Ski course APUL C parallel skiing, its teaching and analysis

Course C is a follow-up course in APUL education. It is a 6 day course. It is open to skiers 16 years and older, who have successfully completed the APUL “D” ski course or APUL "C" SNB course. Minimum 14 days of work experience in a ski school or similar practice of pedagogical character is recommended. A successful graduate of the C course becomes a APUL C license holder who is competent to teach moderately advanced to intermediate skiers of all age groups.

The C course focuses on a deeper understanding of the technical and educational concept of APUL. It focuses on skills associated with skiing techniques and teaching of parallel turns and its improvements in other variants. It deepens the knowledge of techniques and biomechanics of skiing, motion analysis and ski equipment. as well as a knowledge of foreign languages and their practical use in teaching.

The main part of the course C will consist of practical training of technique and teaching of skiing, but also continuous testing of the quality of acquired knowledge and skills. Practical workshops on and off the slope will emphasize the following key points of the course C:

• Customer service APUL.
• Deepening the knowledge of educational and technical concept of APUL.
• APUL methodical process of teaching skiing. (tuition of moderately advanced to intermediate skiers)
• Introduction to motion analysis APUL.
• Improving skiing techniques with emphasis on parallel skiing.
• Introduction to freestyle.
• Deepening knowledge of foreign language terminology in ski tuition (English, German).

• Applicant must be at least 16 years old on the opening day of the course.
• Applicant must be a holder of APUL ski “D” or SNB "C" license.
• Applicant must be a member of APUL (paid membership fee).
• Applicant must have ski instructor´s work experience.

The course is divided into a practical part on the slope and a theoretical part in the form of lectures and workshops. The daily program will be adapted to the weather and snow conditions. The course leader is responsible for editing the course program. One full day of the course is reserved for the final exams. Participation in all parts of the program is a necessary requirement for the successful completion of course C.

License APUL "C" entitles its holder to teach techniques of parallel turns and its variants, including short turns, basic freestyle or skiing steeper slopes. Ski instructor APUL "C" is also competent to teach children in the ski kindergarten and ski slopes.

Successful graduate of the course C will be competent to:

• give lessons to moderately advanced to intermediate skiers,
• demonstrate skiing techniques in parallel position of the skis,
• apply the techniques to different conditions (steeper slope, narrow slope, etc.),
• teaching children in ski kindergarten and ski on open ski trails,
• demonstrations of basic freestyle techniques on the slope,
• teaching skiing in one of the world languages ​​(English, German),
• to enter the follow-up course APUL "B".

The structure of the final examination of the course APUL ski C consists of three basic skill areas (skiing, teaching, analysis) that participate in the overall profile of the APUL ski instructor. For successful completion of the course C it is necessary to meet the requirements from all three areas at least at the level of two average points on a scale of 0 - 10 points.

1. Ski test

Ski test consist of three different runs. The set of exam runs contains a total of six elements (examples of techniques and selected elements of methodical procedure). The mandatory ride for all APUL ski courses C is a demonstration of "parallel turn (medium to long radius)". The other two will be announced by the head lecturer the day before the exam.

Set of exam rides:

1. Parallel turn (medium to long radius)

Terrain: moderately steep blue piste (beginner terrain) to gentle red piste

Criteria:

The examiner assesses each ride based on the following criteria:

• Speed ​​and radius control (fulfillment of assignment).
• Turn shape (linked S-shaped turns)
• Balanced stance (good work with dynamic balance).
• Changing direction is the result of the work of lower limbs (separation).
• Maintaining parallel ski guidance throughout the turn.
• Changing edges is accompanied with a pole plant.

Every examiner evaluates the exam run as a purported average rating of above mentioned criteria.

2. Basic turn

Terrain: very gentle blue piste (beginner terrain) to gentle blue piste.

Criteria:

The examiner assesses each ride based on the following criteria:

• Speed ​​and radius control (fulfillment of assignment).
• Turn shape (linked S-shaped turns)
• Balanced stance (good work with dynamic balance).
• Changing direction is the result of the work of lower limbs.
• The guidance of the skis (snowplow / stem christie) in the basic turn depends on the speed and the gradient of the slope.

Every examiner evaluates the exam run as a purported average rating of above mentioned criteria.

3. Stork turn

Terrain: medium blue piste (beginner terrain) to gentle red piste

Criteria:

The examiner assesses each ride based on the following criteria:

• Speed ​​and radius control.
• Turn shape (linked S-shaped turns)
• Balanced stance and good work with dynamic balance.
• The change of direction is the result of the work of the lower limbs (separation).
• The support leg is changed in the transition phase between the turns.
• The balance is maintained only on the outer ski throughout the whole turn.

Every lecturer evaluates the exam run as a purported average rating of above mentioned criteria.

4. Parallel turn (short radius)

Terrain: medium blue piste (beginner terrain) to gentle red piste

Criteria:

The examiner assesses each ride based on the following criteria:

• Speed ​​and radius control.
• Turn shape (linked S-shaped turns)
• Balanced stance and good work with dynamic balance.
• The change of direction is the result of the work of the lower limbs (separation).
• Maintaining parallel ski guidance throughout the turn.
• Changing edges is accompanied with a pole plant.

5. Skiing switch (parallel turn backwards)

Terrain: medium blue piste (beginner terrain) to gentle red piste

Criteria:

The examiner assesses each ride based on the following criteria:

• Speed ​​and radius control.
• Turn shape (linked S-shaped turns)
• Balanced stance (good work with dynamic balance).
• Maintaining parallel ski guidance throughout the turn.

