the perfect driver

[Brian Minkin]

michael lang wrote:

Brian, when you do have a student that you can tell is nervous or on mental overload, what do you tell them or what do you do to help settle them down?

The nervous student will probably have death grip on the steering wheel and their body will be very tense. I usually suggest that they loosen the death grip and relax their arms and shoulders. I am understanding of how they feel as I have been there myself. I suggest that we do not need to be concerned with the speed of the other cars/drivers and that we only need to drive at a speed they are comfortable with. To lower mental overload we will work on one thing at a time and build our skills and knowledge in easy steps rather then trying to do it all at once. Lets go have fun. You will be amazed at what you and the car can do.

As Nick suggested I always try to meet the student before getting in their car and learn about the car, their experience and their goals for the day or weekend.

My main goal is that at the end of the event is that my student has a big smile on their face and that we have made progress at what ever rate they are comfortable with. Every one advances, just some faster then others.

Teaching an overly aggressive student with way to many ponies under their foot is a whole different chapter and for me a bigger challenge then helping a student overcome nerves and fear.