Introduction to Course Setting

What makes a good course?

Key Setting Principles Focus on safety Set within the rules! Set with rhythm and flow Set to athlete’s abilities

Key Setting Principles Finish gates should lead to middle of finish Start and finish with even rhythm Look up and down hill when setting Set what you know, not what you think

Key Setting Principles Set With A PLAN! Goal: Bring newly learned technical skill into gates Goal: Prepare for a race on a hill with multiple fall-lines, your training hill is moderate with a single fall-line Answer for Goal 1: Set basic, rhythm, distance and offset appropriate for skills practiced Answer for Goal 2: Set changes in rhythm, move across hill with sets, vary offset and distance

What are some more course setting goals?

Setting By Discipline – USSA Alpine Officials Manual Ch 7, p. 7-8 Race courses should be set appropriate to the level of competition and are required to be set within USSA and FIS specifications regarding the # of gates, width between poles, distance between successive gates, and restrictions applied to vertical combinations.

Race courses should have some rhythm and the preferred line should be obvious. The challenge should not be in memorizing the race course but in selecting the best line in the set.

Course setters should not rely merely on complex combinations of poles, as a selection of a general line that will test a variety of normal racing skills is the first objective. Race courses should be technically challenging and the gates should require competitors to make complete turns.

A race course should have a variety of turns, with varying radii in and out of the fall line and skillful use of the terrain, especially for GS.

The final gates of a race course should lead the competitor through the center of the finish gate, and course setters should anticipate setting into the finish several gates before the end of the race course. The course setter should check to see that poles are set in firmly to the proper height.

Children’s Course Setting Rules Train to Race Ratio (strongly recommended minimum)   6:1 (days) 5:1 (days) GS/SL Race Days3 (recommended) Max. 10 Division/State organized, all events Max. 12 Division/State organized, all events Max. 14 Division/State organized, all events Max. 18 Division/State organized, all events Downhill (DH) U1253 Distance between gates 1 X 50 m max. As required Vertical drop 350 m max 450 m max Direction changes 8% of vertical drop Slalom (SL) U1254 Combination 4-5 m, Open 5-9 m, Delay max. 15 m, distance to delay gate min. 4 m Combination 4-6 m, Open 6-10 m, Delay max. 15 m Combination 4-6 m, Open 6-12 m, Delay max 18 m Max. 100 m Max. 120 m Max. 140 m Max. 160 m Additional requirements Max. 3 hairpins, max. 1 vertical combination, max. 1 delay gate 2-3 hairpins, 1 vertical combination Max. 1 delay gate 3-5 hairpins, 1-2 vertical combinations and at least 1 delay gate Giant Slalom (GS) U1255 Open 15-22 m, Delay max. 30 m Open 15-25 m, Delay max. 35 m Open 15-27 m, Delay max. 35 m Max. 200 m Max. 250 m Max. 300 m Max. 350 m Min. of 1 delay Variety of terrain suggested Variety in terrain is suggested Super G (SG) U1256 22-35 m 25-40 m 25-45 m Max. 450 m Min. 12% of vertical drop 8-12% of vertical drop 2 8-12% of vertical drop Min. of 1 jump Training run required (U1256.4) Training run recommended (U1003.2.1) Parallel 10-15 m 15-20 m Maximum vertical drop 60 m 100 m Kombi - SL/GS U1259 SL 6-10 m, GS 12-20 m 150 m 180 m (SL skis) 200 m (SL skis) Kombi - GS/SG U1259 GS 12-20 m, SG 18-28 m 250 m (GS skis) Other Events All of above plus SkillsQuest events All of the above plus combined and SkillsQuest events Ski Recommendation - Maximum (strongly recommended) 1 pair - Multi-event 2 pair - SL, GS 3 pair - SL, GS, SG SL, GS, SG, DH Length - skill/size appropriate

Slalom USSA ACR 802.1.2-802.1.3 “The ideal SL course must include a series of turns designed to allow the competitors to combine speed with neat execution and precision of turns. The SL should permit the rapid completion of all turns. The course should not require acrobatics incompatible with normal ski technique…” Rapid completion of turns consideration – average time per turn for World Cup male skier 2009/10 season was 0.852 seconds

Slalom USSA ACR 802.1.2-802.1.3 “It should be a technically clever composition of figures suited to the terrain, linked by single and multiple gates, allowing a fluent run, but testing the widest variety of ski technique, including changes of direction with very different radii. Gates should never be set only down the fall line, but so that some full turns are required, interspersed with traverses.”

