Evelyn 0 #1 June 29, 2004 Sometimes I suck, sometimes I don't. Lately I do. I have this problem with dropping my knees. I would think I'd have gotten it by now, and sometimes I'm fine but other times I totally forget, expecially if I'm concentrating on manuevers and not on body position, but body position should be second nature by now, but not for me. Like I said , sometimes I suck. Any suggestions? Life is either a daring adventure or nothing ~ Helen Keller Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bigbearfng 18 #2 June 29, 2004 Have you tried some tunnel time with a good coach??? Worked wonders for me.... I was getting quite used to hearing "you suck"...LOL! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VanillaSkyGirl 6 #3 June 29, 2004 Oh Evelyn, you probably are your own worst critic. I'm sure that you don't suck. You are still new, so don't worry about "sucking". I agree that you should invest in a little tunnel time to work out the kinks in your body position. I know that when a person is self-critical, like you or myself, we can tend to shy away from jumping more. However, it is precisely at this time that we need to jump the most, so try to skydive as much as you can to work through this. I know from our conversations that a big part of your problem is mental. You are probably stressing too much, again. Please don't give up or be down on yourself for making mistakes. Be proactive and make a decision to actively change your flying for the better. If you can relax, believe in yourself and have fun in the air, I promise that your flying will improve, my friend. I am down for a few more months. When I can jump again, you and I will go up for a jump. You can become a PM sister and simlutaneously impress me with your flying progression. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slotperfect 7 #4 June 29, 2004 Try bringing your knees closer together. If you knees are too far apart, it's hard to get your pelvis out so there's one low point in your body position. To make your body position second nature, find someone to coach you as you are lying on a carpeted floor. Practice going from lying flat and relaxed to "springing" off the floor into your corrected body position. It will help you build muscle memory. The wind tunnel time will be invaluable for you. There's a drill I was taught flying with my legs completely together, which really allowed me to get my pelvis out. (Thanks Solly). BTW - you don't suck. Lots of us are still refining our body positions after thousands of jumps, including me! Arrive Safely John Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Evelyn 0 #5 June 29, 2004 QuoteHave you tried some tunnel time with a good coach??? Worked wonders for me.... I was getting quite used to hearing "you suck"...LOL! I've done several coached tunnel sessions, but haven't been in the tunnel for awhile. I definately need to get back in soon. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing ~ Helen Keller Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Evelyn 0 #6 June 29, 2004 Quote To make your body position second nature, find someone to coach you as you are lying on a carpeted floor. Practice going from lying flat and relaxed to "springing" off the floor into your corrected body position. It will help you build muscle memory. We were doing something like that last week at RW camp. I'm going to continue to practice that and I'll also try the other things you suggested. Thanks! Life is either a daring adventure or nothing ~ Helen Keller Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rehmwa 2 #7 June 29, 2004 QuoteThe wind tunnel time will be invaluable for you. There's a drill I was taught flying with my legs completely together, which really allowed me to get my pelvis out What a great drill! It's done wonders for me. ... Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyyhi 0 #8 June 29, 2004 QuoteTry bringing your knees closer together. If you knees are too far apart, it's hard to get your pelvis out so there's one low point in your body position. That was exactly my problem and it revealed itself most poignantly in the tunnel. . .Evelyn, give it a try if it is at all feasable. (BTW, thanks Rosa for the tunnel time float. . .it worked wonders. . .)________________________________________ Take risks not to escape life… but to prevent life from escaping. ~ A bumper sticker at the DZ FGF #6 Darcy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Islandcool 0 #9 June 29, 2004 Also might I suggest this book. It's a great read. http://www.parachutehistory.com/products/mt.html Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VanillaSkyGirl 6 #10 June 29, 2004 QuoteAlso might I suggest this book. It's a great read. http://www.parachutehistory.com/products/mt.html I have that book. Do you want my copy, Evelyn? Edited: Skyyhi ~ You're welcome, my dear. I'm so glad that you went and learned a lot. