Where is the challenge in bobsledding?

Step 1 - Line your team up. Bobsleighs are designed to carry teams of either two or four people with the person in front steering the sleigh those in back controlling the sleigh’s breaks. To get started, line your team up alongside the bobsled with the driver in front on the left and the other members behind him spaced evenly on either side of the sleigh.

Step 2 - Get a good push start. The push start is one of the most crucial stages of a bobsleigh run. Once all of the crew are lined up along the sleigh, the crew begins sprinting, pushing the bobsleigh as quickly as possible. The driver is the first to jump into the sleigh, in order to get control of the sleigh quickly, and the brakemen jump in next.

Step 3 - Steer together. The primary responsibility for steering the sleigh rests with the driver. The driver uses a system of ropes to change the angle of the front runners which then turn the sleigh. However, the brakemen and other crew need to steer with the driver by leaning into the turns. This help maintain the sleigh’s speed while steering the sleigh accurately.

Step 4 - Use the brakes as needed. Since bobsleigh is a sport that has speed as its main goal, the brakes need to be used sparingly. So, use of the breaks should not be impromptu but part of a carefully constructed plan of attack for the particular track. Map out your braking zones and then let the brakeman do the job of controlling the sleigh’s speed.