coaching: raising the level.

[pjg351]

what are your views on coaching. do you believe in it, or do you let your kids go along without being coached by an accredited coach. maybe you just let them watch coaching videos. should it be compulsory for juniors who compete to have coaching every year. is it safe to let kids compete without being coached.in our part of the world this is what happens now! MA (motorcycling australia) introduced a new policy from 1st july 2006, that no junior aged between 7-16 can obtain a competiton license including a day license, unless they have completed 5 hours coaching by an accredited coach. this also includes anyone who was already licensed. on top of that they introduced the new kick start program for first time licence applicants. they have a riding and short therory assesment on rules etc. every junior now gets a log book they must take with them to a competition to show at sign on.if they are injured or knocked out it is recorded in the book, and they must obtain a doctors clearance before they can compete again. on a personal level i believe it is a good thing, it lifts the standard of all the riders and stops parents sending their kids back out there if they were knocked out etc. you can read about it on:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] then go to kick start. what do you think?

[Woody_393]

Wow, that's a lot more work, but I think it's a solid idea.

Now about the coaching, what sort of coaching are you talking about? Basic riding skills or more advanced stuff?

[FFRacing11x]

My rider Nick has started roadracing this year. To get your license you must first complete a certification class which is basically a day of school in classroom and track. Just so happens hisinstructor picked him up as a sponsored rider and now we attend his school at least once a month.
In DT, there are several school available, including one that I host. Although there is never anyone as knowlegeable as a peewee parent, the faster kids seem to always have some sort of outside coaching. JMO Tdub

[pjg351]

Originally Posted by Woody_393

Wow, that's a lot more work, but I think it's a solid idea.

Now about the coaching, what sort of coaching are you talking about? Basic riding skills or more advanced stuff?

the kick start kids or(first timers) do the basic bike control stuff, then after that you can choose what ever level of coaching you want as long as it is 5 hours every year. you also have to do it when you go to 125cc and 250 f. the reason being a lot of teenagers get there first bike at say 15 years old and go straight out and race without any knoweldge of how to handle a bike.

[Bakemono]

Sounds like a pretty good idea to me. A lot of parents I see at the track dont seem to have much experience with motocross and I think having someone teach the kids the basics would be a good thing.

[ossagp1]

I am in favor. Just like any sport, whether it is baseball, soccer or engine oriented.

In motorcycling I constantly encourage "schools". While most people feel the first thing to spend money on is suspension, I feel "schools" are. Shameless plug here, the ones that I sat in on that Mercedes Gonzales taught at were the absolute best for newer riders. I don't even know if she still does that.

Anyway, I remind prospectives that it will make you and every bike you ever own faster and safer. All you have to do is attend, pay attention, take notes, and apply it.

But usually they or their parents just refer to some friend they have that already knows "all that". LOL.

The biggest thing you will learn is how to evaluate yourself more closely so you even know what to look for in yourself. Tougher than it sounds.

We should do a similar thing with the log book here, as much as I usually resist invasions of privacy.

[FFRacing11x]

Nothing like saying it twice to get your point across!!! LOL OH sure, then go back and delete LOL

[ossagp1]

Be nice, I have been up since 4:30. went for coffee and forgot I sent it already!! But yeah, I am used to having to repeat myself.

[Woody_393]

you two are funny!

Hey FFR, glad to see you man!

[mxmama393]

I think thats a good idea.

It just sounds safe, I like safe

[Keetoman393]

Originally Posted by FFRacing11x

Although there is never anyone as knowlegeable as a peewee parent

This is so true!!!

[flying flea]

yeh it is a good idea, most moto clubs in oz have the junior accreditation courses run over the one day so they can clock there 5 hours straight up but for people already struggling its just another bill in an already expensive sport