Hockey Stop
A Hockey Stop is a fundamental skiing technique where a skier quickly turns their skis sideways to come to a complete stop, similar to how hockey players stop on ice. This is an essential skill that all ski instructors must master and be able to teach. It's considered more advanced than the basic "pizza" or wedge stop, and demonstrates better control and technique. When this term appears on a resume, it often indicates that the candidate has achieved a certain level of skiing proficiency and can teach this important safety and control technique to others.
Examples in Resumes
Taught beginner and intermediate students proper Hockey Stop technique
Certified to instruct advanced maneuvers including Hockey Stop and parallel turns
Developed learning progression for teaching Hockey Stop to children aged 8-12
Typical job title: "Ski Instructors"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Ski Instructors
Professional Organizations
Job Boards
Online Communities
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you develop a progression to teach Hockey Stop to a group of mixed-ability students?
Expected Answer: A senior instructor should explain breaking down the skill into manageable steps, adapting teaching methods for different learning styles, and maintaining group engagement while addressing individual needs.
Q: What safety considerations do you emphasize when teaching Hockey Stop?
Expected Answer: Should discuss terrain selection, speed control, proper spacing between students, checking for uphill traffic, and how to prevent common injuries during practice.
Mid Level Questions
Q: How do you correct common mistakes in Hockey Stop execution?
Expected Answer: Should be able to identify typical errors like leaning too far back, not completing the turn, or incorrect weight distribution, and provide clear solutions for each.
Q: What terrain do you choose for teaching Hockey Stop and why?
Expected Answer: Should explain selection of appropriate slope grade, snow conditions, and traffic patterns that create an ideal learning environment for this skill.
Junior Level Questions
Q: Demonstrate your understanding of Hockey Stop mechanics.
Expected Answer: Should be able to explain the basic body movements, weight transfer, and ski positioning required for a successful hockey stop in simple terms.
Q: How do you explain Hockey Stop to a beginner?
Expected Answer: Should provide clear, simple explanations using relatable analogies and break down the movement into basic steps that beginners can understand.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-1 seasons)
- Can perform and explain basic Hockey Stop
- Teaches beginner lessons
- Basic safety awareness
- Understanding of fundamental skiing techniques
Mid (2-4 seasons)
- Confident teaching Hockey Stop to all skill levels
- Can demonstrate on varied terrain
- Effective group management
- Advanced technical knowledge
Senior (5+ seasons)
- Expert level teaching methodology
- Can train other instructors
- Advanced certification levels
- Program development experience
Red Flags to Watch For
- Unable to demonstrate Hockey Stop personally
- Lack of safety awareness
- No formal ski instruction certification
- Poor communication skills
- Limited knowledge of teaching progressions
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