Walter & Group....
Comments on roll casting for the exam by John. My answer follows :-
Hi people,
I just have to comment on this string. What is fair is fair. When I test people, I would never think of failing a person who could not meet the technical distance requirments of the roll cast if it was being performed on a lawn (subject to what I say next). I was not aware that we expected a 50' roll on a lawn. Yes it can be done, however, while it is easy to roll cast 50 to 75' on water with tight loops, the same is not true for lawn casting. I have seen testors stand on the end of the line to simulate water. Can an applicant use a short grass leader? or how about a large wet piece of yarn? or a clip board? On a heavy lawn, the grab may be like water, however, on a shortly-newly-cut lawn, the surface is more like cememt than water. I am more interested, when testing, in the manner and extent of the rod load than the actual distance on the lawn. Are the casters required to stop the rod and line before commencing the foward stroke? If they are not required to stop the rod and line, that also makes the cast relatively easy. the Just my thoughts, John
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John,
Good thoughts.
One of the tasks as stated on the MCCI Performance test is: "Demonstrate a "shooting line roll cast" to 55' using a single haul."
Of course, you are correct in that this is much easier to do on water. More difficult on grass with variables including the density and height of the grass, and a LOT more difficult when done in a Gymnasium because of the slick floor.
I'd want the candidate to know of Al Buhr's, "grass leader" as a teaching tool. I'm not aware of any candidate using it on the test. Having to change leaders to meet the roll cast requirements takes time and shouldn't really be necessary, as I look at it.
Allowances are made for these conditions when water for testing isn't available....such as allowing the long loop on the ground behind the caster, a roll casting tool, or a person or contrivance to act as the "anchor". As I stated in my last message, avoiding the stop of the line on the back "cast" maneuver also makes it a lot easier, but many of the examiners won't accept that one because they look at that as a different cast. (Frankly, I'd expect a good candidate to be able to do it either way and to understand both methods.)
When I coach candidates, I recommend practicing both on lawns and on water, using several of these methods.
I find that most of the MCCI candidates who are well practiced, however, have no trouble making that 55' distance roll cast when using one of these methods. I look for roll cast loop control and proper application of power for a predictable layout as well as a sensible roll cast, "set-up". I do want the candidate to make the required distance whether on grass or water.
This subject has been in contention for a while. I'd welcome comments on this from other CBOG's in our Group. We feel that we would not expect a candidate, in any case, to do any roll cast that we couldn't easily perform as examiners.
Gordy