N O W B O A R D IN G - Special Olympics

Heelside Falling Leaf
Special Olympics Snowboarding
Coaches Quick Start Guide
Do not introduce this skill until the athlete has developed the ability to perform both the heelside and toeside side slips
with good balance. Before initiating the drill, review a properly balanced and centered stance as well as how speed can
be controlled by utilizing the edge of the board. Begin by hand-assisting the athlete as he or she performs a heelside side
slip. As the athlete moves forward, begin to have him or her apply more pressure to one foot. Remind the athlete to
use the edge of the board to keep from picking up too much speed. Ask him or her to notice what happens. As more
pressure is applied, the board will begin to move in that direction. When the athlete’s stance is returned to the center
with weight equally distributed, the board will begin to travel in a straighter line forward down the hill.
While hand-assisting the athlete performing a side slip, have him or her apply slight pressure to one foot. As the
board begins to change direction (the board will begin to move across the hill rather than down), ask the athlete to
return to a centered stance with balance equally distributed on both feet. Once the board is centered and moving
straight downhill, have the athlete apply pressure to the opposite foot, followed by returning to center. By alternating
pressure to each side and back to center, the athlete’s board will begin to follow the “falling leaf” pattern down the hill.
As the athlete becomes comfortable with the movement, ask him or her to begin experimenting with the amount of
pressure used, each time returning to center. Offer progressively less hand assistance as the athlete becomes more
proficient with the movement, but walk in front of the athlete so that assistance can be offered if necessary and to help
slow the athlete if he or she begins to lose control. Be sure to practice pressuring in both directions across the hill.
Teaching Points – Heelside Falling Leaf
1. Start with knees flexed, eyes up.
2. Begin with pressure on the heelside edge, equally with both feet.
3. Have the athlete slowly shift the weight toward the nose or the tail of the snowboard, looking in the direction of
travel.
4. Release heel pressure SLOWLY; snowboard will begin to move downhill in a diagonal direction.
5. The movement of the snowboard should be a smooth, flowing motion.
6. Once the athlete is comfortable moving in one direction, have him or her move in the opposite direction.
7. Continue alternating directions down the hill.
NOTE: For Drills refer to the Full Snowboarding Coaching Guide at www.specialolympics.org
Snowboarding Quick Start Guide- March 2008 35