Creating lifelong technically skilled skiers is a passion for coaches of all levels. If you’re searching for resources to supplement your training, please visit Nordiq Canada to view additional development tools.
Nordiq Canada’s Athlete Development Matrix
The Athlete Development Matrix provides guidance on how to build performance factors at every stage of development. It includes specific benchmarks and standards, as well as additional resources.
The Matrix also includes recommendations for additional factors affecting performance, such as the supporting role of parents, good coaching, balance with academics and/or part-time work, financial considerations, accessible training facilities and equipment.
· Athlete development matrix resources
· Athlete development matrix technique videos
XC Ski Lab
XC Ski Lab (formerly XC Ski Nation) is your online nordic ski school. Mostly a members-only platform, XC Ski Lab partners with Nordiq Canada to offer videos, courses and drills to help you and your athletes ski faster. Sample topics include:
· Biomechanics for performance and injury prevention
· Expert demos of all techniques
· Roller skiing drills and advice
· On snow drills and lessons for skiers of all levels
· Roller skiing drills and advice
· On snow drills and lessons for skiers of all levels
Non-members can access some Open Access videos, like tutorials of kids’ games.
Nordiq Canada licensed coaches receive a 10% discount on a one-year membership. Sign-up details are provided in a confirmation email after registering for your Nordiq Canada Coaching Licence.
Dryland Training and Testing
The Athlete Development Matrix and XC Ski Lab include many dryland resources. Be sure to check the Document Centre for Run-Jump-Pull testing and roller ski resources.
Run-Jump-Pull is a very simple set of dryland tests to measure athlete fitness. The program gives athletes a set of straightforward goals to work to improve.
Roller skiing is fantastic sport-specific training for the off-season. Rollerski training can be introduced as early as Learning to Train (9-12 years).
Learning to Train (9-12 years old)
Roller skiing can be introduced at the end of this stage.
Training to Train Part 1 (12-14 years old)
Introduce athletes to roller skiing (skating to start with) by the beginning of this stage and give them enough opportunities to develop and refine their ski-specific skills in the off-season.
Training to Train Part 2 (14-16 years old)
In addition to ski striding, athletes are significantly increasing their time on roller skis during the off-season.
Learning to Compete (16-20 years old)
By now, athletes will need to roller ski a few times per week throughout the off-season and progressively increase training volume throughout the stage. By the end of the Learning to Compete stage, athletes should have acquired a High Performance level of technical skills at high intensity in all conditions.
Cross Country Nova Scotia 