Falling is something that nobody wants to go through, but it’s one of those things that oftentimes can’t be helped. Nowhere is this more apparent than when skiing or snowboarding. Falls come with the territory, and if you don’t want to take a few tumbles, then this type of activity simply isn’t for you.
That said, there is actually a right way and a wrong way to fall. If you feel you’re legs go out from under you, taking the proper precautions can mean the difference between a few bumps and bruises or a trip to the hospital. A new report from Outside Online outlines how to execute a proper fall, and if you’re hitting the slopes anytime soon, you might keep the advice in mind.
The first thing to realize is that tensing up is actually going to do far more harm than good. It’s hard to move your body away from this first instinct, as the natural inclination will be to clench every part of your body into some sort of a defensive stance. But moving away from this instinct is exactly what you need to do to escape a serious injury.
Keep your body loose as you fall, letting your limbs go where the momentum naturally takes them. Close your eyes if this will help you. You’re basically trying to increase the elasticity of your entire body. Think of it as a Stretch Armstrong compared to a regular action figure. The former can accommodate various strains and pulls while the latter will snap in half if pressured.
The other natural response of your body that needs to be corrected at all costs is the tendency to throw out your arms or legs in order to keep yourself from falling head over heels. All you’re doing when you do this is putting yourself more at risk. Your core is far more capable of sustaining intensive force than your arms and legs.
What you want to do instead of splaying out your limbs is to get in the habit of rolling with the fall. Cover your head so that a concussion isn’t possible, and then allow as much of your body as possible to take the brunt of the damage. Do not reach out with your feet or arms, as one snag is all it would take to cause a fracture.
Just like you don’t want to use your limbs to try to break the fall, you don’t want to use the skis themselves to do the same. If they’re still attached and you try to plant them into the ground while you fall, the sudden wrenching motion can obliterate your ACL. Instead, let your body do the stopping.