Snipped everything. Lots of good stuff has been mentioned throughout this thread and I'm just going to ramble for a minute without addressing anyone in particular. I used to teach using a float on the end of the paddle but have mostly stopped (depending on the student) using that technique. I stopped using it largely because I found that it was just one more intermediate step that could be eliminated. I also found that with many students it did more to encourage bad habits rather than good. I have also seen a few shoulder injuries result from this practice. I would not recommend aggressive bracing practice using the float at all. I'm not in any way saying that this technique should be abandoned entirely, just that it may not be needed as a step on the way to rolling if you are working with a good instructor. As with most techniques the choice is situational. I do think that practicing with a float without a paddle is extremely valuable, much more so than with the float attached to the paddle. Often attaching the float to the paddle sets up an expectancy of buoyancy and support from the paddle that isn't there without the float. It takes the focus away from the torso and hip rotation that are needed for a smooth roll and encourages students to muscle up on the paddle. If you must work by yourself, than yes it is another tool in your toolbox but if you are with an instructor there are probably better methods. A good roll is committed to muscle memory. The old saying is practice makes perfect, I have heard it better said as perfect practice makes perfect. If you practice poor technique than you are perfecting poor technique and committing bad habits to muscle memory. If you had a roll and it's taken a vacation don't make bad attempt after bad attempt. Give it a rest and come back to it another day. Work on your forward stroke it always needs improvement. One drill I really like is starting students at the finishing position and winding them up (tipping them over) into the setup and then guiding them through the roll. By forcing them into the correct position and moving their body through the motion you are helping them commit good habits to memory. It is also easy for the instructor to physically correct (push, nudge, tuck, lift) the students body into proper position working this way. Sometimes it's easier to take information in small doses. Dunno if the little esoteric tips I've been tossing out in a separate thread are helpful or not. I can keep 'em coming or shut 'em off as you wish. Happy Rolling, Rob Cookson "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety" Benjamin Franklin *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Thu Jun 08 2000 - 13:02:26 PDT
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