| |
BGonline.org Forums
Handicap options (when teaching kids) / General training
Posted By: sebalotek In Response To: Handicap options (when teaching kids) (leobueno)
Date: Sunday, 19 June 2016, at 11:07 p.m.
It might be helpful to get them into playing some games on GNU or XG. My 11 year old loves computers in general and has taken to XG mobile on his tablet.
With the PC versions you could use Training or Tutor mode but maybe configure thresholds to only flag 'very bad' (or 'bad') blunders initially so they don't get frustrated and interrupted with too many of their moves being 'wrong'.
It can also be helpful to show them the temperature map for interesting positions and get them to think about what rolls are good (hot) and which are bad (cold). Teach them the basics of leaving less shots and explain why leaving indirect is better than leaving direct.
Depending on age, this is a very good page for explaining dice probability: http://www.paulspages.co.uk/bgvaults/tips/dicerolls.php
Try to help them with safer bearing off i.e. leaving an even number of chequers at the rear.
OTB, try to help them to get a feel for who is ahead in the race, perhaps by excluding symmetrical pieces from their 'visual pip-count'. Ask them "who's ahead?" every now and then.
Throw in some catchy rules of thumb as you play the game i.e. when ahead in the race, race; two on the bar is better by far etc
As they progress, try to get them to think about their general game plan and strategy by discussing priming (trapping) vs. hitting vs. racing at a beginners level. It was great showing my son how to counter-intuitively hit loose, recycle and keep rolling his 6-prime home against a trapped chequer this week - he really enjoys beating his Daddy :)
| |
BGonline.org Forums is maintained by Stick with WebBBS 5.12.