Teaching Games - Anybody have tips and tricks?

[mdobbins]

This mostly applies online, but it can happen in person too:

The only recommendation I have is regarding something I've seen happen way too many times.. Please do not win by review if you ever happen to lose to anyone you are teaching. Accept the loss, review the main key points that looked awkward for your opponent(mainly review the idea behind their moves contradicting their moves played. Ask them why), and possibly review your biggest overplays(not every slight one). Honestly, though, do not overload your student. Nothing good comes from feeding people too much information at once.

There's also another one, when you start teaching people, you fall into a teacher role more and more often. If you see someone else conducting a review, don't back-seat teach or interrupt someone else's review of a game that you think is not good enough. If you feel it is extremely important then possibly point it out, otherwise enjoy. Everyone has different styles of teaching. There is absolutely no reason to try to upstage another reviewer.

I have had this happen in public places, like between rounds at a tournament.

Another point to remember when backseat teaching is that the teacher may already know the student better than you and may know better what the student needs at the moment. While you may be right in your point, it may be more of a distraction to the student teacher relationship.

[Phelan]

I really like ross' list. +1

You never answered my question, though. What board size are you playing?
I've found that getting beginners to start on small boards helps them get more games(and therefore more patterns) under their belt.

I've been trying to get people I've just taught the rules to start on a 5x5, and play out several games till the end, only correcting them when they do illegal plays. The reaction seems good. It doesn't tire them as much as playing out a 9x9, and they seem to improve almost every game.

[schultz]

I really like ross' list. +1

You never answered my question, though. What board size are you playing?
I've found that getting beginners to start on small boards helps them get more games(and therefore more patterns) under their belt.

I've been trying to get people I've just taught the rules to start on a 5x5, and play out several games till the end, only correcting them when they do illegal plays. The reaction seems good. It doesn't tire them as much as playing out a 9x9, and they seem to improve almost every game.

Heh, didn't mean to skip your question. Been playing on the 19x19 (it really has been a while), but I'm thinking it's going to be a lot better to switch down a size (or two) for a while. I'll have to talk with her and see what she's comfortable with, but I think a 5x5 at this point would be a little small. Meh, I'll ask and see what she says.

And I know about backseat teaching. I haven't even done this very many times, and had plenty of my friends that happen to be there start to jump in with suggestions (especially great when we end up talking about personal variances/techniques/play styles). Hooray for information overload .

[xed_over]

but I think a 5x5 at this point would be a little small.

you'd be surprised at what you can learn on a 5x5. When I first started using that size to teach, I think I learned more than my student.

But I usually only do capture go on sizes smaller than 9x9. And I find it usually doesn't take more than a couple games on 5x5 before going to 7x7. Then maybe a few more before 9x9. Depends on how fast they are catching on.

Remember, no information overload. But also, don't worry about dwelling on any one concept too long either. After a while, if they're not getting it, move on. They'll get it eventually. Sometimes the next concepts will help teach and reinforce the earlier ones anyway.