Hi all,
Sorry for the delay, i was reading your very interesting replies to my questions! It is such a fascinating subject (well, for me at least) and it's fascinating to hear about the psychological aspects, as well as what we are "really" doing. For example, if i think to myself "cast straight up into the air like a rocket" i get a good back cast. Now, as Paul says, an analogy can help or hinder someone. I know for me that Mel's description of a "pull through stroke" was quite literally a life changer for me, especially when he mentioned "drift back and....PULL IT THROUGH!!!"
Has anyone seen Mel's "faults and fixes" DVD? This was very hard to get in the UK, but it's a fantastic resource, especially when he uses his analogies and descriptions. One of my favourites was when he was describing someone applying the force way too early in the stroke for a distance cast, he used the phrase "The longer the stroke, the more U's in whump, you've got to stay with it all the way" to maintain rod bend, or even thinking about his very famous phrase "WHUUUUUMP!". Now, this sounds simple, and it is. But it works incredibly well!
Also in his video, he describes a "push through and a pull through" stroke. The push through stroke features early rotation, and his pull through stroke features late rotation or \\\\|/. Of course it's easy to over analyse, and this is what i've done. Seeing it written down for me is incredibly confusing, but hearing it is another story.
I think he did, Paul. Certainly in his video he says "once the rod is bent, you can sling the line forwards" for people that 'hit' the cast too early. I really like this description.
If i'm side casting, the back cast feels like i'm throwing a Frisbee, on the forward cast it's the same feeling, but telling a right hander to throw a frisbee forwards (with a forward cast) feels weird. I like Mel's rope analogy of trying to hit a board as hard as you could with the end of the rope, if you 'poked' it forwards you wouldn't get much effect, but if you 'pulled it forwards, it could almost break the board.
I do think it just comes down to over analysing, for me at least. Interesting that Steve has changed his ideas on rotation. I think everybody evolves as a caster, i certainly don't cast the same as i did 10 years ago
That's a great question, James. Actually, i did film myself to see what was actually going on, i 'think' rotate as late as possible, but i am rotating through the stroke.
I really do think this is more of a psychological aspect. Not sure what you mean by 'spoon casting', although i do cast in the mirror with the accelerator click stick contraption, much to the displeasure of the inhabitants of the household. It must be easier on me because i'm making the noise
Thank's for all your responses, it has been quite a revelation!
All the best
Nick