START Single Pole Slalom First gate has outside pole Single pole First gate out of the start is set with an outside pole. Where there is an outside pole (first and last gate, delay gate and combinations – hairpin, vertical art. 661.4.1 is valid. Single pole

Single Pole Slalom FINISH Single pole Single pole Last gate has outside pole FINISH Last gate prior to FINISH is set with an outside pole Where there is an outside pole (first and last gate, delay gate and combinations – hairpin, vertical art. 661.4.1 is valid.

Delay Single pole Delay has an outside pole Single pole Single pole slalom with a delay is set with 2 poles. Where there is an outside pole (first and last gate, delay gate and combinations – hairpin, vertical art. 661.4.1 is valid.

Hairpin Single pole Hairpin has two poles Single pole Hairpins and flushes are set with 2 poles per gate. Where there is an outside pole (first and last gate, delay gate and combinations – hairpin, vertical art. 661.4.1 is valid.

Flush Single pole Single pole Hairpins and flushes are set with 2 poles per gate. Where there is an outside pole (first and last gate, delay gate and combinations – hairpin, vertical art. 661.4.1 is valid.

Slalom Single Pole Where there is no outside pole, both feet and ski tips must have passed the turning pole on the same side, following the natural race line of the SL. If the racer has not correctly passed the imaginary line from turning pole to turning pole and does not follow the natural race line, then he has to climb back up and pass around the missed turning pole (804.3).

Slalom Distances Vertical combinations 4-6 meters U10 4-5m 0.75m-1m between gates Delays 6 meters to delay gate U10 4m 12-18 meters from turning pole to turning pole U14/U12/U10 max 15m World Cup trends: Average distances 9-10m, haven’t seen over 12m in years and not often over 10m. Combinations are rarely set at 6m, generally 5-5.5m. More frequent into-combinations, multiple combinations in a row. For Juniors – FIS races, set 10m or less on average, don’t always max distance in combinations U14 & under – Set 10m or less, don’t be afraid to go down to 7-8m for sections, combos accordingly can be less than 6m, since tactics is less of a focus here we don’t encourage confusing gate combinations or intos for race sets, though they should be practiced on occasion U14 & under use stubbies, brushes, short gates to accomplish proper technique in courses TRAINING – set a greater range for adaptability; COMPETITION – set to age-appropriate norms

Slalom Distances Open gates 13m max for FIS and U18 & older USSA Gate count (turns) 30-35% of vertical drop Normal distances 9-11m Children’s rules – open gates U10: 5-9m U12/U14: 6-10m U16: 6-12m World Cup trends: Average distances 9-10m, haven’t seen over 12m in years and not often over 10m. Combinations are rarely set at 6m, generally 5-5.5m. More frequent into-combinations, multiple combinations in a row. For Juniors – FIS races, set 10m or less on average, don’t always max distance in combinations U14 & under – Set 10m or less, don’t be afraid to go down to 7-8m for sections, combos accordingly can be less than 6m, since tactics is less of a focus here we don’t encourage confusing gate combinations or intos for race sets, though they should be practiced on occasion U14 & under use stubbies, brushes, short gates to accomplish proper technique in courses TRAINING – set a greater range for adaptability; COMPETITION – set to age-appropriate norms

Additional Requirements Children’s rules U10: Up to 3 hairpins, up to 1 flush, up to 1 delay U12: 2-3 hairpins, 1 flush, up to 1 delay U14/U16: 3-5 hairpins, 1-2 flushes, at least 1 delay USSA scored/FIS At least 3 hairpins, 1-3 flushes, 1-3 delays World Cup trends: Average distances 9-10m, haven’t seen over 12m in years and not often over 10m. Combinations are rarely set at 6m, generally 5-5.5m. More frequent into-combinations, multiple combinations in a row. For Juniors – FIS races, set 10m or less on average, don’t always max distance in combinations U14 & under – Set 10m or less, don’t be afraid to go down to 7-8m for sections, combos accordingly can be less than 6m, since tactics is less of a focus here we don’t encourage confusing gate combinations or intos for race sets, though they should be practiced on occasion U14 & under use stubbies, brushes, short gates to accomplish proper technique in courses TRAINING – set a greater range for adaptability; COMPETITION – set to age-appropriate norms

Slalom gates Brushes Stubbies Youth gates 25mm or 27mm diameter 54” or 60” shaft length Full-size gates USSA 27mm diameter, 69” shaft length FIS 30 or 31mm diameter, 69” shaft length

Giant Slalom USSA ACR 902-903 “The terrain should preferably be undulating and hilly. The skillful use of the ground when setting GS is more important than for a SL, since combinations play a less important role owing to the prescribed width of the gates and the greater distances between them. It is therefore better to set mainly single gates, while exploiting the ground to the utmost.”

