Doubles coordination in luge: how top and bottom rider steer without words, what reports say, and why this grows only with a coach, partner and track.
The honest answer: In doubles two bodies steer one sled, and they do it without words. At that speed there is no time for calls before a corner. The bottom rider orients himself on his partner's shoulders and head: when the top rider leans into the corner, that is the signal [1]. It is also reported that the bottom rider recognises how the head of the upper rider tilts while steering [2].
And here is the part almost nobody tells you up front: there is no study on coordination in doubles. Everything we know comes from reports by riders in newspapers and from federation descriptions. Luge Canada describes steering as "subtle movements of the shoulders, legs and hands" [3]; newspaper reports from interviews with doubles riders add the roles [1][2]. We therefore cannot say anything about the right coordination, only what riders themselves describe. We give no copy-it instructions.
From the reports it follows: the top rider sees the track and carries more of the control. He sits higher, sees over the low walls of the corners, and is fastened to the sled [1]. The bottom rider sees hardly anything and has to "feel the sled and the track more"; for him visualising is particularly important [1]. Both travel up to 150 kilometres per hour [3], and top speeds are, according to a review, about 135 to 150 kilometres per hour for men and 130 to 145 for women [4].
Realistically: this is a pro skill with high risk. The coordination grows over years, with the same partner and the same tracks. The transition was hard for riders who switch from singles: "it's a lot of hard crashes when you're still figuring it out," said one rider [1].
Clarify together with the coach who sits on top and who at the bottom. The sled is built for the bottom rider because he has contact with the sled [5]. Both know the task of the other.
Milestone: Both describe the partner's role in their own words.
Walk the track together on foot and then ride it in your heads. For the bottom rider visualising is particularly important [1].
Milestone: Both ride the same corner in their heads on the same line.
Discuss with the coach which body signals the top rider gives (head, shoulders) and how the bottom rider reads them [1][2]. The signal comes before the corner, not only in the corner.
Milestone: You can name which signal stands for what without anyone asking.
The first runs begin low on the track, with supervision and minimal steering. Both concentrate on the coordination, not on speed.
Milestone: You arrive at the finish without hitting the wall, and both recognised the signals.
Watch video and split times. Where did the signals diverge? Where was the coordination good? Plus the riders' experience: with more knowledge of the track and experience the confidence grows [1].
Milestone: You name at two places what you did together.
After each run do a short review with three sentences each: "This is what I saw. This is what I did. This is what I needed." Both riders speak. The reports show that the coordination works without words [1], but the review afterwards is the place where you may use words. That is coaching practice.
Together, without words. The bottom rider orients himself on the head and shoulders of his partner [1][2]. The steering itself happens through subtle movements of shoulders, legs and hands [3].
The top rider sees the track and over the low walls of the corners, the bottom rider hardly sees anything [1][2].
There is no reliable figure. One rider reported that the first years involved hard crashes until it fit [1].
Top speeds are, according to a review, about 135 to 150 kilometres per hour for men and 130 to 145 for women [4].
No. You learn it only in a club with a coach and a track.