Private Lesson Ep. 9 || SQUARING UP A TURN

[@koromuri97]

Props to James for allowing us to watch his progress.

[@MorehouseC]

By far, the best training videos I've watched. I cannot wait for this upstate NY winter to be over so I can start working on my technique.

[@anthonygangone3242]

Way to go James!! You can really appreciate his progress if you compare his very first attempt at squaring the corner vs. the times you asked him to try to crash. If you look at the difference between those two attempts his progress is amazing. Testament to you AJ to get James to improve that much that fast.

[@dekancaine]

I love watching someone like this. His cornering went from super slow no technique to actually not looking bad. Been out of the game for 18 year. But I’m back. Kids now days don’t realize how awesome it is to have aj teaching techniques and others at their palm. I just had to figure it out. Made it up to winning some on b class mega series back in 2002 ish.

[@therawlifefamily]

After an almost 20 year break of not riding, went out and bought me a new 450. This thing is so much faster than the 250 2 strokes I rode, it's like the step up from a 125 to a 250! Really enjoying these videos and can't wait for things to dry out where I live so I can ride more. Hoping to get my conditioning back as that's the biggest thing holding me back.

[@busybeans87]

So there is a track here that has somewhat of the same deal, double landing into a left-hand turn. I finally stood while braking and it instantly clicked! These videos rock keep it up

[@ballou1777]

Great content again AJ. I’m learning so much from these.

[@CommieHunter7]

Just wanna say thanks for putting out these videos. I've really appreciated seeing the tips, techniques, and have benefited from applying some myself (toes inward to naturally bring knees in, unlocked pelvis, letting hips swivel to lean the bike while keeping both knees in contact).

[@AjCatanzaro]

Thanks for watching!

[@ericcole4926]

Great job, once he stops thinking of what to do and just goes, He's good!

[@gandossi]

Great work AJ. Keep going. I will follow you on Saturday sx race!!

[@ataiken8406]

This is what you are talking about in this video, you are answering my question keep it up, loving it!

[@brianm5906]

Good job working with him. I'm an old guy that used to race years ago, but just ride when I can now, but am learning some stuff from your videos. I appreciate your dilemma of never teaching something, just knowing how to do it. So much stuff I do when riding is just instinct, I don't know why or how I do it. Its kinda hard when he really doesn't have the feel for brake sliding the bike, and that's coupled with a banked turn, a mud hole, and a pro watching him lol. When we were kids riding our bikes and playing around, we learned to brake slide the bike, which then was more natural when you have to do it on a track with other obstacles. One thing that would help a lot is if he was standing, because he can't use his lower body to get the bike to twist a little when he's sitting. May be easier to teach by just learning to brake slide / turn the bike on a flat, hard packed surface first, then put it on the track but I know time is an issue.

[@blakesmotovlogs449]

Great video AJ. Keep them coming.

[@jordanfisher2285]

AJ, you should consider doing a lesson on riding a 125 two stroke. Teaching people how to stay in the power band when exiting corners and jumping ect. I’ve seen people hit the power band late going up the face of a jump and you know how that ends. 2 strokes are harder to come by but I bet beginners are buying used 125’s because they’re a cheaper route when just starting to ride. Learning to ride a 2 stroke is so much different than learning to ride a 4 stroke. What works on a 250f night not work as well if you’re on a 125 2 stroke. Granted all your positioning stays the same but the overall throttle control and what not is different. Just an idea 🤷🏼‍♂️, love the videos! Good luck this weekend! You’ll be in the night show without a doubt 💪🏻

[@Grayson_026]

Instead of being off like the 250 use more clutch and a higher gear to get revs up. I ride both a 250 and a 125

[@c2protect]

I have to say, that is great progress and great instructions.

[@tajjson]

wow, U are a great teacher.

[@Dylans503]

Lol! I love that coaching attitude "i want you to fall". Its like youre either gonna hit me, youre gonna fall, or youre gonna make it. Either way, youre gonna learn today! lol

[@Rythemz]

loving the vids AJ! good luck this weekend brother

[@AjCatanzaro]

Thank you!!

