Posts
18
Joined
10/26/2021
Location
Ball Ground, GA
US
Edited Date/Time
10/31/2021 5:55am
I need some advice for my 13Yo son that has been racing for a year. My son really loves MX he talks with a lot of the really fast kids and it seams most are home schooled and spend a great deal of time at training facilities or ride a lot. We don't have unlimited resources or time so what is the best way to go about getting better and faster while not spending months at compounds or a fortune. Were not looking to go to Lorettas just trying to get some solid advice. Its just hard to compete at a lot of these 85cc races. Thank You
*Ok, kidding aside. Most areas/tracks seem to have local Pros that will do riding schools or lessons for a reasonable cost. I'd look into that route if you want him to get some legit help.
Racing > Burning laps at a facility
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1. Quality training - you don't need to live at a training facility, but taking weekend classes or finding a local pro that will help your son on open practice days with advice, drills etc.
2. Seat time with a purpose - you son will need seat time to get faster, but it's much better if it has some sort of purpose. Work on specific corners, body position, etc, with some motos thrown in to keep it fun. Just burning laps trying to go faster isn't that helpful. A great trainer told me "we are striving for control and feel, when we have control and feel you will automatically go faster. If we just try to push past our comfort level chasing speed, we will plateau or crash." I'm always amazed that stick and ball sports spend 80% of time working on drills, specific components and 20% playing. At moto, everyone wants to spend 100% of time trying to ride fast and 0% on drills, components. Very strange dynamic.
3. Fitness - riding dirt bikes at a fast pace on a rough track is incredibly physically demanding. No one can spend all week on the couch or playing video games and go race effectively on the weekend. Some sort of function movement training (Crossfit, Orange, etc) is almost a must. IMHO, going and doing bench presses at the local gym is better than nothing, but only just.
In all seriousness though, seat time with a purpose and fundamentals. Just simple stuff like looking where you wanna go, toes in, attack position, etc. you can help him get good technique and the speed should come.
Also when I started riding 2-3 times a week my riding took a big step forward.
2 practice with a plan. work on technique, spring speed, long moto's, no brake, only standing only sitting. lots of little things to expand your knowledge of what you can do with the body and the bike.
3. practice starts a lot. most amatuers dont spend time starting. alessi dominated amatuer 5 lap races cuz he was always first out the gate
4 get a group on kids for him to ride with. nothing will build speed like having someone to chase
5. dont just practice. Pro's in the 90's in local Norcal would hit a friday night race, saturday morning race then a sunday race (they were nuts traveling as much as they did) the race craft of the racers from the 90's early 00's i would argue is better than today.
6 dont just ride motocross. try out offroad events, hit trails in the woods or the desert or try out endurocross type stuff. things that expand his technical skills. being familiar with different terrain will expand his skill base
Most importantly. Have fun, if he isnt interested in taking it to the pro level and you try to force it, itll only start fights and resentment. for him to go anywhere with it, he has to have the hunger to go there
Let him be a kid!
Have fun in the knowledge that you and your boy are having fun together, having a good relationship with no requirements on results because you haven’t plowed your life savings into a hobby.
If he wants to be a better rider for sure get some training days in with local pros and have more focused practised sessions on the bike, improving is fun, just try not to take the fun out of riding by comparing to the homeschooled next big no thing.
Pit Row
I assume the answer is yes. So focus first on education, and then spend your spare time with a reputable riding coach so that he has good technique and rides safely. Focus on fun and safety, not speed. Speed comes with comfort and having a good time on the bike.
With today’s technology, you can film him during that time and perfect his technique, and he will naturally get comfortable and faster. You can learn plenty watching certain trainers on YouTube, and can coach him off some of those.
The stronger he is, the more confident he will be. If he is willing, put him on an exercise regimen, simple core, push-ups and pull ups work wonders at his age and is a great way to slide into training.
You can’t force speed without injury, teach him proper technique, get him playable and strong, and the speed will naturally come.
One thing everyone will stress, seat and gate time, race as many races as you can, and he will learn how to race instead of learning how to follow.
Ive preached since day 1; this is for fun, this is a hobby, and unless your going to Lorettas on a 50 or 65 thats all it will ever be, a hobby. Sure, there have been exceptions to the rule but very few. Its been said multiple times already, but find a local fast guy that does some classes to improve but, in my opinion, forget the training facilities and traveling all over the country racing. Ride/race when you can, hit the open track days for practice, and have fun. Seat time = speed, at the end of a day if you can go home with a smile on your face and in one piece it was a good day.
Also you can pick up some pretty good info off YouTube videos. And when at a local race watch the faster kids/pro classes. Pick up on lines and options they use.
2. He must always be having fun riding first and for most.
`3. Ride for the crash. Dress properly.
`4. Bike maintenance is a must.
Paw Paw
if hes a proven top 5 at those
then do whatever you can to help after that.
Coaches know, do what they say as long as they are not just milking your money.
Do not get sucked into local racing and full blown mod bikes they will not win a race.
Good luck
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