Coaching Kids
A
proper introduction to the
sport of track riding can
lead kids to a lifetime of
enjoyment. One of the best ways
to get kids off to a good start is
to fi nd them a certifi ed coach via
the U.S. Motorcycle Coaching As-
sociation (USMCA). Using the or-
ganization's website, http://www.motor
cyclecoaching.org, you can fi nd a
certifi ed coach near you who can
help a young rider through the
critical fi rst steps in learning to
have on-track fun.
Roadracing World talked to
two USMCA certifi ed coaches ex-
perienced in working with kids.
Their advice follows:
Dylan Code
California Superbike School
Training kids is not too dif-
ferent from training adults. After
training many thousands of stu-
dents we fi nd that what worked
with the last 100 students may
not work at all with the next one.
This is the big clue for teaching a
kid: Switching the approach to en-
sure understanding.
Typically, kids tend to learn
well by visual or kinesthetic
means. This is fi ne. However if you
have a rider who really only learns
from watching and following oth-
er riders, you can often fi nd them
hitting barriers and having no
basis to think through a problem
when they’re in the paddock wait-
ing for their next riding session.
The best approach to resolve
this is to get a track map and go
step-by-step to get the rider to
talk about what they are doing
during a lap. Start with what gear
they are in at various points, then
where they are applying throttle
and brakes. Move on to turn-in,
apex, exits, etc. This will start a
discussion towards improvement.
So the key to successful
training, is to use the teaching
method that works best with a
given student, whether they are
an adult or a kid. The reward is
connecting with the student, and
seeing them improve their riding,
gain confi dence, and have more
fun on the racetrack!Keith Culver
YCRSI'm from New Jersey, where we
had access to one of the best mini
clubs in America, a slew of track-
days, a strong club racing scene,
the nation’s top riding school,
and a world-class track host-
ing club and professional races.
The fi rst level is the minis,
small bikes run on small kart
tracks. This is where kids often
fi nd their love of motorcycle rid-
ing. The better clubs teach the
kids proper riding techniques,
proper sportsmanship, and even
how to take care of their equip-
ment, developing a sense of pride
in what they do.
NJMiniGP, our local mini
club, has a formal training cur-
riculum. Speak to any parent
who started their kids early with
NJMiniGP and they're happy their
kid learned how to do it properly.
At the Yamaha Champions
Riding School (YCRS), we tell stu-
dents that if they want to be a
champion, they need to emulate
champions on and off the track.
We say; “If you can’t do your
homework, how are you going to
be a champion? If you can’t keep
your room clean, how are you
going to maintain your bike? Do
you think Josh Hayes has a dirty
room? I don’t.” Champions Habits
are much more than just riding.ɛ7H[LU[LK+PYLJ[3PUR™3VHK;YHUZMLY+LZPNUɛ5VU3VHK)LHYPUN-SVH[LY)\[[VUZɛ*9@6.,50*(33@;YLH[LKMVY4H_PT\T
7LYMVYTHUJLɛ)PSSL[+\J[PSL0YVUHUK7YLTP\T
MADE IN THE USA :[HPUSLZZ:[LLSBecome a Motorcycle Instructor!
800.943.5638 • http://www.totalcontroltraining.net
Have your ever considered turning your passion for riding/
racing into a career? Our proven riding technology has helped
create and train over 250,000 riders in North America.
Continued growth has opened up teaching opportunities
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From left, California Superbike School coach Dylan Code with young
students Rocco Landers and Travis Horn at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Ninja 300
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1LQMDRoadracing World, Trackday Directory 2019—61