[@ThePBSamuel]

That is so useful! As usual. Thank you!

[@robertdenton6936]

I would fly AJ up to Washington for a private lesson tomorrow if he would do it. Such a good confidence booster and great with detail. Not kidding. I would do it tomorrow.

[@motojan2305]

Great videos. Love watching private lesson series! Keep up the good work. :)

[@thedirtdigger5990]

Awesome video and yes thanks to James for letting us watch his growth. I too am a 40 yr old vet rider 2nd yr in now and enjoy watching the same struggles I go through. Aj I enjoy your training techniques, alot of them I did as I trained my son and others, I know mentally what to do just have to get my body to follow lol

[@BrandonONeal1]

Great technique video. This comes in handy in the woods navigating tight spaces. It was risky of you to get up in the middle of that corner, and tell him to try to fall, but it worked!

[@Harper_Ahlberg]

James is my favourite person to watch he always improves alot

[@ManuelTorres-qy8op]

Thanks AJ rooting for you today at STL SX

[@JackKTM369]

Loving these dude

[@MrXiztence]

Awesome video the whole leaning bit is def uncomfortable are first.

[@Fatonzzz]

Watching these videos makes me want to ride this track sooooooo bad lol.

[@RR-jr7ni]

Maaan,is like looking at my self on the video. I've been struggling with my confidence for years. I wish we have someone around this area who can help me out.

[@rob97ss]

As a newbie rider at 49yr,these videos are refreshing..Keep it up...Come to Long island I could use a lil help...Hehe...👍

[@mxfreaks]

Robert do you ride at 10th St MX?

[@rob97ss]

@@mxfreaks ..Yes.ive been try to go as much as possible..

[@rob97ss]

@@mxfreaks ..Are you from LI??

[@mxfreaks]

@@rob97ss nice yeah I just started riding there. It's the perfect track to dial in your skills. I ride a light blue husky #456 say hi if you see me sometime! Might go tomorrow if they are open or maybe Saturday.

[@mxfreaks]

@@rob97ss no from CT but it's the closest open track during winter. It's about 2hr 15min from me.

[@VlogEpicness]

Soon James will be tripling into the corner 👍🏻

[@alexclark8477]

Hey AJ, loving all your uploads and your lessons and the way you conduct them and yourself are fantastic! As someone just starting out myself, these have been invaluable. One thing, you mentioned you would never square a corner like that and I appreciate where you are coming from but can you show us how you do it? To me pros make steering from the rear look so easy but I have to aggressively rear brake and then off / on throttle to make it look smooth. Keep up the outstanding work bro

[@MXUnion]

Great video!

[@ChrisGuthrie]

First, love this series. Something I would like to see though that is not really covered by many if any, maybe some how to pass tips, for riders that may be a little faster than you, around the same speed, and slower than you. I struggle with this sometimes so maybe it could help me and others as well.

[@AjCatanzaro]

Can definitely explain this in a video

[@250txc]

Sweet! ... Just looking but it was looking like he needed more speed for sure but what about his line on the berm? Seemed he might could have rode a little higher on the berm than that lower line he was taking ...

[@HobbitHomes263]

The psycho barrier is that people who want to turn focus on the handle bars. IN this deal you use the rear brake to lead the mental process of shaping the turn.

[@shawnlaughman7862]

Thanks again for the videos

[@harrisonb7275]

It’s nice to see you not having a short patience

[@denisrobitaille6183]

Good Job

[@joelgrado176]

Can you do a video about fitness?

