WhenPigsFly

I think what glideangle was trying to get across though was don't reach out for grips as this will cause a backslide. That was part of my problem when I first started, but I have that corrected. Now I fly to my slot, and keep flying there until my hands are right there at the grips. In other words I could grab the grips or not and my body will still be in the same position. My earlier post about "using the grips to hold on instead of truly flying my slot" referred to that. My instructor had me do some drills were we did some formations where we were turning points, but without actually taking grips. That really helped me get it, and learn how to fly my slot instead of being the idiot just hanging on for dear life lol. You know I have mainly been doing RW with jumpers that are way more advanced than me. It has been humbling, to say the least, to see how much better they are than me. I thought man I suck. I just got my Coach rating and did my first coach jump with a student that had 11 jumps. It was funny to see how much better I was than him. Kinda put it into perspective ya know. All of your tips are appreciated. Thanks.

Thanks sundevil777. That makes sense. I think it will take some practice, but then again so has everything in this sport so far.

Lol, no the was the first kick. I know it is bound to happen I guess. I was just looking for tips on how to make sure it is not my fault, etc in the future. Doesn't feel good knowing you could have got a friend hurt.

I will try to pay more attention to the jumper directly across from me then, as I do remember looking at the grip of the diver to my right (the one I was responsible for grabbing) I guess no one can really tell me without having been there or seeing a video. I think I just turned faster than she was prepared for but I don't know. At 120 something jumps I don't want to be like it was her fault! As it very well might have been mine. Experienced RW guys have always been preaching to keep it tight though. Is there too tight? Dumb question I guess. I just don't want to kick anymore people in the head.

Ok so I am a relatively newer jumper with 122 jumps. The other day on a 4way we went to turn a left hand donut. I didn't notice anything, except one jumper kinda floated up and was never really back in the dive. After landing I learned I had accidentally kicked her in the head. I didn't even feel it. I was just trying to keep it tight, and obviously didn't mean to air assault her lol. She was fine. No missing teeth, broken nose or anything thank God. My question may be an impossible one to answer here as there is no video and none of you were there to see, but was this my fault? If so how can I ensure it doesn't happen again? Was I too tight? When I first got my license I had a tendency to use grippers to hold on rather than truly flying my slot. I was also relaxing my legs when I got in my slot causing me to backslide when turning the first point. After some coaching from my instructor I felt I had rectified these problems, but I guess maybe I went to much the other way? Any advice is appreciated I don't want to kick someone again lol.