
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kim_jong_ill
Posts: 1019 - Karma: 3,147
Pretend you're a bird. have your arms stretched out afterbang style at all times. Trust me it looks thug
Nov 14 2014 1:03PM
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johnblaze
Posts: 1484 - Karma: 2,629
keep practicing.. it's cause you're not in control.. more practice..more control.
Nov 14 2014 3:25PM
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MEOWZERS
Posts: 734 - Karma: 391
Have a buddy handcuff you then hit the biggest jump you can find. You'll learn real quick and look steazy as hell in the process...
Nov 14 2014 3:43PM
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Slush
Posts: 1916 - Karma: 12,960
cut ur arms off
Nov 14 2014 3:44PM
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mcswizzle
Posts: 842 - Karma: 2,298
Embrace it, Shay Lee style.
Nov 14 2014 4:16PM
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cheener12
Posts: 2881 - Karma: 5,887
mcswizzleEmbrace it, Shay Lee style.


please don't do this haha
Nov 14 2014 4:28PM
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Antdowg
Posts: 71 - Karma: 536
You alredy had a ton of good tips for winter (except the one that told you to use some long poles haha), maybe i have something for summer.

I feel like skating some bowl would help you a lot! I mean, you basicaly can't skate with your arms shaking.. it learn you how to control your shoulders so you can use the transition to the maximum.
Nov 14 2014 6:49PM
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africans_eatants
Posts: 107 - Karma: 112
Hustle_CroweI tried using the search bar but didn't come up with anything. So in this past year of skiing I have progressed a ton, but my arms seem to just go everywhere. It's painful to watch. When I look at video I sometimes cringe. Do you guys have any helpful tips on how to keep the arms down?


poles.
Nov 15 2014 2:46AM
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katrina
Posts: 2395 - Karma: 15,198
Twinipzcut ur arms off


OR just literally do the trick a million times, once you truly get comfortable with a trick it just goes away, but having homies call you out on it all the time doesn't hurt either, helps remind you to stop it. i used to/ still grab the sides of my hoodie in rail tricks if i know i won't be able to resist becoming wacky waving inflatable arm man.
Nov 15 2014 9:17AM
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_salty_
Posts: 672 - Karma: 1,034
I have the same problem with new tricks just get used to the trick your doing.
Nov 15 2014 9:45AM
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kamron_708
Posts: 944 - Karma: 1,129
Grab your skis. If one arm flails make it a stylish flail. That is the 'in' thing to do this year.

So grab, and have one hand as high above you as possible basically
Nov 15 2014 10:32AM
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DrunkenHermit
Posts: 28 - Karma: 77
this thread reminds me of that part in ricky bobby when he's doin that interview and doesn't know what to do with his hands.. fun fact. anyways tho like someone else said skating really helps. wear big hoodies to hide it more. practice. or just use poles.
Nov 15 2014 10:37AM
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DrunkenHermit
Posts: 28 - Karma: 77
this thread reminds me of that part in ricky bobby when he's doin that interview and doesn't know what to do with his hands.. fun fact. anyways tho like someone else said skating really helps. wear big hoodies to hide it more. practice. or just use poles.
Nov 15 2014 10:37AM
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DowseBigamy
Posts: 113 - Karma: 147
I've had trouble spinning and jumping with a great flailing motion too. What's been said about being backseat when this happens is very true.
I've found it useful to do things in stages - try a quick run through things first, see how you feel. I've then found it useful to do a couple of runs without poles. It makes me think more about where I'm putting my arms and what I'm doing with them, and seems to help me get my balance point better. It also greatly reduces the risk of me hitting myself in the face with a pole. Then, when you're a little more comfortable, bring the poles back into the picture. You should have a better feeling for the body movements required, and there should be less or no flailing!

I know this approach isn't for everyone, and feel free to not listen to my suggestion because I'm terrible at most park related things - but it definitely helped me!
Nov 15 2014 12:06PM
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