[@aidenporter2130]

Love your videos bro 🙌 Getting a dirt bike again this year for the first time in years, with these maybe i wont land on my face and die 😂

[@ataiken8406]

I have a track at my house and I'm trying to get better at Bowl Turns and "Turning Down" what is basic technique for this? I'm using to much back brake and i feel i'm sliding and i'm not suppose to? Any advice will help me practice, practice, practice! Thank you, T

[@VariteZ]

Can u make a how to go off jumps from small to large, and regular, kicker faces of jumps

[@runninwithriver3537]

hey AJ idk if you’ll read this comment but do you think you could do a lesson on brake tapping, and possibly like body positioning in the air for different types of jumps?

[@AjCatanzaro]

Yes I’m sure those will both be things I cover with a rider in the near future!

[@zealobiron]

One of the easiest things for me to learn was squaring up. Everyone has their things ya know. Struggled in many places on the track. Cutting down in a turn always just felt so natural. Miss turning. Lol. Never thought I say something so simple

[@mailoyndavis1975]

I love to lean..great info again..

[@sleiger8855]

I was worried about ruts aswell, i Just started riding again after 10 years. Back than i had a 85, now with a 250 u just have to be on a certain speed/ carry enough momentum and u can ignore them completely, still blows my mind kind of😅

[@kennyrmurray]

How can my grandson and I get lessons from you? Did I hear you say your in Connecticut?

[@Dkflying1]

Coming to Denver to train anytime this year?

[@Jags4don]

Excellant

[@arnarolisigurdson9483]

Hey I was wondering if you wear a chest protector and if so where can I buy it 🤑

[@AjCatanzaro]

Sometimes I wear a small roost guard under jersey. EVS has some great options. You can use my promo code AJC-2F6MF21ECMQS at evs-sports.com for 30% off

[@arnarolisigurdson9483]

Aj Catanzaro Oh wow ok thank you🙏

[@redrider2503]

I always wear a chest protector! I wear a Fox Racing R3 its superlite and affordable, but luckily AJ hooked you up with that code sweet 🙌🏼

[@tonycarpec9712]

Definitely enjoy the vids i watch everyone probably a few times im really new to riding started on a crf150f then got a cr250 which i couldnt ride just didnt feel comfortable on it so now i have a 06 crf250r which i absolutely love im 45 and it definitely keep u in shape but i wanted to say thanks your videos definitely help i just was wondering what a good way to over come your fear of jumping lm always worried on what gear i should if im hitting it to slow or to fast idk i guess its something im gonna have to do

[@eyesthatseewillsee7457]

Tony Carpec what didn’t u like about ther cr250

[@kehlercolon7011]

What do you mean when you say don’t use your clutch when breaking?

[@mxfreaks]

I'm assuming he means gas and brake at same time. Maybe just slight throttle to keep from stalling?

[@loco-moto3162]

You can use your brakes without the clutch. This will give you an audible brake chatter and without the clutch a 4 stroke engine will help you slow down faster by using engine braking and brakes at the same time. Pulling in the clutch allows the engine to free wheel so that equals no engine brake. Obviously speed will determine how much you need the brakes. I hope this helps and I’m not AJ so hopefully I hit the correct stuff.

[@mxfreaks]

@@loco-moto3162 makes sense, it's hard to break it down when you just do it instinctively

[@loco-moto3162]

JB456 absolutely that’s why this sport is amazing so many fundamentals and bad habits to break and good ones to create

[@tylermaja2266]

Your videos have been really helping my progress at the track, so thank you! I am just wondering if you have any specific tips for really tall riders?

[@AjCatanzaro]

👍🏼 not much should change technically as a really tall rider, but it becomes even more important to be perfect with your body position. I would say biggest thing for a tall rider is to work on getting your foot position dialed in!

[@tylermaja2266]

@@AjCatanzaro Okay will do, thanks Aj!

[@ballou1777]

How do you deal with ruts on a jump face?

[@katelynpaczkowski7262]

How much are your group lessons? I wish you were closer. I would love to join one of your lessons but your 4 hours away. It’s not that far but I don’t think my mom would drive me. :( I live in New Jersey by the way.

