I want to experiment with hosting an online practice jam for MTB Practice Lab subscribers. I'm interested in your reaction to it.
Here's my draft:
What is an online MTB practice jam?
A Practice Jam is a time-limited event held in a private online forum where registered participants agree to practice one or more MTB skills throughout the Jam, for example, for two weeks or a month.
At the start of a Jam, everyone posts what they plan to practice, how often, where, etc. Everyone posts updates on their sessions throughout the Jam, including photos and videos. Participants can ask for feedback. Discussion of practice strategies is encouraged.
What are the main benefits of an online MTB practice jam?
Being part of a small, focused group can help participants turn their practice intentions into actual practice sessions.
You can learn more about effective practice strategies by trying to put them to use rather than just reading about them.
It's more fun and social since you are part of a group.
It's time-limited (two weeks? one month?), so you're less likely to procrastinate working on your skills. And having a fixed start and finish time makes it easier to commit and, therefore, more likely you'll follow through.
It doesn't have the drawbacks of a face-to-face group practice jam: time and location limitations, pressure to perform in front of a group, and significant expense. (Of course, a face-to-face MTB practice jam would have several advantages over an online practice jam, e.g. immediate feedback from an instructor, much better social experience, etc.)
Questions? What are the pros and cons? What suggestions do you have to make it better?
I have a wee collapsible stand for my phone. It's about the size of a credit card, from Nite-Ize, that I carry in my pack. It's not so great for solo, on-trail, video, but works well in parking lots and fields.
Yes, that can be fun. And efficient! And there's nothing like engaging with a group to reach an objective. I'd say a month, if it is to be a group thing. Videos, definitely- images & movement speak a lot! Would everybody be practising the same skill?
Patricia, yes, I think a month might be best, too. More time to develop group cohesion and more time to implement strategies.
When I've hosted online practice jams in the past, everyone practiced the same skill because 1) we had a large pool of members who were interested in getting better at a specific skill; and 2) I was leading those Jams as a skills coach.
For practice jams here, however, I'll be a practice coach, not a skills coach. So participants can practice any skills during the jam, and the discussion emphasis will be on how one is implementing various practice strategies.
I think they are a great idea. They keep you accountable since you have to show your progress to the group. One month seems about the right length of time if someone is practicing a few times a week which is realistic. Griff, maybe you should do rear wheel hops! 😉
Hey Pat, that makes at least two people in favor of a month-long Jam. 👍And me makes 3!
I don't think that participants will have to show their progress. I would say that the expectation is to show your efforts, along with some description of how those efforts are part of a practice strategy.
I'm open to feedback about this so let me know what you think.
Great Idea Griff. Hoping something like this will help me stay committed to the practice. If this motivated me to practice not sure I could find any cons . The pros would be for me, a sense of completion . Keep the Jam short and simple and then maybe progress to another level if we wanted to take it further or deeper into the skill or practice, little steps that would be my suggestion.
Mark, yes, involvement with a group can be one way to get and stay motivated and it's one that most of us can relate to. I also plan to emphasize (in future posts as well as in the Jam) the strategies for motivation that can be deployed where you're entirely on your own.
As for keeping "the Jam short and simple," I'm inclined to agree with Patricia and Pat that a month-long Jam would offer some important advantages. But I'm not ruling it out, especially when I think about having a specific focus for just one aspect of a practice strategy, for example, taking breaks.
Hey Rusty, since the Jam would be focused on practice strategies, not skill execution, there won't be a video or photo requirement. You can easily describe a strategy with words. But this might be as good a time as any for you to "gear up" for video because it is so so important for learning skills, both self-analysis as well as feedback from others.
As for e-bikes, it won't matter. Yes, there are definitely new skills to learn with them, especially with technical riding as you said. But it's the learning/practicing process that will be our focus.
I'm adding a comment to this discussion about the fact that we actually held our first online practice jam back in Nov/Dec 2022. Here's a link to my post about it:
I think it is a great idea. Maybe we can post a short video of our progression?
