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The Intro
Diagonal stride technique can be many things, simple or complex, a relaxing shuffle or extremely demanding, (the highest VO2 intakes are achieved when striding). There are many nuances in good diagonal stride technique that require time and patience to achieve, but when it is all put together nothing in cross country skiing is as rewarding or fun.
A seldom talked about phase in diagonal striding that can make a real difference to power and efficiency is what is known as the “hitch”. It is a subtle extra movement by the ankle that improves wax set and gives a better kick. This action should really only be attempted by skiers who already have a reasonable kick, good glide and balance. This phase can be a little confusing, and as it adds another movement to the technique you need a long enough glide on one ski to have enough time to complete it. In other words, this is a fairly advanced technique that requires an already reasonable understanding of diagonal stride as well as balance and timing to be able to pull it off.
The Nitty Gritty
Lets imagine we are happily gliding along fully balanced on one ski just like your average Norwegian ski God. I sense that my ski is starting to lose momentum, and I must now prepare to initiate my next kick, just so I can keep the whole thing rolling along.
Instead of just pushing down on the ski to set the wax and drive off it, I am going to add a hitch.
To do this I push my foot forward to “open up” the angle between the top of my foot and my shin, this not only pushes my ski forward but it also puts more weight over my heel so as to get a better wax set and stronger kick. When done properly this little action adds significant grip to the ski and can make a pair of skis that slip, grip, or turn a pair of skis that grip into a set of crampons.
The Problem
The problem with this movement is that we are trying to squeeze another stroke into an already busy technique. It requires a longish glide, quick feet, good timing and practise but is well worth the effort.
How To Learn It
One method of the learning the hitch is just to ski around slowly, thinking about opening the angle or pushing your toes forward. This is how I learnt and it takes a long time, a more efficient method is to actually do drills that will speed up the learning.
In well-set tracks, on flat terrain or a very slight uphill, without poles (they just get in your way) and with good wax or wax-less pattern, try scootering with one ski.
Choose one ski, say your left, push off it and glide on your right, now, being quite deliberate in your thoughts try scootering again but this time try pushing your foot forward before initiating the kick. It is important to only try doing this with one side at a time, trying to learn with both sides at once is a recipe for frustration.
After getting a feel for it with one foot try the other, when that is comfortable try alternating feet, when that is working add poles.
Where To Use It
Use it in any diagonal stride situation where you have a long enough glide to be able to fit it in, say flats or gradual uphills; on steep hills your tempo will have to increase to the stage that you just don’t have time to add the extra element without losing momentum. It is also used to great effect in kick double pole technique.
Hope you can get this to work.
Cheers Andrew Hall
Remember, good technique is its own reward.
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