Freefly TOTD (30 NOV 2003) - Headdown Single-Hand Docks

[OzoneJunkie 0]

Headdown Single-Hand Docks:

Taking a single-hand dock while headdown can be difficult at first. There are actually a number of ways to accomplish this cleanly, and there are a few things here to think about and work on.

By presenting an arm in front of you, you are putting a body surface into the relative wind (of course), and this can have the effect of pushing you onto your back. To re-balance the overall body position, you can put the opposite leg (opposite from your arm you are presenting) behind you. This leg, by itself, would normally push you onto your belly, so doing so with an arm in front will keep you upright and balanced. This a good thing to practice during solos. I recommend putting a hand out in front for a brief moment, then recovering. This helps you learn similar to how a child learns to walk - your body learns intuitively how to recover. However, being the thinking freeflyers that we are - you should also try exactly what I've described: put a hand out in front, for more than a brief moment. But, as you are presenting that hand, put the opposite leg behind you. NOTE: It often helps to bring your same side (same side as your docking arm) leg out, and to the front a bit. See how long you can hold that position. Then switch sides. Now realize, it is possible (and quite usable) to put a hand out in front without requiring that opposite leg behind you. That's another thing to practice - but I recommend learning to use your legs initially.

Now, here's another tip regarding presenting that hand. Quite often I see people, when putting, say, their right hand in front of them, they will pull their left shoulder or arm back. This presents a problem because they're no longer really facing their target, and will often cause a body rotation, resulting in an orbit. It can be extremely beneficial, when bringing in the docking hand to the front, to also bring the opposite ARM in to the front (not down to the side, but actually to the front - as if taking a 2 handed dock). Now, don't bring it in all the way - just slightly (say 6 inches or so). This will keep you a bit more balanced, and will fight your tendency to bring that opposite arm back, and will stop an orbit from occurring.

Lastly, there's a variety of ways to take a dock. You can fly the dock in to your target. Or you can fly to your target, then present an arm for a dock. Also, you can take the dock directly in front of you (your arm is brought in 90 degrees), or you can take the dock to your side - where your arm stays out to your side. You can move in to your target forward, or you can sideslide in. All of these ways of docking are legitimate, and require different skills to do so. Practice and use them all. And be conscious, before you go in for the dock, which technique you are going to use, and why.

[skymama 37]

Thanks for posting this, it is the next thing in my head down progression that I want to start trying. I've enjoyed the tips, keep 'em coming!

She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man,
because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon

[jsyslo 0]

Nice job, thanks!

Blue Skies!

[sunnydee123 0]

I LOVE all his tips as well and each week I go to the DZ with new things to try on my solos...eventually I'll be comfy enough to try some fun stuff with others learning right along with me....

HEY MAMA...wanna go play together in Eloy?!

Dreams become reality, one choice at a time...

[bigfritz 0]

Thanks for the tip!

------------------------
Freefly, baby.

[skyedivr 0]

I would like to add that I have seen people when going for a dock they move their whole shoulder "in" with the hand they are docking with. if you just move your arm and keep your shoulders even it won't make you orbit like Ozone says.
good tips thanks O.

my power is beyond your understanding.

[WrongWay 0]

Hey man, good point!! It was good to meet ya at Eloy!!

Wrong Way
D #27371 Mal Manera Rodriguez Cajun Chicken Ø Hellfish #451
The wiser wolf prevails.

[skyedivr 0]

Quote

Hey man, good point!! It was good to meet ya at Eloy!!

yeah man good to meet you! we never did jump though....d'oh!

my power is beyond your understanding.

[WrongWay 0]

Yeah but I'll make it down to Tenessee one of these days. We'll be sure to jump then.

Wrong Way
D #27371 Mal Manera Rodriguez Cajun Chicken Ø Hellfish #451
The wiser wolf prevails.

[danwayland 0]

Very good tips.

More food for thought when it comes to learning how to dock head down.

1. Match levels first. For a flower (hand to hand) you'll want to be eye to eye.

2. Then slowly close horizontal seperation.

3. Hover closely for a moment before taking the grip.

4. Dock and fly it for several seconds.

But also bear this quote from Bruce Lee in mind:
"Before I learned the art, a punch was just a punch, and a kick, just a kick.
After I learned the art, a punch was much more than a punch, a kick, much more than a kick.
Now that I understand the art, a punch is just a punch and a kick is just a kick."

It's the same for us. Once we get into freeflying we analyze every little detail of exits, docks, and transitions. Move your shoulder in a little, raise your right knee, pick your chin up, etc.

Then one day it clicks, and an exit is just an exit, and a dock is just a dock. So here's is the number one best tip I can give anybody that wants to get really really amazingly incredibly good at freeflying. It's the only tip that really truly works and that all freefly coaches universally agree on.

Practice often, and don't get hurt

So don't get frustrated. Just keep flying.

I am so zen

--
Dan Wayland
http://www.danwayland.com

[OzoneJunkie 0]

Yeah, well said - about the learning phases. My friends and I often discuss "beginners luck" when hitting a new move or whatever, followed by that luck running out - where the analysis comes in. Analysis gets you to and through the understanding phase, ultimately to the "bust it without thinking about it" phase.