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[GH]
Q: "How do you teach" ?
The answers to Jim Bass' 4 questions will form at least part of the answer to the Q, above. It was taken from the list of sample questions in one edition of the Master Prep. Guide. As I mentioned, yesterday, this can apply broadly to how the candidate teaches in general or can be applied as the examiner applies it when he asks the candidate on either the oral or casting part of the exam how he would teach a particular task.
Let's see how you would answer Jim's questions :
1. Do any of you use visualization when teaching?
2. Of any who may, how do you use it?
3. Do you feel it is helpful?
4. When do you use it?
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[GH] From Jim Penrod :
Hi Gordy,
I was particularly interested in JimBass' question about visualization as it took me back many years to my career in gymnastics. More than one time there was a move that I just could not do despite watching others and being told what to do but if I closed my eyes and imagined myself doing it and seeing in my mind's eye just what I had to do and forgetting about do this or do that and just following that "vision" the move became second nature. I have used this technique with individuals who were particularly analytical and breaking a cast into far too many parts. I find it quite useful and sometimes have to remind myself that it is still a useful technique for me even today.
Jim
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[GH] Jim,
1. Yes. I use it as you did for self teaching. I also use it when teaching fly casting to others.
2. When self teaching, I'll sometimes go over my casting issue or problem an night with closed eyes. I can visualize the movements and anticipated results as I doze off. When morning comes I'll have conjured up some solutions .... then I go out and try them. One of them often works.
When teaching new students to fly cast, I use Jim Valle's method of having the student move the fly rod about with eyes closed....just concentrating on the feel of its resistance to application of power in different ways; first with no line - then with about 20' of line out of the rod tip. *
As I coach more advanced casters to eliminate a fault which has to do with application of force, I find it helps many of them to learn the "cure" first by using all the senses including sight. Then I have them do it with eyes closed. Occasionally, I've had success doing this as I teach in the evening as it gets harder and harder to see. (Fly fishers who fish at night get good at casting by "feel".) The subconscious kicks in as they do it without having to think about it. **
3. Yes, I feel it can help a great deal.
4. a. Self teaching
b. Teaching new casters.
c. Coaching more advanced casters. Especially those who tend to go back to a particular fault after having once learned how to avoid it. Helpful cure for recidivism.
Gordy
(To read the articles referenced, below, simply click on the blue links.)
*Spring 2007 Line Control - Feeling It by Jim Valle (Click on the blue "Spring 2007 to see the whole article.)
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[GH] From Jim Chestnut :
Gordy,
That was a very good description on visualization and "feelization". Of
the two, I think "feelization" is the most important for most sports
activities.
Tennis players after a hitting a ball out of bounds long, nearly always
physically mimic the shot again, without a ball, using more top spin. Pro
baseball batters, golfers do the same after a poor shot or awkward swing.
All are shaking off the bad stroke and "re-feelizing" what they had meant
to do - a sort of immediate short refresher course for their muscle
memory.
Whenever I'm helping people, when they execute a good smooth crisp stroke,
with rod, bat, racket or club I involuntarily shout out "Ya, feel that?" -
sometimes so excitedly it startles them - especially the kids. But followed
by a quick "THAAAT's the WAY", their enthusiasm jumps way up. If I can get
them to the point where they can "feel the feel" , then they can practice
to good effect on their own.
Before they leave, when talking with them about how they are doing and
suggesting things to work on, I always tell them to start slow and go for
that "feel" - the feel is what it's about, not the distance. And if they
lose it, to back up, cut back on the power, shorten the stride or the
stroke, slow down the ball machine or whatever until they get the "feel"
back.
Keep practice sessions short and fun. And always end the day on a good
cast, hit, or shot - even if it is a short one.
Cheers,
Jim
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[GH] Jim & Jim,
"feelization", "re-feelizing" ..... Word-smithery !
While neither of you answered jim's questions directly, I think you meant to use visualization as you teach fly casting as well as gymnastics and tennis.
I think visualization techniques are useful additions to our teaching "bag of tricks".
So many times, a student will tell us that the cast "felt good" or that, "I could feel the rod bend".
Joan Wulff wrote, "Is That Dancin' ?" ..." 'Mechanics' is a word at odds with the beautiful form and feeling of fly casting......." *
* Joan Wulff's FLY CASTING TECHNIQUES, by Joan Wulff, 1987, p. 49.
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