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites dgskydive 0 #11 June 29, 2004 Evelyn, next time you are out and want to work on it. See if I am available. I will take ya in the tunnel and we will lay on the net for a while and get it worked out. It has helped me. Sounds like you may just be a bit on overload. Learning so mnay new things and from time to time it will catch up to ya. Remember we all have levels where we just kind of stall out for a bit. Then all of a sudden the learning curve starts to pick backup. Keep the faith! I see you out there all the time jumping with MJ. I know you want to get good. Keep at it! You don't suck! You maynot be as good as you want to be yet, but you don't suck! Dom Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Evelyn 0 #12 June 30, 2004 Thanks for all yor enouragement Rosa. You're right, I was stressing again. When a jump doesn't go as planned I get stressed out and the rest of the jumps go to hell. But I'm going to continue to practice my body position on the floor and visualize doing it right and next week at MJ's camp I am going to blow him away with my improvement . And yes, I am definately going to do some more tunnel time. I would love to borrow your book. Thanks! BTW, although I'm having this problem with my body position I nailed the exit everytime! Life is either a daring adventure or nothing ~ Helen Keller Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Evelyn 0 #13 June 30, 2004 [reply That was exactly my problem and it revealed itself most poignantly in the tunnel. . .Evelyn, give it a try if it is at all feasable. Thanks Darcy. It helps to hear that someone had the same problem and over came it. I'm definately going to do tunnel time! Life is either a daring adventure or nothing ~ Helen Keller Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dgskydive 0 #11 June 29, 2004 Evelyn, next time you are out and want to work on it. See if I am available. I will take ya in the tunnel and we will lay on the net for a while and get it worked out. It has helped me. Sounds like you may just be a bit on overload. Learning so mnay new things and from time to time it will catch up to ya. Remember we all have levels where we just kind of stall out for a bit. Then all of a sudden the learning curve starts to pick backup. Keep the faith! I see you out there all the time jumping with MJ. I know you want to get good. Keep at it! You don't suck! You maynot be as good as you want to be yet, but you don't suck! Dom Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Evelyn 0 #12 June 30, 2004 Thanks for all yor enouragement Rosa. You're right, I was stressing again. When a jump doesn't go as planned I get stressed out and the rest of the jumps go to hell. But I'm going to continue to practice my body position on the floor and visualize doing it right and next week at MJ's camp I am going to blow him away with my improvement . And yes, I am definately going to do some more tunnel time. I would love to borrow your book. Thanks! BTW, although I'm having this problem with my body position I nailed the exit everytime! Life is either a daring adventure or nothing ~ Helen Keller Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Evelyn 0 #13 June 30, 2004 [reply That was exactly my problem and it revealed itself most poignantly in the tunnel. . .Evelyn, give it a try if it is at all feasable. Thanks Darcy. It helps to hear that someone had the same problem and over came it. I'm definately going to do tunnel time! Life is either a daring adventure or nothing ~ Helen Keller Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Evelyn 0 #14 June 30, 2004 QuoteEvelyn, next time you are out and want to work on it. See if I am available. I will take ya in the tunnel and we will lay on the net for a while and get it worked out. Thanks Dom. I will be doing MJ's camp again on Saturday but I'd love to do the tunnel with you afterwards if you're available. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing ~ Helen Keller Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dgskydive 0 #15 June 30, 2004 pm'd ya backDom Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
YahooLV 0 #16 June 30, 2004 I know lots of people who suck and they have WAAAY more jumps than you do! DOn't worry about it. YOur learning curve is still growing. If you know what your problem is..(knees) focus on that problem and remember......HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!!http://www.curtisglennphotography.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
happythoughts 0 #17 June 30, 2004 I have a female friend who flew with her knees very wide for a long time. When we were in the tunnel, it became really apparent. There is a natural tendency to bend your pelvis forward when you spread your knees. Bringing them together will help your arch. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
