Mag1calTrev0r's IAM 'Skill for Life' Diary

[waremark]

"One significant point is the use of the 'pull/push' steering method... I still don't really get why (please feel free to educate me on this thread!), I just don't seem to be able to do it fast enough without looking like a complete tt. This could take some getting used to!!"

Traditional IAM teaching is that pull/push should be used almost all the time, as it gives you safe control in most situations, always ready to turn the wheel either way, with good access to the ancillary controls. There are different views about how acceptable other steering methods are, but it is certainly useful to develop your skill at pull/push so that you can do it smoothly, fluidly and quickly without having to think about it. I suggest that you practice in an off-road situation such as a car park, eg doing figures of 8 which require a lot of steering. Aim for quick steering and a slow car, and practice using the technique for different amounts of steering in each direction.

To avoid any doubt, what is meant by pull/push here applies to larger movements of the wheel only (the current edition of Roadcraft shows fixed grip steering where your hands turn with the wheel for wheel movements where your top hand does not pass 12 o'clock). Pull/push is not shuffling, where you pass the wheel from one hand to another after small movements. With pull/push, each pull and each push turns the wheel at least a full 180 degrees. You would start with the pulling hand at the top of the wheel for a 180 degree pull downwards, or with the pulling hand over to the other side of the wheel for a 270 degree pull (to turn right, start with the pulling hand at 9 o'clock and pull 270 degrees to 6 o'clock). Ideally, you want to finish steering with your hands at quarter to 3, where they want to be during the middle part of your turn. To steer further than you can with fixed grip but less than 180 degrees, I would try to start the pull with my pulling hand in about the right position for it to end up at 9 or 3.

Was this helpful?

[Mag1calTrev0r]

Thanks Waremark, that was very helpful. I've put the things I've read into practice and I'm getting better at it, in fact my observer commented on it in my first drive (see my new update that's about to be written).

Thanks again

[Mag1calTrev0r]

Yet another update :-)

[Kinky]

A great little write up

It takes me back to when I did mine

I'm really glad you're enjoying it.

[Mag1calTrev0r]

Well it doesn't take too long to write a few notes after the drive and of it helps somebody else going through the same process then it's worked.

I don't really know what else to add each time as I can't really take pictures. In time I will record a drive and stick it on YouTube... But only when I can give a good example! Maybe i'll do it for an early commentary drive so people can see how I get better with time and practice. Might be a bit embarrasing for me though as there'll be mistakes.

[Mr Grayson]

It's beginning to sound as if you're hooked. Now nip over to AD-UK and look for a driving day to sign yourself up for. Once you get out with some other enthusiasts on the road, there's no way back

Edited by Mr Grayson on Saturday 6th February 19:55

[Mag1calTrev0r]

Mr Grayson said:

It's beginning to sound as if you're hooked. Now nip over to AD-UK and look for a driving day to sign yourself up for. Once you get out with some other enthusiasts on the road, there's no way back

Edited by Mr Grayson on Saturday 6th February 19:55

I had a look on their, what do you mean by a 'Driving day'? what does that involve?

I have to admit, I am little bit hooked I went out for another drive round on my own in the afternoon for 2 hours just to practice everything... is that really sad?

[Kinky]

Mag1calTrev0r said:

I went out for another drive round on my own in the afternoon for 2 hours just to practice everything... is that really sad?

[Mag1calTrev0r]

Kinky said:

Mag1calTrev0r said:

I went out for another drive round on my own in the afternoon for 2 hours just to practice everything... is that really sad?

Why you ...

Edited by Mag1calTrev0r on Saturday 6th February 21:09

[Kinky]

Go on, admit it .... you enjoy it really

Actually, I have to be honest - the 1 part that I really struggled with was the Roadcraft DVD

I had 3 goes at watching it, and fell asleep each time

But read the book, over and over, and over, and over, etc, etc!