[@AjCatanzaro]

My group lessons are normally an all day class for $200. I also offer 4 hour classes at Field of Dreams in NJ for $150. I’ll be updating everyone with my fall & summer schedule as it gets closer

[@jaidyvdh200]

Do you need to pull the clutch in in the whole braking zone?

[@seanmiller2849]

AJ, love the vids bro! Pleaseee keep them up 👍👍 quick question, I've gotten back into MX from a 10year break. Been struggling with arm pump really bad, I try holding on with my legs as much as possible, to the extent where the inside of my knees are so painful after a days riding... What can I do to reduce arm pump?! Please help!

[@AjCatanzaro]

Biggest thing other than technique is breathing properly and getting in a good rhythm with your breath. Sounds obvious but I struggle TERRIBLY with arm pump. It’s been the one thing over my career that’s held me back the most. I believe it’s a combination of my body type and that I’m a “nervous” rider and hold me breath often

[@Jusadudelivin]

How much is it to get private lessons from you

[@AjCatanzaro]

$100/hour

[@250txc]

@@AjCatanzaro Sweet!

[@250txc]

One more question.. Why squaring on that corner? Why not rail the outside line?

[@AjCatanzaro]

Because you would go right into a super deep puddle. So it was just good opportunity to practice squaring up

[@250txc]

@@AjCatanzaro Sure, I can understand that... Might just be me but it seems the AMA SX riders are squaring corners more often in the last 2-3-4 yrs than in the yrs preceding this. -- Might have something to do with the way Feld seems to be keeping the tracks groomed so well since they took over.

[@ryancrow4477]

I rode at tomahawk a few weekends ago and it was the most slick track I've ridden. When tracks get like that whats your best suggestion to keep the bike under control?

[@AjCatanzaro]

possibly ride a gear higher than normal will help. when you sit down you want to be very careful that you don't lean too far forward with your upper body in conditions like that. You also need to be comfortable with the bike getting sideways at times (something I struggle with). Think tight with the knees, loose with the hips

[@mxfreaks]

Buy a KTM or husky with traction control!😂 JK but it really does help, I use it when the tracks are frozen a bit still or wet.

[@ryancrow4477]

@@AjCatanzaro Awesome thanks a ton!

[@HobbitHomes263]

teer left to go right, lay it over and get on the gas

[@shawnlaughman7862]

How do you get into riding with no money where can you find trainers when so get money extra

[@elieversole2391]

What do you do to make your self push harder

[@250txc]

You gotta want the championship!

[@ataiken8406]

I use my Front brake 98% of the time and i'm having trouble braking while standing and over using my back brake and completely not using my front brake; It's like rubbing your head and belly at the same time and getting use to doing more than 1 thing at a time. I way more comfortable using my front brake and not my back brake

[@AjCatanzaro]

practice brake drills where you stand up and use a tiny bit of front & rear brake until you get more comfortable. Completely take a corner out of the equation for the sake of the drill

[@ataiken8406]

@@AjCatanzaro Thank you sir and I will take your advice and work on it! Much appreciated!

[@661larry]

Best gear bag for the money. My last one is shot

[@VlogEpicness]

661larry zulz

[@bootyfilestv4138]

dont even own a dirt bike, or a motorbike for any kind of that matter but.... here i am learning.

[@AjCatanzaro]

Haha love it

[@Wetherd2]

Thanks for these training videos AJ ! I really appreciate you putting them up, you have given me a lot to work on & think about. I ordered a black camo hoodie, excited for that. If you are ever in South Africa, please look up our our track & come ride at www.wetherdmx.co.za p.s.I hope you make the main in St.Louis !

[@AjCatanzaro]

Thanks for supporting! Would be cool to come to a class at your track if you have other riders who are interested! Once Supercross season ends I travel all over the world teaching

[@Wetherd2]

@@AjCatanzaro That would be fantastic, we have quite a large network in the mx community here. Let us know how you would want to do it & we can assist by getting the numbers.

[@Zacmurray1422]

How do you scrub

[@demetriosakos5381]

Would love to see a scrubbing tutorial