How tough to switch feet for slalom?

[Age Fighter]

I have slalomed for about 5 seasons -- and not that well frankly. It has always been more comfortable to put my right foot forward.

However, I am seven days into the "Insanity" work out program, and it has exposed to me that my right leg is far less flexible, not as strong -- and not as balanced as my left leg. This results I assume from a combination of three injuries over the years (knee, ankle, hip, all on right side). All are healed now, but that leg is just not as reliable.

So, how hard is it to switch legs on slalom?

[JohnE]

I have slalomed for about 5 seasons -- and not that well frankly. It has always been more comfortable to put my right foot forward.

However, I am seven days into the "Insanity" work out program, and it has exposed to me that my right leg is far less flexible, not as strong -- and not as balanced as my left leg. This results I assume from a combination of three injuries over the years (knee, ankle, hip, all on right side). All are healed now, but that leg is just not as reliable.

So, how hard is it to switch legs on slalom?

I seriously doubt I could switch. But I have a good friend who used to be LFF and switched due to an injury and he fairly quickly became as good RFF as he was LFF. So, let us know.....

[cbryan70]

I used to ski goofy.....then switched over to LFF. Was not a big issue for me. I can still switch back and forth

[Jorski]

I would just try to strengthen the right leg, and stick with the way that you regularly ski.

[ahhudgins]

I would just try to strengthen the right leg, and stick with the way that you regularly ski.

I don’t think I could switch feet, I ski RFF. I was always told that your strongest leg is in the back. Is this correct? It seems to hold true in my situation. I had knee surgery about 7 years ago on my right knee and it’s a whole lot weaker and less stable than my left. When I cross the wakes barefoot I can do it one foot on my left foot, but not my right. The doctor told me to always work each leg individually at the gym because my stronger knee will always try to do most of the work. It’s funny how some people can switch back and forth.

[JMann]

I can switch back and forth. Sometimes early in the year I will forget which foot I like to put forward make a pass then realize I think it's wrong and switch. Sometimes I had it right and sometimes I needed to switch. I definately ski better with my LFF but can get up and carve either way.
I think you will adapt fairly quickly.

[Age Fighter]

A couple things: I am 6-3 and about 215 to 220. Getting up is a challenge sometimes due to my size and -- thanks to what this workout has exposed -- some strength and balance issues on my right side in the deeper positions of that leg and hip.

I am hoping that the starts will be much easier on the other leg -- and therefore fatigue me a lot less.

[h2oskifreak]

I can do most things right or left handed (golf, baseball, eat...) but I think I would have a hard time changing. I was taught that the foot forward is the one you would kick a ball with. I have also heard the one you would step with if someone pushed you from behind. The kick rule is true for me, but I would "step" with either. 6'3 215-220 isn't that big that getting up should be an issue, especially with a mc boat. The workout with out a doubt will help, fitness is key in this sport, especially back and abs. Good luck whatever you deceide to do.

[JohnE]

I think the answer is on the lake. We can't answer. I know I couldn't switch feet easily if at all. I can't even board with my RFF. Not that I board well at all. But I gotta figure that boarding with the other foot forward has to be easier than skiing that way.

[coz]

Goofy foot= Right foot foward.......Natural foot= Left foot foward not RFF or LFF :confused:

[JohnE]

Goofy foot= Right foot foward.......Natural foot= Left foot foward not RFF or LFF :confused:

I'm not sure what you are saying...or asking....

[93Prostar190]

Congrats on doing Insanity ... I am just into the 2nd month myself ..... love it.

Switching feet ... give it a try ....... we always used to use the stand behind someone trick when learning to slalom. If someone behind you gives you a shove which foot do you put forward to catch your balance?

I tend to be less flexible with my left leg and that is my forward leg when I slalom. Lucky that I havbe avoided injury over the years ...

Go luck.

[JMann]

What is this insanity workout you guys are talking about?

[93Prostar190]

You may have heard of P90X on all those info-mercials ... well the same company released an other workout last year called Insanity. It is a 60 day boot camp built on the concept of Interval (Max) training. The trainer is Shaun-T is the guy from Hip Hop Abs (don't laugh .. I haven't done that one) but Insanity is the real deal .... he is a former track guy and the workouts are 6 days a week and very cardio intense. I personally like it and have done P90X ... I plan on blending the 2 workouts in my next phase, but I need to get through Insanity first. Goto www.beachbody.com if you want to learn more.

