Tactical aspects of successful performance in cross-country skiing: analysis of modern research and practical recommendations

Abstract

The article discusses the key aspects of tactical training in cross-country skiing based on the analysis of scientific literature and practical research. The main attention is paid to the features of tactical decisions depending on the type of distance, track relief and weather conditions. It is shown that the effectiveness of tactical actions is determined by the athlete's ability to adapt the movement technique to changing race conditions: using a simultaneous-stepless gait on the plain, switching to an alternate two-step gait on climbs and optimizing the skating gait depending on the steepness of the slope. The influence of various factors on the distribution of forces is revealed: the physiological characteristics of the athlete, the competition strategy and external conditions. Particular attention is paid to tactics in sprint races, where an important role is played by the starting stance, positional struggle and finishing sprint. Data on the differences in tactics between professional athletes and amateurs are presented, especially in marathon races. The study confirms the importance of an even distribution of forces in most competition formats, with the exception of tactical attacks on difficult sections of the track.