teaching new players

[Ty9339]

in the past month after working hard on social programs like facebook, and myspace, i've gotten about 10 new faces to come out on a regular basis. i'm very patient with them because i know how hard it was when i first started. but the one thing i've been having trouble doing is teaching them some of the unwritten rules, like not getting ahead of the guy shooting or to try to stay away from the basket during putts. i fear that bringing it up might sour them to the sport like i'm trying to be a dictator or something. any ideas on how to break in a group of new guys who are pretty excited about the sport? just looking for some feed back
BANG CHAINS

[Ty9339]

oh and also, bringing up keeping their scores sorry forgot that

[Texconsinite]

I try to preface everything with "Listen, this isnt something that matters to me, but just so you know, some people dont like it when you (insert behavior here) on the course. Not a big deal, just something good to know."

[Ty9339]

yeah i think that will probably be the best route... anyone have any other things that i'm missing that i should think about sharing with the new guys

[djext1]

The whole 'throwing out of turn' issue could be handled by saying "It's always a good idea to check and make sure it is your turn to throw, or that someone else isn't throwing before you walk up to your shot because you never know if someone is throwing and might brick you in the back of the head....discs are hard, they hurt when you get hit ;) "

If you can get that into their heads about throwing and walking in front of throwers, etc, it may and should sink in when it comes to putting as well. Just make up some story about how you saw this guy walk up in the line of someones throw and when the disc was thrown he turned around at 'just the wrong time' and caught a disc in his mouth. That image should be enough to make em at least 'think about it' hopefully.

[Ty9339]

yeah great point djext1 that is enough to make anyone stop and think... OUCH!!!!

[Geoffro]

I work at a residential treatment facility for at-risk youth, and we have a short nine-hole course on our campus. For the past three years, I have been teaching boys 10-15 the game, and keeping them away from the basket is the most difficult thing to teach. I do use a similar story to what djext1 suggests, though it is entirely fictional, and yes it does work.

On the whole, it goes very well – the kids buy discs from our in-house store, and lots really get into it. I think it’s providing an alternative to bad behavior when they return to their communities (most of which possess at least one local course), as well as growing the sport through the next generation.

[Donovan]

I work at a residential treatment facility for at-risk youth, and we have a short nine-hole course on our campus. For the past three years, I have been teaching boys 10-15 the game, and keeping them away from the basket is the most difficult thing to teach. I do use a similar story to what djext1 suggests, though it is entirely fictional, and yes it does work.

On the whole, it goes very well – the kids buy discs from our in-house store, and lots really get into it. I think it’s providing an alternative to bad behavior when they return to their communities (most of which possess at least one local course), as well as growing the sport through the next generation.

That is an inspiring story brother. Thanks for sharing that one.

[Ty9339]

yeah Geoffro keep on keepin on man that is awesome. great stuff!

[DiscChainBasket18]

Important first rules are keep it simple & keep it positive. It is far to easy to overwhelm with 'rules' when they are first starting out, especially with kids. Playing in a field or private area is best at first so you don't disturb seasoned players on the course. One thing my first timer friend always thanks me for is that I initially taught her basic course etiquette. I explained that you don't want to talk, make noise or distract the shooting player in any way. And stay well behind the shooters line of sight. Even though she is a newbie, this gets her more respect from regular players than anything else.