The Power of the Pole Touch with Keith Rodney

Are your poles helping you accelerate, or are they telling your skis to stop? In this episode of First Chair, host George Thomas is joined by Keith Rodney—chair of the National Children’s Task Force, US Telemark Team head coach, and multi-discipline examiner. Keith explains why we’ve moved away from the term "pole plant" in favor of the "pole touch," and how this subtle shift in vocabulary reflects a massive shift in how we move our center of mass across our skis. Keith breaks down his "Gold Standard" of the accelerating pole touch, the "Wild Pole Swing" for emergency turns, and the "Unibody" movement patterns of young children. Whether you're an alpine pro, a telemark enthusiast, or a children's specialist, this episode will change the way you look at the "two sticks" in your hands. We also tackle the age-old question: At what age should kids actually start using poles? In this episode, we discuss: - The difference between a "blocking" plant and an "accelerating" touch. - How pole angle affects the energy travel into your upper body. - The "Unibody" movement: Why 3-to-6-year-olds struggle with grip. - "Nose over Toes": Using the pole reach to find balance on steep terrain. - Telemark vs. Alpine: How pole length and the "lead change" work together. Read Keith’s full article in the Winter 2026 issue of 32 Degrees magazine.