who would make a better racing instructor?

[mdr14]

Someone who was naturally talented or someone who worked their butts off to learn how to ride?

My vote is for is for someone that had to work hard at being a good rider.

[K3 Chris Onwiler]

I vote for me, the guy who worked his butt off. ;D  Because each step was so hard fought, I have a much better ability to explain things to people who like me, aren't naturally gifted.
Of course the naturally gifted ones will always be the better riders, but they don't really seem to know exactly WHY they are so damn good at what they do.  Still, the gifted ones are probably better for teaching someone to find that last 10%, if only by playing follow the leader.


(I vote we kill the gifted ones....) ::)

[tshort]

C) either of the above - depends on who has the better ability to understand where a given rider/student is in their learning, and then convey to them the lessons that will help them reach the next level.  

There are countless examples of excellent performers who are unable to translate what they do to others who need help.  And if you look at coaches of Olympic athletes you will find that many of them (most?) have never reached Olympic levels themselves.

The ability to teach well is as special as the ability to ride well.  

[G 97]

Someone who was naturally talented or someone who worked their butts off to learn how to ride?

My vote is for is for someone that had to work hard at being a good rider.

I guess this leaves you out on both accounts.   ;D

thatwasajoke  :)

[K3 Chris Onwiler]

 And if you look at coaches of Olympic athletes you will find that many of them (most?) have never reached Olympic levels themselves.

The ability to teach well is as special as the ability to ride well.  

:-*I'm going to take these comments personally.  They may be the nicest things you've ever said about me Tom! :-*

                                              8) ;) ;D

[Super Dave]

Smooth, Tom.... ;D

Naturally gifted individuals usually have some kind of higher ability that mortals don't have.  It might not just be translating it, but that some individuals don't have the capacity to execute in a manner that is necessary to be at the top of the game.

Now, although some of these "retired" individuals might not be able to communicate those things to some, they can get those things through to individuals of a similar nature.  Or they may recognize when a persons execution is on the edge of moving to the next level.

Now, the assumption is that "naturally gifted" riders don't work their butt off, which isn't true in all cases.

And some individuals just have brains that work differently.  A concept does need different explainations for different kinds of people.

[extrakt0r]

A agree with Emilio...

I think it is more important is finding the "right" type of Teacher...

I am a very analytical person...I like to break things down into Bits and Bytes and anyalize the outcome...I like to know if I do "X" then I am going to get "Y" as a result...

I got toms out of SD's class becuase he teaches the same way...

I think if you want to learn, you need to fine a teacher who teaches how you learn best...If you are a visual person, it makes no sense to take schooling from a Teacher who only know how to talk and not write

 ;D

[PaulV]

Interesting question MD,

Initially, instruction in basics requires fundamentals and practice.
Once developed, coaching becomes just as, or more, important to reach the next level.  
Historically, great coaches have the inherint ability to produce elevated levels of performance and championship winning capabilities.
Instruction, 1st, Coaching after that.
Who makes the better instructor, I agree with you, who makes the better coach may be the next good question.

my 2cents ;)

Paul
Polar-Optics

[Mongo]

Haven't read the replies but short answer is neither or both - their talent or skill or even their finishes have nothing to do with their teaching ability.  They have to be a good teacher.  A good teacher can even learn from truly fast riders without have been one and pass that on to others.

[Jeff]

Fantastic comments & they pretty much sum up my thoughts...

One person who made a SIGNIFICANT difference in my racing has never been on a bike.  She's in her 50's, and knows little about racing (nothing about MC racing).  However, she has coached PGA golfers, NFL players, and 2 olympic champions...

The ability to train and understand what an athlete needs is what is key here.

[Mongo]

Werd.  That's also a huge huge hugely important skill in a good wrench/crew chief.  

[cleezmo]

The best instructor will ideally do 2 key things.

A. Be able to get his/her points across clearly, and get the student to clearly understand what it is they want them to do. This is a skill set that has nothing to do with your natural ability in the sport.

B. Be able to analyze the student's specific strengths and weaknesses and adjust their teaching/coaching accordingly. Being able to adjust their teaching agenda to maximize the student's learning is key - like one earlier post said, instructing basics to newbies, coaching more advanced students.

As far as the naturally gifted riders, they have the advantage of their past. A students might take Freddie Spencer's word over Super Dave's just because he's frickin' Freddie Spencer, 3 time world champion. Instant credibility, for better or worse.

Another student might get more out of SD's class because he respects that SD is more of a working-man's racer/instructor, and can relate better to his methods.

The ideal student would get everything they could out of either class because they entered it with an open mind and a desire to learn ;)