[sinizter]

Keeping an eye on this thread. An interesting read.

[S. Gonzales Esq.]

Mag1calTrev0r said:

I had a look on their, what do you mean by a 'Driving day'? what does that involve?

The Driving Days on AD-UK are listed in the members-only forum, so you'll need to sign up to get the full details.

Members organise them around the country (although currently concentrated in the South), and we get together for a day of driving and discussion.

There's one later this month in North Oxfordshire, and I'll be sorting out a Bristol-based day for the Spring as soon as I get round to it.

[p1esk]

waremark said:

With pull/push, each pull and each push turns the wheel at least a full 180 degrees. You would start with the pulling hand at the top of the wheel for a 180 degree pull downwards, or with the pulling hand over to the other side of the wheel for a 270 degree pull (to turn right, start with the pulling hand at 9 o'clock and pull 270 degrees to 6 o'clock).

If you're using pull-push and want a good long sweep with each hand (180 degrees minimum, you suggest) it seems to me best to start with your pulling hand past 12 o'clock, because I find it uncomfortable if I try to take my hand past 6 o'clock. There's more space for free movement of wrist and arm if I concentrate most of the extra movement around 12 o'clock rather than 6 o'clock. Well that's how it seems to me, but then I'm not a p-p specialist; or any kind of specialist for that matter.

Just as an afterthought: if the hands are supposed to remain symmetrically placed relative to each other when doing p-p, albeit with one hand gripping and one sliding, we can't quite manage a full 180 degrees, can we?

Best wishes all,
Dave.

[Don]

Kinky said:

Actually, I have to be honest - the 1 part that I really struggled with was the Roadcraft DVD

Teeth-itchingly dreadful. But informative.

[waremark]

p1esk said:

waremark said:

With pull/push, each pull and each push turns the wheel at least a full 180 degrees. You would start with the pulling hand at the top of the wheel for a 180 degree pull downwards, or with the pulling hand over to the other side of the wheel for a 270 degree pull (to turn right, start with the pulling hand at 9 o'clock and pull 270 degrees to 6 o'clock).

If you're using pull-push and want a good long sweep with each hand (180 degrees minimum, you suggest) it seems to me best to start with your pulling hand past 12 o'clock, because I find it uncomfortable if I try to take my hand past 6 o'clock. There's more space for free movement of wrist and arm if I concentrate most of the extra movement around 12 o'clock rather than 6 o'clock. Well that's how it seems to me, but then I'm not a p-p specialist; or any kind of specialist for that matter.

Just as an afterthought: if the hands are supposed to remain symmetrically placed relative to each other when doing p-p, albeit with one hand gripping and one sliding, we can't quite manage a full 180 degrees, can we?

Best wishes all,
Dave.

All agreed. I said 180 degrees when I really mean a little bit less, I don't go past 6 o'clock, and I do quite often go past 12 o'clock before starting the pull. Also, there a quite a lot of minor variations consistent with a decent p/p technique.

[Mag1calTrev0r]

Probably has been posted before but I found this interesting.

Metropolitan Police Driving School - Two Car convoy. The commentary is impeccable.
Linky

[Gromit37]

The Roadcraft DVD is pretty dreadful. Try the Bespoke driver training DVDs (There are 3, including a very good commentary one)and the Chris Gilbert DVD (he's one of the instructors in the Roadcraft DVD, but he has retired from the Met and did his own Advanced driving). Much better than the 'official' dvd. Google them.

Good luck with the IAM

[Mr Grayson]

Come on Trev, we're waiting for a fix here!

[Kinky]

Mr Grayson said:

Come on Trev, we're waiting for a fix here!

Yeah - come on

[Mag1calTrev0r]

Calm down

couldn't go out last week as had car troubles. Going out again tomorrow.

It's sad (I know!) but I got the 'Ultimate Driving Craft' DVD and the 'Roadcraft' book so I've been swatting up ready for learning commentary tomorrow.