Hey George, yes indeed. Multiple videos throughout the jam even! Do you have a camera and tripod or would you rely on someone else to take the video?
I have a wee collapsible stand for my phone. It's about the size of a credit card, from Nite-Ize, that I carry in my pack. It's not so great for solo, on-trail, video, but works well in parking lots and fields.
Tripod and my phone works well
I'd be down with this. Maybe a zoom session midway or at that end to share progress?
That's a great idea, Michael. Maybe hosting a Zoom every week would be helpful, just to keep the social connections clicking.
Yes, that can be fun. And efficient! And there's nothing like engaging with a group to reach an objective. I'd say a month, if it is to be a group thing. Videos, definitely- images & movement speak a lot! Would everybody be practising the same skill?
Patricia, yes, I think a month might be best, too. More time to develop group cohesion and more time to implement strategies.
When I've hosted online practice jams in the past, everyone practiced the same skill because 1) we had a large pool of members who were interested in getting better at a specific skill; and 2) I was leading those Jams as a skills coach.
For practice jams here, however, I'll be a practice coach, not a skills coach. So participants can practice any skills during the jam, and the discussion emphasis will be on how one is implementing various practice strategies.
I think they are a great idea. They keep you accountable since you have to show your progress to the group. One month seems about the right length of time if someone is practicing a few times a week which is realistic. Griff, maybe you should do rear wheel hops! 😉
Hey Pat, that makes at least two people in favor of a month-long Jam. 👍And me makes 3!
I don't think that participants will have to show their progress. I would say that the expectation is to show your efforts, along with some description of how those efforts are part of a practice strategy.
I'm open to feedback about this so let me know what you think.
Nope that is a better way to say that (show efforts...).
Great Idea Griff. Hoping something like this will help me stay committed to the practice. If this motivated me to practice not sure I could find any cons . The pros would be for me, a sense of completion . Keep the Jam short and simple and then maybe progress to another level if we wanted to take it further or deeper into the skill or practice, little steps that would be my suggestion.
Mark, yes, involvement with a group can be one way to get and stay motivated and it's one that most of us can relate to. I also plan to emphasize (in future posts as well as in the Jam) the strategies for motivation that can be deployed where you're entirely on your own.
As for keeping "the Jam short and simple," I'm inclined to agree with Patricia and Pat that a month-long Jam would offer some important advantages. But I'm not ruling it out, especially when I think about having a specific focus for just one aspect of a practice strategy, for example, taking breaks.
Sounds great Griff, I'm looking forward to the process grateful I have You guiding us.
Feedback is always useful and encouraging.
Us non-media types would need to gear up for such a thing........get with it.
I presume that quite a high standard of photography would be necessary.
Is anyone interested in ebike technique?
I have found, to my horror, that ebikes have not translated well to technical riding. It seems to need a whole new set of skills.......and attitudes.
Hey Rusty, since the Jam would be focused on practice strategies, not skill execution, there won't be a video or photo requirement. You can easily describe a strategy with words. But this might be as good a time as any for you to "gear up" for video because it is so so important for learning skills, both self-analysis as well as feedback from others.
As for e-bikes, it won't matter. Yes, there are definitely new skills to learn with them, especially with technical riding as you said. But it's the learning/practicing process that will be our focus.
I am in. Great idea.
Glad to hear it, John. Thanks for letting us know.
I think this is a great idea - ohhh accountability is a good thing - a month long would be perfect! Count me in Griff!!
I knew I could count on you Renee. 👌
We're launching!
https://mtbpracticelab.substack.com/p/join-our-first-online-mtb-practice-jam
Sounds like a good way to focus on my practice! I’m psyched!
I'm glad to hear that, Renee!
I'm adding a comment to this discussion about the fact that we actually held our first online practice jam back in Nov/Dec 2022. Here's a link to my post about it:
https://mtbpracticelab.substack.com/p/beta-test-our-first-online-mtb-practice-jam
Sounds good.