Every examiner evaluates the exam run as a purported average rating of above mentioned criteria.

Assessment:

Each ride is evaluated by a three-member board of lecturers. Each examiner evaluates every single ride as the purported average rating of above criteria on a scale from 0 to 10 points. Successful completion of the examination of skiing means to obtain at least 6 points in the sum of all exam rides (minimum of 1 point, each run). A candidate who obtains less than 6 points in the sum of all runs, receives the evaluation "expectant from skiing" and the test must be repeated.

2. Exam on Teaching Technique

Ongoing practical exam is a simulated group lesson in which the candidate must demonstrate the knowledge of the correct teaching methods to teach beginner to intermediate skiers of all age groups. Each candidate will be tested three times during the course. Each exam takes about 10 minutes and will focus on:

• 1x teaching an adult,
• 1x teaching children and
• 1 topic selection (according to the draw scenario).

The practical exam takes place in Czech language.

Criteria:

The examiner assesses each demonstration of the lesson based on the following criteria:

• model lesson (understanding, mastering and applying the lesson model)
• Communication (verbal and nonverbal communication level)
• The level of customer service (Positive attitude, creating an optimal environment for learning, communication skills)
• Understanding the "Blue progression APUL" (understanding and application of methodical procedure)
• Security and pedagogical principles (Choice of terrain, providing security, organization of the group, the pace of instruction)

Assessment:

Every examiner evaluates teaching method as the purported average rating of the above mentioned criteria on a scale from 0 to 10 points. Successful completion of the exam on teaching technique means to get 2 points on average of 3 tests. The candidate who receives less than 2 points on average of 3 tests from teaching, did not meet the requirements for the successful completion of the course APUL C, and will be invited to an additional exam from teaching during the so-called exam day. If the candidate fails the supplementary exam on teaching technique, he becomes the evaluation "expectant from teaching" and the whole exam must be repeated. The candidate who receives less than 1 point on average in all three tests, did not meet course requirements and the whole course must be repeated.

3. Exam from analysis (theory):

The examination of analysis and theoretical knowledge takes the form of a test. The test contains questions related to the topics of all lectures (skiing lessons, customer service, skiing technique, biomechanics, safety, first aid, foreign language). Furthermore, the test contains questions from the analysis of skiing technique based on test questions on several videos.

Assessment:

To pass the test, it is necessary to correctly answer 75% of the test questions. If the candidate fails, he becomes the evaluation "expectant from analysis" and the whole exam must be repeated.

4. Foreign Language exam:

The Foreign Language examination is not compulsory at the “C” course. However, it is a necessary requirement for entering the next level of education, which is the APUL “B” course. Candidates can choose to take the exam in English or German.

Note .: The possibility of passing the exam in different Foreign Language than mentioned above (English, German), will be possible only after prior agreement with the course manager (Head of course) and under certain conditions.

Test procedure:

The exam in a foreign language takes the form of a colloquium (discussion) in a group of max. 3 candidates + tutor. Candidates are tested in a joint discussion of three areas:

• General knowledge of the language (General discussion lecturer-candidate, candidate-candidate with an emphasis on understanding and responsiveness)
• skiing technique (ability to professionally describe a given movement, turn or skill)
• Teaching skiing (ability to explain a particular element of progression, methodological series or analysis)

Assessment:

The knowledge of a foreign language is rated on a positive - negative scale.

• Adequate ski equipment. Appropriate size ski boots. We recommend serviced versatile ski with a radius of 14-18 m.
• Ski helmet as part of the basic equipment of each APUL instructor.
• Waterproof and warm clothing. We will spend min. 5 hours a day outside.
• Ski and sunglasses, gloves, sunscreen.
• Money for ski pass (significant discount will be arranged).
• Money for breakfast, lunch and dinner. (Or self-catering)
• Notepad and pen for making notes and information from workshops.

The basic source of information on the course C is "Blue book - APUL Ski Instruction Book" and information obtained from individual workshops.

Another source of information is APUL audiovisual materials and other publicly available materials from other international educational associations www.youtube.com.

All APUL courses are very intensive educational experience and are held in a mountain area and in all weather conditions. Therefore, they are physically and mentally demanding so it is recommended to dedicate sufficient attention to physical preparation few weeks before the course.

All participants of the APUL course are obliged to comply with the so-called "Ten Rules of conduct on the slopes." If any participant of the course will be systematically violate the rules of conduct on the slopes by his behaviour, threatening other course participants or other skiers, he will be asked to quit and leave the course.  

Since skiing is a risky sport, we recommend arranging the appropriate accident insurance in case of accident or injury. Participation in the course is voluntary and at your own risk. APUL does not bear any consequences for possible injuries.

The purpose of APUL courses and the role of the tutor, is mainly the transfer of knowledge and skills which will also be, after the course itself, a tool for training, self-education and further professional development toward follow-up APUL education.

A few tips on how to do it:

• It's good to have a training partner (or training group) who motivate each other to practice and share experience from their own practice.
• Regular video analysis is a prerequisite for systematic improvement.
• Setting a training and educational goal for the whole season will help to make the training more meaningful.
• Learning the element we are working on is a very effective tool for self-improvement.
• Every hour spent with the teacher on the course should be relevant to three hours of your own training.
• Skis must always be well prepared and serviced.
• Using other sources of information materials outside APUL can help to inspire and obtain new impulses. 

The important thing is to enjoy the process of improvement. Not only giving lessons to clients, but the self training during the season, is one of the most enjoyable parts of the profession of a ski instructor.