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Walter & Group...
[GH] On changing casting planes for Task 1 from Phil Gay :
Gordy,
In response to John Bilotta's question I would say yes. At whatever plane you start task one I would personally expect you to stay in that plane throughout. Would changing planes be a failing event. No! But I would certainly ask why they felt the need to change planes on such a simply task.
In the interest of full disclosure John is a candidate who I have been mentoring!
Phil
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[GH] From Pat Blackwell,
Hi Gordy,
After reading Shaun's message I remember this quote I recently read, I believe it would apply to casting especially when thinking KISS. The thread is wonderful, the replies have offered some real incite into preparing for the MCI test.
Regards
Pat Blackwell
"If you can't explain it to a six year old, you don't understand it yourself."
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[GH] On watching your back cast, from Troy Miller :
Hi Gordy --
I guess my only remaining question pertains to all exam tasks. That is, how does watching a backcast indicate any sort of weakness on the part of the caster? After all, how many times have we all said that the backcast is the foundation that the forward cast is made from…? Let me give you an example I use in my classes, when the inevitable subject of Watching Backcasts comes up.
I consider NASCAR drivers to be among the world’s elite drivers. They can do things with an automobile that few drivers are capable of. But they drive with concentration, eyes wide open for hours and hours on end. WHY? Because conditions are constantly changing and they rely on visual feedback to optimize their performance. Every lap they make around the oval is almost the same, but not. The position of cars will be different every lap. Pockets of more dense and less dense air move around the track. Tires wear. The sun comes out or goes under clouds. The track heats up or cools down. The suspension loosens. And a thousand other variables.
Such is our flycasting. Every loop is almost the same, but not. Conditions constantly change for us. I know that you’re thinking of some of those variables right now, aren’t you? Not looking at your backcast while you’re practicing is like driving with your eyes closed for half of the race. No matter how good you are, you can use visual feedback to make your performance even better if you open your eyes. Obviously, we can’t allow unwanted bodily movements creep in and upset our casting form. Rotating from the hips or lumbar spine is the usual culprit when casters don’t watch for it.
I actually have a segment in my distance casting lesson plan where I go through “How to Watch Your Backcast Without Affecting SLP”. It’s mainly about two things. The first is stance. I teach an open stance for those who wish to watch their backcast, which works well to minimize trunk rotation. The only rotation required is in the neck and the eyeballs themselves. Secondly, it’s about developing a sense of knowing exactly WHERE your backcast will be unrolling before you even turn your eyes. Remember my “Connect The Dots” game that I teach from? This is a natural extension for my students, because we’ve already learned to trust that when I connect these dots from here to here, the loop goes… right… there… So they know where they are going to focus their vision even before they stroke the rod. They shift their eyes to “the spot” and suddenly the loop appears there – MAGIC!! This minimizes the time they are looking away from the target, and they don’t find themselves searching for their loop somewhere back there.
If watching your backcast makes you a less confident caster, well I guess I must not be very confident. I do it much of the time. As often as I decide to…
Regards,
Troy Miller ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[GH] Troy,
I guess we could debate this indefinitely. We'll always have "watchers" and "non-watchers".
For TASK 1., however, I think it boils down to whether one can watch the back cast and still have a smooth demonstration which would instill confidence in students.
Granted, I only watch my back cast when I have to..... as to avoid tree branches. If I take my eye off the fish, I'm not likely to find it quickly enough for a good presentation.
When coaching distance casters who are not making their distance or having poor layouts, sometimes all I have to do is to say is, "On your next cast I want you to watch your back cast". Most of the time it solves the problem.
Gordy
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[GH] From Shaun Ash :
With task one I have to work on starting with a big loop I have a tendency to throw a normal loop then open them up. What helped me was to use the domed path but as it was explained by Brian Henderson only dome at each end. This kept the line under control I think that some where in the centre of the stroke I hit SLP and It makes the changes easier to talk through.
What I have done with many of the tasks is changed them into casting problems to be over come. like I have a student how throws a controlled large loop on the front and back cast demonstrate what the problem is with this cast and how you could correct it. thats it very simple expectations even if the casts was not then 8ft to 2ft in equal steps to change them has not the understanding and spirit of the task been for filled I have applied this problem solving mindset to many of the tasks and it has help me work through them . I then record any problem I have doing the task and seek answers to these.I think with these style of test taking on a problem solving mind set thats teaching not I must be able to complete a task
Shaun
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[GH] From Ckling Ling :
Hi Gordy,
Should there be a discussion/summary of the mechanics involved in the task?
Thanks
Ling
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[GH] For this series on the MCI exam tasks, I didn't wish to get into all the specifics of casting mechanics such as the details and theories behind loop formation. We have covered that in the past and will do so again in the future as new information and ideas emerge.
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