Using commentary to help you with the System
Discussion
I've written this post in response to Lady Godiva's thread, so I hope it's helpful. Once you've digested the System and got to grips with the timing of the Phases, it should work for you. The system should genuinely help you in your everyday driving or riding.
With the exception of the Information phase, you generally consider each Phase once in turn on the approach to a hazard. You need time and space to do this. This means the System disciplines you to plan ahead. Planning far ahead should help you feel unhurried whilst driving, dealing with hazards early and with confidence.
You can use commentary to help you with this, by working through each phase of the System. For example:
"In the distance I can see a blind left-hand bend. I'll be Positioning towards the centre line for the bend. I will be matching my Speed to the Limit Point, slowing down until the right-hand hedge stops moving towards me. Changing down a Gear for this speed. Using the Accelerator to balance the vehicle. The right-hand hedge is starting to move away, so I'm accelerating firmly for the first third of the distance before the next bend … "
You can use this sort of commentary to help you get to grips with the System and thereby plan well ahead. With practice, it should help you make the System work for you, so that you genuinely feel it helps you drive well.
I trust that others who've observed, plus real professionals like StressedDave, will be able to add their words of wisdom.
>> Edited by Mark_SV on Tuesday 24th January 20:06
With the exception of the Information phase, you generally consider each Phase once in turn on the approach to a hazard. You need time and space to do this. This means the System disciplines you to plan ahead. Planning far ahead should help you feel unhurried whilst driving, dealing with hazards early and with confidence.
You can use commentary to help you with this, by working through each phase of the System. For example:
"In the distance I can see a blind left-hand bend. I'll be Positioning towards the centre line for the bend. I will be matching my Speed to the Limit Point, slowing down until the right-hand hedge stops moving towards me. Changing down a Gear for this speed. Using the Accelerator to balance the vehicle. The right-hand hedge is starting to move away, so I'm accelerating firmly for the first third of the distance before the next bend … "
You can use this sort of commentary to help you get to grips with the System and thereby plan well ahead. With practice, it should help you make the System work for you, so that you genuinely feel it helps you drive well.
I trust that others who've observed, plus real professionals like StressedDave, will be able to add their words of wisdom.
>> Edited by Mark_SV on Tuesday 24th January 20:06
Great, nice to see some good advice from all corners.
Lets call "mirror" a "rear observation" (to be inclusive to bikers).
In my experience, some Associates (including me) needed to develop rear observation when starting advanced training. This doesn't mean it should be over corrected. As Dave says, too much emphasis can be put onto rear observations, detracting from the mental space left to look at what's in front of you.
Indeed, rear observations cost more than just mental space on the bike. In order to see a mirror, you have to physically move your head. On most sportsbikes, you have to move your elbow too, so that it doesn't block the view. Movement on a bike influences its direction, so rear observations are done thoughtfully.
(Incidentally, if you ever come up behind a biker and see no head or elbow movement, the biker probably doesn't know you're there. If you do see movement, all you can guarantee is that the rider's seen a blurred shape in his or her vibrating mirror. If it's a Ducati, it's only a matter of time before the mirror falls off, so beware debris
)
>> Edited by Mark_SV on Friday 27th January 20:00
Lets call "mirror" a "rear observation" (to be inclusive to bikers).
Don said:Is it? Or does it mean consider a mirror check? Roadcraft, and police instructors generally, say that the System should be applied flexibly. Additionally, Motorcycle Roadcraft describes "consider a rear observation" as an extra kind of phase between Gear and Acceleration.
The System is, however, quite black and white when it comes to evaluating any hazard. Starting with the Information phase - which includes mirrors.
In my experience, some Associates (including me) needed to develop rear observation when starting advanced training. This doesn't mean it should be over corrected. As Dave says, too much emphasis can be put onto rear observations, detracting from the mental space left to look at what's in front of you.
Indeed, rear observations cost more than just mental space on the bike. In order to see a mirror, you have to physically move your head. On most sportsbikes, you have to move your elbow too, so that it doesn't block the view. Movement on a bike influences its direction, so rear observations are done thoughtfully.
(Incidentally, if you ever come up behind a biker and see no head or elbow movement, the biker probably doesn't know you're there. If you do see movement, all you can guarantee is that the rider's seen a blurred shape in his or her vibrating mirror. If it's a Ducati, it's only a matter of time before the mirror falls off, so beware debris
) >> Edited by Mark_SV on Friday 27th January 20:00
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