In this episode, I chat with Sasha Rearick, former World Cup coach of the US ski team and head coach at Apex 2100. We explore Sasha’s innovative ecological approach to ski coaching, focusing on how athletes adapt their techniques based on environmental constraints. Sasha shares insights on regional skiing styles, the importance of separating movements like "counter" and "anticipation," and the value of embracing mistakes as part of the learning process. This conversation is packed with valuable lessons for both skiers and coaches looking to refine their techniques.

We discuss a drill Sasha likes to use called “Evers” Drill named after Andy Evers. This is a link to an Instagram video of that drill performed by AJ Ginnis https://www.instagram.com/reel/C8kpKbfoTIH/?igsh=MXczdTNnZDM3cXkweQ==

CHAPTERS:

00:00:00 introduction

00:02:11 What is the ecological approach to learning?

00:11:15 Degrees of freedom

00:18:15 Constraints and tasks for learning

00:28:11 The importance of mistakes in learning

00:31:35 Overcoming embarrassment

00:37:39 Upper and lower body separation

00:43:24 “Evers” Drill