Drill
Optional Contact versus Reaching
Distinguish purposeful touch from a movement that creates loss of support.
HOW TO DO IT
Optional Contact versus Reaching
Distinguish purposeful touch from a movement that creates loss of support.
Preparation and setting
Supported no-contact lowering and return; coach chooses a modest contact task on suitable snow. No forced hand/head placement.
Exercise sequence
- Ride the no-contact baseline and note its path and exit.
- At the same demonstrated depth, allow a brief light gliding contact only if naturally available and pre-agreed with the coach.
- Observe whether the board path or body relationship changes before, during or after touch.
- On a later attempt remove contact by regressing the task; never suddenly lift a hand while already dependent on it.
- Repeat only if touch stays optional and return uses leg action rather than arm leverage.
Transfer
Use in ED13/ED14 to choose a short workable window. Contact configuration remains method/variant-specific.
Errors addressed
Hand-first reach; Rigid planted support; Contact drag mistaken for edge problem.
Observable success
Contact does not supply the principal support and the matched no-contact task remains available.
Regression
Return to ED10/ED11 shallower non-contact arcs and reassess site if irregularities disturb the body.
Editorial origin
SBSweet editorial exercise; not a verbatim source-school lesson.
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editorial review notes
No source-school approval is claimed; coaching review is pending.