Giant Slalom USSA ACR 902-903 “A GS consists of a variety of long, medium and small turns. The competitor should be free to choose his own line between the gates. The full width of a hill should be used wherever possible.” Full width is a good rule of thumb, but if multiple courses are being set on the hill for the race, courses should be set such that there will not be unnecessary crossing of ruts – set generally within a lane

GS Single Pole Same slide as previous only now GS. Explain how a “normal” (2 poles/gate) GS works for gate passage. Then explain the gate passage with the “natural race line”.

Slalom Single pole SL Delays Flushes Trends World Cup J3/J4 suggestions Distance, rhythm, length Stubbies, brushes, J4/J5 gates World Cup trends: Average distances 9-10m, haven’t seen over 12m in years and not often over 10m. Combinations are rarely set at 6m, generally 5-5.5m. More frequent into-combinations, multiple combinations in a row. For Juniors – FIS races, set 10m or less on average, don’t always max distance in combinations U14 & under – Set 10m or less, don’t be afraid to go down to 7-8m for sections, combos accordingly can be less than 6m, since tactics is less of a focus here we don’t encourage confusing gate combinations or intos for race sets, though they should be practiced on occasion U14 & under use stubbies, brushes, short gates to accomplish proper technique in courses TRAINING – set a greater range for adaptability; COMPETITION – set to age-appropriate norms

Delay Same slide as previous only now GS. Explain how a “normal” (2 poles/gate) GS works for gate passage. Then explain the gate passage with the “natural race line”.

Giant Slalom Distances USSA scored/FIS Minimum 10 meters, no max Total number of gates (turns) 11-15% of vertical drop Children’s rules U10/U12: 15-22m (open) U14: 15-25m (open) U16: 15-27m (open) U10/U12: Delay max of 30m U14/U16: Delay max of 35m Minimum of one delay World Cup trends: Average distances 9-10m, haven’t seen over 12m in years and not often over 10m. Combinations are rarely set at 6m, generally 5-5.5m. More frequent into-combinations, multiple combinations in a row. For Juniors – FIS races, set 10m or less on average, don’t always max distance in combinations U14 & under – Set 10m or less, don’t be afraid to go down to 7-8m for sections, combos accordingly can be less than 6m, since tactics is less of a focus here we don’t encourage confusing gate combinations or intos for race sets, though they should be practiced on occasion U14 & under use stubbies, brushes, short gates to accomplish proper technique in courses TRAINING – set a greater range for adaptability; COMPETITION – set to age-appropriate norms

Kombi USSA ACR U1259 “The children’s Kombi consists of a mixture of standard turns and gates. The event meets developmental needs for children, creating a tactical awareness by blending sections of different gates in a flowing, rhythmical, constantly changing pattern…The course should test the skier’s ability to react and adapt to an ever changing rhythm and radius, but allow the competitors smooth transition between the various sections of gates.”

Kombi Rules Include a minimum of one jump Use the entire slope and natural terrain, skiing across the fall line as often as possible Gates may consist of one or two poles Recommended to have 3-5 different sections One section should consist of stubby gates

Kombi Distances SL/GS Kombi U10-U16 SL 6-10m GS 12-20m SL skis should be used GS/SG Kombi U12-U16 SG 18-28m GS skis should be used

Super G USSA ACR 1003 “It is recommended to set the gates to make the best use of the terrain. A SG should contain a variety of long and medium turns. The competitor should be absolutely free to choose his own line between the gates. It is not permitted to set only down the fall-line of the slope. Where the terrain allows it jumps may be set.”

Super G Seek more learning, opportunities Start gradual – progression Familiarity of hill Importance of flow Set to security installations in place Factor the physical and psychological characteristics of the athletes SG for young skiers (U12-U16) should emphasize longer turns, and terrain. Safe jumps (upper part of course, not tactically challenging, steep landing, no uphill takeoffs) should be encouraged. Speeds not all that high – consider skis they are on

Corridor Same slide as previous only now GS. Explain how a “normal” (2 poles/gate) GS works for gate passage. Then explain the gate passage with the “natural race line”.