[YTW]

I was always told that your strongest leg is in the back.

Funny how we are taught different. I was taught to put the strongest leg in the front. I'm sure that was because I learned to ski behind an underpowered boat, and was told to let my other leg just hang until I was up on top of the water. After 30+ years of deep water starts using this tecnique, I finally bought a ski with double boot bindings last year which has forced me to get up with both feet in (still strongest leg up front). However, I do wakeboard with the stong leg in the back.

[06197ttlq9-footer]

If I were you I would find a pair of combos, switch the double to the left foot and give it a try. Solves your problem getting up and you can just drop the right when you are ready. No need to rip it right out of the box. Better yet just loose the ski's all together and just FOOT! :) peace Wade

[Jorski]

A couple things: I am 6-3 and about 215 to 220. Getting up is a challenge sometimes due to my size and -- thanks to what this workout has exposed -- some strength and balance issues on my right side in the deeper positions of that leg and hip.
I am hoping that the starts will be much easier on the other leg -- and therefore fatigue me a lot less.

Agefighter, I hear y'a....a couple of thoughts, are you starting with one foot or two in the binders? If you are using one foot, you might find that a two foot start alleviates much of your problem:

1) I would try a wide ski...it will definitely make starting a lot easier

and

2) For a two foot start (if that's what you are doing): Sounds like a little improvement in technique would help. I am in about the same weight range as you...If you stay low, in a tight ball, you don't really use much leg strength. You should be in a relaxed position, arms straight, knees and ankles bent, so that your knees come up to your chest and your butt is pretty much resting on your ankles....I can't really get my ankles easily to my butt while floating in the water, but as the rope starts to pull with the boat just in gear, the water pressure on the ski moves my feet into the correct position. If you stay relaxed, (as opposed to tense and resisting the pull) you come up with very little effort.

As for the relative strength of right vs left and which foot is in front, as you come up you should have your weight fairly even between the front foot and the back foot.

[Age Fighter]

Agefighter, I hear y'a....a couple of thoughts, are you starting with one foot or two in the binders? If you are using one foot, you might find that a two foot start alleviates much of your problem:

1) I would try a wide ski...it will definitely make starting a lot easier

and

2) For a two foot start (if that's what you are doing): Sounds like a little improvement in technique would help. I am in about the same weight range as you...If you stay low, in a tight ball, you don't really use much leg strength. You should be in a relaxed position, arms straight, knees and ankles bent, so that your knees come up to your chest and your butt is pretty much resting on your ankles....I can't really get my ankles easily to my butt while floating in the water, but as the rope starts to pull with the boat just in gear, the water pressure on the ski moves my feet into the correct position. If you stay relaxed, (as opposed to tense and resisting the pull) you come up with very little effort.

As for the relative strength of right vs left and which foot is in front, as you come up you should have your weight fairly even between the front foot and the back foot.

I have tried one and two foot starts -- and one foot seems to work best so far. As for your technique, the 3 injuries (hip, knee, ankle) have really hurt my flex in that one leg and the balance. The flex problems make the technique hard to get into correctly. The injuries happened over a period of 15 years and I never realized (til Insanity work out) just how bad the flex and balance issues were compared to my other leg.

[CruisinGA]

You may have heard of P90X on all those info-mercials ... well the same company released an other workout last year called Insanity. It is a 60 day boot camp built on the concept of Interval (Max) training. The trainer is Shaun-T is the guy from Hip Hop Abs (don't laugh .. I haven't done that one) but Insanity is the real deal .... he is a former track guy and the workouts are 6 days a week and very cardio intense. I personally like it and have done P90X ... I plan on blending the 2 workouts in my next phase, but I need to get through Insanity first. Goto www.beachbody.com if you want to learn more.

I'm in week 10 of P90. Started it in January to get ready for this season. Got frustrated last season with lack of strength holding me back.

Rode better or as well the first time out this season as the last time last season despite the months in between due to being in better shape.

I highly recommend it!

[coz]

I'm not sure what you are saying...or asking....

Oh yeah! sorry John, I should have been more specific.

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm258/cozaz/Wakeboarding/022-1.jpg