Unfortunately, facing the target, not watching the BC, still seems to be the standard default start position for beginner instruction.
Where the problem often lies, is trying to introduce this long before the caster has learned to control loops, even with watching them. And often that can be because haven’t been taught to watch them!
Within just the last month I have heard an instructor with 30+ years teaching experience say quite explicitly that looking at the BC is disadvantageous. They’re actively being taught not to watch them, because “everybody knows” it causes a tracking error.
No argument from me. Range and change is what we’re teaching people to develop and do if they want to fish most effectively.
What I have them do, to learn to make a backcast without watching, is to have them alternately looking and not looking at various periods while falsecasting. Target casting is really good for front cues being used to fire away a great backcast. It’s a whole set of training exercises to make the transition from watching to not watching,
See tip 10 of the Orvis top 10 tips for beginners.
There may be timing issues but that’s a different problem
https://news.orvis.com/fly-fishing/vi ... eginners
Minute 9.15