Ski & Fitness Glossary

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F

F.I.S.
The Fédération Internationale de Ski, (International Ski Federation) and the ruling body of international ski competition.

Fall Line
The line a snow-ball would take down a given slope - the steepest, shortest, and fastest line down any given slope.

Fan method
A more traditional method of teaching downhill turning techniques whereby the student gradually decreases their angle of approach to the fall-line with each successive attempt to produce a single turn.

Fartlek
Swedish for "speed play," a type of loosely structured interval training for runners, cyclists, and in-line skaters. It combines high-intensity segments with your regular training pace in order to build strength and speed.

Finnish step
See half skating.

Five phase
A transition from diagonal stride to a double-pole variant, this technique is achieved by resting both arms in front of the body (as in four phase), and then either double poling from this position and bringing the feet together (faster), or first striding onto one foot and then double poling and bringing the feet together.

Flat ski
A ski held parallel to the surface of the snow, with neither edge closer than the other.

Flexed
More instructor jargon for 'bent'...

Flexibility
The range of motion around a joint. This can be increased with stretching and yoga.

Flexion
Opposite of extension. Movement resulting in the bending of a leg joint.

Flow line
The line water would follow if poured down the slope.

Four phase
Also known as double-arm resting; whilst diagonal striding, the skier rests both arms in front of the body, rather than planting both poles sequentially for two push-offs.

Free weights
Weights not attached to a machine nor driven by cables or chains. Barbells and dumbbells are examples of free weights.

Freestyle
Dancing on skis. Highly recommended for improving balance and confidence. Practicing freestyle moves increases the chance of recovery in sticky situations elsewhere.

Free skating
Also known as tuck skating, or downhill skating, or speed skating, this is skating (mostly downhill, and on the flat - rarely uphill) without the use of poles, and sometimes in a tuck. The more exotic arm movements seen in the mid-1980's (such as kombi skating) are less favored these days.