Re: [Paddlewise] To Roll No More

I wrote the following reply back channel to Richard concerning the "Inner" 
approach to rolling.  He thought there were some good points to it and had 
gotten similar information in some other back-channel replies.  He suggested 
I post it to the list so for what its worth:

>
 > I am sure "analysis paralysis" had a lot to do with my problems.  I am 
also a
 > former tennis instructor and a fan of the "Inner Game".  There are a couple
 > of problems with applying those principles to rolling.  One is the
 > observation problem.  Galloway emphasized a lot of visualization,
 > particullarly of a good player.  The idea was that you had already seen how
 > to do it and knew it in the subconcious.  With rolling it is very difficult
 > to watch a good roller and see what is going on since much of it is 
happening
 > underwater.  Working with someone in a clear pool is a real help here.
 > Watching from up high and from underwater is a real plus. The other problem
 > is relaxation.  Throw some salt-water in Tim's eyes, wrap a plastic bag
 > around his head so he cannot breath and then tell him you will take the bag
 > off when he hits that nice slice server that pulls the opponent off the
 > court.  Somehow visualization and relaxation just are not so easy to do in
 > that situation.  Again working in a pool with someone standing right by you
 > to pull you up if you miss helps you be able to relax (it also saves all 
that
 > time dumping water out of the boat).
 >
 > I think you are right on track about finding that one item to focus on.  I
 > thought I had mine (which was looking behind me at the end of the roll to
 > emphasze the layback).  One method of teaching is to start with the last 
part
 > of the skill and then progressively work to doing more of the whole skill 
as
 > each part is mastered.  I think this works much better since it is a lot
 > easier for the student to focus on one point of feedback.  You can teach
 > layback, bend and knee-lift without paddle, roll with paddle and body
 > perpendicular to kayak,  sweep with instructor setting up the paddle, and
 > finally student turning over boat and doing the whole thing.  Each step
 > practices the things learned in the previous steps and adds a new item.  
The
 > Young American Bowling Alliance uses this method of teaching bowling to 
kids.
 >  It is very effective and less frustrating for both instructor and student.
 > I think most rolling instructors use this method, but I have seen several
 > that just go from the bend and knee-lift without paddle step to student
 > turning over step.
 >
 > Best of luck learning to roll this summer.
  >>

If you have to work by yourself the paddle-float assist method that Matt and 
Jed talked about is great.  When I was having my problems yesterday I 
switched over to that method.  I never really felt that I was rolling 
correctly, but at least I was not spending all my time swimming and dumping 
water out of the boat. When using the float I try to judge my success by the 
amount of force I feel I am applying to the paddle.  The less force the 
better.  Its hard to quantify, but when you get the good bend and knee-lift 
you can feel how much less you pull on the paddle.

Mark J. Arnold
MJAkayaker_at_aol.com
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