Going For a Ride

Be prepared to do a lot of these. You've completed the solos, so you think you're falling straight down on your head, but you're likely flying forwards or backwards pretty fast. This dive is intended to help you learn how to hold still.

• headdown exit with coach with mutual grips
• three rings works well at first
• a high round (grips on upper arms) is also a good option
• a flower with "cheaters" (grip the upper arm with the other hand)
• if things are going well, the coach should let go while the student remains gripped
• if things are going really well, then the student should let go and attempt to fly right there with the coach
• if things get zoomy, student should go to sit
• once everthing is relatively still again, student may make another attempt at headdown

Docks a Plenty

Many people find themselves at a stage where they can stay with a group, but tend to drift around lazily or orbit. They fly ok freefly camera, but lack precise, up close, consistent docking skill on their head.

• freefly exit with coach however you want, but no grips
• coach sets up a sitfly base
• headdown student docks coaches foot facing the same way as coach (vertical compressed style, but coach need not pick up grips)
• student docks coach hand to hand facing coach (accordian style, so student had to fly up and turn 180)
• student docks both of coach's feet (69, but again, coach need not pick up grips)
• student spocks coach

That's a lot of good up close flying moves that involve level changes, turns, and precision. If the student is orbiting, the coach should not turn to face the student. Make the student fly to their slot.

Orbit Buster

Many people have a hard time getting rid of their orbit. I had that problem when I was learning, and I wish somebody had done this with me. I haven't had the pleasure of using this one yet, but this is what I want to try.

• freefly exit with coach, student headdown
• lazily carve one direction around coach
• should not be blazing fast
• doesn't have to be wicked tight, but should be as tight as you can get it
• coach should turn to keep facing student, but not carve (for fear that student thinks he/she is carving, but in fact, it's just the coach)
• after going around at least a full lap in one direction, reverse and carve the other way
• repeat

This is similar to how the tunnel flyers teach you how to move first so that you know how to hold still. If you can carve either direction, then it stands to reason that you should be able to stop an orbit.