S.I.M.P.L.E.

SNOWBOARD
TEACHING
Teaching Tips for the 2020-21 Season
INTRODUCTION
This short guide has been developed as part of our commitment to CASI instructors
teaching snowboarding during the uncertainty of the 2020-21 season amid COVID-19.
While we are truly encountering unprecedented times, we remain committed
to providing snowboard instructors with the tools and resources to successfully
navigate this winter season.
CASI instructors regularly create new snowboarders around the world and
contribute to the growth and development of our sport. This season should be no
exception. By adapting our approach to teaching with preparation, safety and fun in
mind, we can continue to do what we love, and provide transformative experiences
for our students safely and effectively.
CASI is committed to working with resort and snow school operators to ensure that
our training events and courses fall within the guidelines of each specific region of
Canada.

Jeff Chandler
Director of Education & Programs

www.casi-acms.com
1: FIRST IMPRESSIONS & WELCOMING
YOUR STUDENTS

• Plan ahead for arrival strategies to prevent congestion when

students arrive.
• Consider your approach to managing groups in the lesson meeting
area.
• Each individual has their own pandemic-related concerns and
levels of comfort. Be sure to consider this when meeting students.
Maintain your distance, avoid shaking hands or high-fives!
• Remember that with your face covered, some facial expressions
will be lost. Use your entire body to communicate and express
emotions, particularly with children.
• Verbal communication may be compromised due to mask usage,
and environmental factors (noise, etc.) so be sure to speak loudly
and clearly. Try to make eye contact with each student.
2: PLANNING THE LESSON & ASSESSING
YOUR STUDENTS

• Inquire about your student’s expectations, hopes, and goals for the lesson.
• Discuss your plan with your student, reminding them about any unique
protocols (masks, physical distancing).
• Set realistic goals based on the student level, lesson duration, the
conditions of the day, and other factors.
• Create an atmosphere of teamwork in the group when creating a safe
learning environment.
• Ask about their comfort level with the pandemic, and any sources for
concern or anxiety. Discuss methods for alleviating these concerns.
• Promote and facilitate self-awareness, self-management, and social
awareness to set the stage for a relaxed and fun learning environment.

Learn More: Check out the CASI Reference Guide (pages 36 - 39)
3: DURING THE LESSON:
TEACHING CONSIDERATIONS

• It’s likely you’ll be spending more time outside with less opportunity for warm-up breaks.
Emphasize the importance of proper clothing for the day’s activities.

• It may be a good idea to have extra masks or face coverings with you, not for your students, but
to replace your own in the event that it becomes wet or frozen.

• Physical distancing practices mean an increased need for students to learn independently.
Remember that this may take more time during the lesson.

• Additional repetition and mileage on easy terrain may be required for skill acquisition.

• Promote mobility and independence in your beginner lessons with the use of appropriate
strategies - more time with one foot attached, the use of learning tools and aids, etc.

• Communication skills may be challenged with face coverings. Pay attention to your verbal and
non-verbal communication skills. Practice distilling your verbal messages down to simple
words and phrases.

• Consider using hand signals (e.g.: thumb’s up / down) as a substitute for some verbal
CONT.

interactions. Ensure that you follow up non-verbal assumptions with verbal confirmations.
3: DURING THE LESSON:
TEACHING CONSIDERATIONS (CONT.)

• Check-in with your students to ensure comfort, understanding, and to preview next steps.

• With limited or no hands-on assistance, establishing key foundational skills early in the lesson
will be beneficial - using the bindings and equipment, mobility and moving around without
help, standing up unassisted, and how to independently load and ride lifts.

• Ensure that you choose terrain at the easier end of the challenge spectrum, to avoid
overwhelming students, creating the need for hands-on assistance. Use cues from students
when choosing terrain.

• Physical distancing may not always be 100% possible. If you need to be within closer proximity
to your student, ensure your face is covered. Utilize alternate strategies to give assistance such
as a foot on their snowboard to hold them in place; balance aids such as a bamboo stick or ski
pole; or brief gentle assistance with a gloved hand for stability.

Learn More: Watch the Advanced Teaching Theory video

4: MANAGING BLENDED GROUPS: TEACHING
FAMILIES & ABILITY LEVEL SPLITS

• Discuss with the group your expectation that everyone may learn at
their own pace, and you may end up in a situation where some students
progress more quickly.

• Ensure that groups understand that safety considerations require that

the terrain used in the lesson will be determined by what is safest for the
student learning at the slowest pace.

• When teaching multiple skill levels within one group, use the S.A.F.E.
approach as a lesson planning tool. Students who have progressed faster
can be given experimentation challenges, while slower students are
working through guided mileage and practice.

• Ensure that you can keep your group within the same learning area, and
within eyesight, to minimize risk.

• Take cues from families regarding family-dynamics, for example

between siblings or parents, and take steps to alleviate tensions.
To sum up, remember this season to
keep your teaching S.I.M.P.L.E.

SAFETY, INDEPENDENCE AND

MOBILITY + PERSONALIZED
LEARNING IN EASY TERRAIN.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
ONLINE UPDATE WORKSHOP
Be sure to log-in to your Member Profile at our web site, and complete the 2020-21 Online
Update. It’s a great way to update your skills and knowledge in preparation for the season.

CASI REFERENCE GUIDE

Updated for 2020! The Reference Guide will give you plenty of additional ideas around
presenting effective lessons this season.

KIDS CAN RIDE TEACHING GUIDE

Teaching kids? Be sure to download our Kids Can Ride Teaching Guide. Access it from your
Member Profile at our web site.

WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/CASIACMS
Browse our YouTube channel, where you’ll find videos to assist with course prep, skill
development, riding tips, and member news.
Copyright 2020, CASI-ACMS
WWW.CASI-ACMS.COM