What's your technique for building the formation?

[GQ_jumper 4]

I'm just wondering how everyone does it and what your reason is. I usually try to build the picture and then build off the centers, to me it just feels like it sets you up for a more solid formation. I can see the advantages of doing it other ways though depending on what you're building, like if you're building the top of a 1 getting the point and tail on first so the centers can key the next move as soon as they take grips.

I've also heard of a few that seem to me like they'd be setting you up for some sloppy flying, ie. get on grips as fast as possible and help the next guy into his slot.

I'm asking because I'm trying to put together an intermediate team for next years nats and I'd just like to know what's been working for everyone else and whether or not I could apply with my team. Thanks

History does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or the timid.
--Dwight D. Eisenhower

[Travman 6]

The more experienced will be able to provide more insight, but I have always been told to let the centres build first.
But it depends on the point, I am tail but there are times where the centres have built and I have flown to my slot but had to wait for the point to get on because I could see when the point got on better than the centres, so once I got on they knew the formation was complete and can key it.

[GQ_jumper 4]

I'm with you on building the centers first most of the time, I fly OC so I'm usually trying to build the picture and then give a solid center for my point to take grips on.

History does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or the timid.
--Dwight D. Eisenhower

[matthewcline 0]

A couple of fellows with national and international gold medals gave me the following advice;

As a young inexperienced team go middle out. After many jumps together begin working the piece partners together more and soon you will build as "one" with the keys closing last to make the key for the next point, no matter where the point goes or who the keys are.

Just passing along the info I got, Istill do not get t oput it into the best practice though, damn GWOT.

An Instructors first concern is student safety.
So, start being safe, first!!!

[UDSkyJunkie 0]

Again, more experienced people can explain in more detail, but Matthewcline above is pretty much on the money. It's a good idea for new teams to let the center build first and then the outside, not only from a building perspective, but from a discipline and awareness perspective... if you're thinking about those sorts of things, you're probably seeing more. Later, when everyone has some experience, it becomes more simultaneous... my team is sort of in-between the two stages (10 pt avg in intermediate).

The two best peices of advice I have ever recieved about building formations are (these were from team Fastrax):

1) move to your slot, stop, take grips, make eye contact, key, in that order... heavy emphasis on STOP! and,

2) take grips lightly... you should be able to just put the palm of your hand on the grip and keep it there. If you can't do that then either you or someone else isn't stopped in their slot, and taking grips won't solve that problem.

"Some people follow their dreams, others hunt them down and beat them mercilessly into submission."