How to improve and execute precise turns. ?

[skrovi 0]

I was wondering if the experienced jumpers can comment a thing or two or provide pointers on how to improve on precise turns. I want to work on some drills, obviously I'll talk and seek Instructors to comment, coach and jump with me, but I always like when I see a skydiver so precisely make turns with no effort. Any drills or pointers you guys can provide is highly appreciated?
Me: I'm an jumper with A- license and about 50 jumps.

[Tink1717 2]

First, take your time. 50 jumps, in the scheme of things, is a very small number. It translates to less than 1 hour of time spent on task. Which is not enough time to really get proficient at anything, much less something as dynamic as skydiving.

Second, get to a tunnel, any tunnel, and do as much time as you can there. Hire a coach, fly in the morning and jump in the afternoon (Yes, I know that's expensive, but it's worth EVERY penny of the cost).

Third, jump as much as you can and get as much coaching as you can afford or stand to listen to.

Good skydivers are made, not born.

Good luck.

Skydivers don't knock on Death's door. They ring the bell and runaway... It really pisses him off.
-The World Famous Tink. (I never heard of you either!!)
AA #2069 ASA#33 POPS#8808 Swooo 1717

[Avion 0]

Goto the New Hampshire tunnel, and tell the rats you want to learn center point turns. It took me a good two to three hours in the Orlando tunnel before I could even say I'm just begining to get good at them.

Cheers,

BW

[PhreeZone 20]

SkyVenture NH is still under constructrion.

Hook up with a good 4 way/RW mentor and have them teach you center point turns. Its legs, arms, chest all working together to do a correct centerpoint turn.

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[kelpdiver 2]

Quote

I was wondering if the experienced jumpers can comment a thing or two or provide pointers on how to improve on precise turns. I want to work on some drills, obviously I'll talk and seek Instructors to comment, coach and jump with me, but I always like when I see a skydiver so precisely make turns with no effort. Any drills or pointers you guys can provide is highly appreciated?
Me: I'm an jumper with A- license and about 50 jumps.

the biggie I found this weekend was in being truly neutral (falling straight down). In that state, I could turn a 360 in a flash end still end up 2 feet away from the other guy. When not...5-10ft.

This is not something you can practice in the sky alone. Tunnel is obviously best - you only have 12-14ft. If you do a two way with someone that is facing perpendicular to you, could give you a good sense of forward/backwards drift even if they're not a steady one either.

[Brian425 0]

Come to the Ranch, and find Larry Hoskins. One of the nicest guys around and he spends tons of time working with the new people. I may never skydive as good as Larry; but, I will share what I know when I get better at RW.

If your DZ has a 4 way competitions, make a 4 way team. It will give you something to work toward. And it is a lot of fun.

Find someone who is good at RW and do jump drills with them. Start simple, work on staying level and 90 degree turns. Work on keeping eye contact. Start simple and build.

I have heard that tunnels are GREAT. Unfortunately due to location, time and $$ not everyone can do it. If you can do the tunnel.

The only time you should look down on someone is when you are offering them your hand.

[Avion 0]

Whoops, since Omar has left Orlando to manage the tunnel there, doh, I thought it was open.

Well then, in that case just come to Orlando, or North Carolina where they have the L1.

All I'm trying to say is that it would be significantly harder in the air. In a tunnel you get to stay in the air for longer then 50-60 seconds and have video for debriefing. It make it very conducive for fast progress. Financially, its easier too. You can pay almost down to $10/min and get free help from the the tunnel rats, instead of $20 for your ticket, $20 for you coaches ticket and however much they charge for video, pre-brief, and de-brief.

Maybe you can find a friend that will jump with you just for fun. I've found that to be a rare occasion though, and have yet to ever get video that way. But, I'm still a beginner too, so who knows?


Cheers,

BW

[Mockingbird 0]

What's a "center point" turn?

Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird
"Why is there something rather than nothing?"

[Samurai136 0]

A center point turn means your center of mass "Center Point" stays in one fixed point in space and your turns are around that center point.

Most people tend to "translate" as they turn, which means that their center point is moving in space while they are rotating.

"Buttons aren't toys." - Trillian
Ken

[kingbunky 3]

another way to look at it is that if you use your shoulders to turn, move in a circle with your knees as the middle of the circle. if you turn with your knees, you'll move in a circle with your shoulders as the middle of the circle. if you use both ends of your body to turn, you'll move in a circle with your belly button as the middle of the circle. this would be a center point turn.

"Hang on a sec, the young'uns are throwin' beer cans at a golf cart."
MB4252 TDS699
killing threads since 2001

[Mockingbird 0]

When I flew in the tunnel last summner, I turned by just dipping an elbow slightly, and I stayed in one spot, or moved maybe a foot away.

I haven't learned anything about using an arm AND a leg to turn, tho' I saw it done that way on a Skydive Univ. video.

Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird
"Why is there something rather than nothing?"