Super G Rules USSA scored/FIS Minimum 25m between turning poles (no max) Minimum 15m between gates in corridor Minimum number of direction changes: 7% of vertical drop USSA Children’s rules U12: 22-35m between turns, min 12% of VD U14: 25-40m between turns, 8-12% of VD* U16: 25-45m between turns, 8-12% of VD U14/U16: Should have a jump

Downhill USSA ACR 702-703 “A DH is characterized by the five components of technique, courage, speed, risk, and conditioning…Before difficult jumps and difficult passages the speed should be controlled by appropriate course setting where possible.”

Mix it up! Adjustment tools for the course setter: Vary offset Vary vertical distance Set a delay Set a combination Possible challenges: Thin snow/rock in line Rotten snow Accidentally set 2 gates in a row of the same color Have participants rehearse on a whiteboard or flip chart

Environmental factors Terrain Use it, if you don’t have it, simulate it For less experienced skiers, terrain should be in transition between turns Control speed before a breakover rather than after Caution – turns in compression Talk about strategies to control speed around terrain

Environmental factors Course length Gate count issues flat venue vs. steep venue Alpine Training System – factors by age Long hill vs short hill Snow conditions Soft snow Ice Cross ruts Accumulating snow in the venue Reminder that gate count is no longer an issue for non-scored events, just must stay within new maximums for distance between gates Course length recommendations by age are explained in the Alpine Training System course setting recommendations handout Snow condition variables: Soft snow – set rhythmic and control speed Ice – use sufficient offset to control speed, pay particular attention to fall zones Cross ruts – avoid setting such that skier line crosses ruts in a perpendicular way at a point of pressuring in the turn Accumulating snow – keep resets within the track, move slightly uphill, not downhill within track to keep berms from getting into low line

Environmental factors Weather/visibility Foggy, heavy precipitation Sun to shade considerations Safety & obstacles Safety available dictates your set – your set plan doesn’t trump safety and time factors End courses high enough for plenty of finish room Setting around lift towers, tree islands, etc.

Safety systems Where are the fall zones? Purpose for fencing Setting B-net in a system Space Maintenance Coaches are responsible for the protection on the hill for training and in races. With the possible exception of very young children, B-nets must be set in a system to work (2 nets interconnected, or weaved net for obstacle like tower).

Additional considerations Different gate options Setting outside of range for a training purpose Duals/Parallel Course setting and the race jury In order to set at a USSA race, you must be a current USSA coach member and a current certified referee

Competition Setting Plan Junior Championship qualifier Open council race First race of the year Championship race Jr Champ qualifier: suggestion to set technically challenging, but not tactically confusing, particularly for J4/J3, focus on technical skills; high finish rate but challenging course; set for the level of skier who will be at the bubble for qualification Open council race: Set to middle of field, reasonable technical challenge, fairly basic tactically First race of year: Similar, test technique over tactics considering mileage in gates Championship race: Technically challenging, tactically challenging without being “gadgety”, think rhythm changes but still good flow and good finish rate, set for more of the top of the field

Review How many gates are in a flush? What is the maximum distance between open SL gates? How far apart are gates in a hairpin? What is the minimum distance between a delay gate and the turning pole above it in SL? In GS? In SG? What is the maximum distance between gates in GS? How is a Kombi set? Max SL distance: 13m scored races, 12m U16, 10m U14/U12, 9m U10 Gates in hairpin: 0.75 to 1m between gates, 4-6m between poles in a gate (except U10’s 4-5m) Min distance to delay gate: SL 6m, GS 10m, SG 15m (except U10 SL 4m) Max distance in GS: None in scored events (must meet gate count requirements for hill), 27m for U16, 25m for U14, 22m for U12 & under

Review How might you adjust your course set for very soft snow? What is your most important consideration when setting a course? What are the different gates you can use? What member of the race jury can change the course set?

Level 200 Next step is Level 200 clinic. We re-aligned these clinics so that candidates can go into the Level 200 with some course setting experience, so they will be more ready to learn how to set the drill courses and training aids covered at this clinic. Clinic is 3 days and covers skiing fundamentals in gates to include tactics.

Questions?