Zaps - Alex Niederer @ Trials Training Center

This was the advanced ledges, zaps class taught by Alex Niederer and Nigel Parker and then some of my own thoughts on the manner. Including instruction from 12 yr old Ryon Lands

[@TrialsProgression]

Full Zap online course available at www.trialsprogression.com/zap

[@RobinAdamsOsteopath]

Wow - brilliant vid. Watching your break down and the coaching/demo from a 12 year old gives such brilliant explanation and inspiration. I'm only 57 - got a lot of catching up to do! Loving it!

[@TrialsProgression]

Thank you. Sometimes I wonder about my little white board drawings. 😂

[@jamesholbrook3648]

I was able to finally figure out the relationship between loading the flywheel and unloading the suspension by watching the super slow motion videos. Being able to hear the individual hits of the engine vs when the tires leave the ground opened my eyes.

[@TrialsProgression]

Those light bulb 💡 moments are sweet🔥😎. Great to hear man 👊

[@treeturtle9378]

Excellent video Tom. I love the way you analyse & break it down to the grass roots level. It’s particularly valuable to know the common mistakes we all make while learning, and more importantly how to correct them. 👍 Thanks for sharing you experiences.

[@TrialsProgression]

You're welcome. Thanks for commenting 😉

[@robertbrown-bt6zh]

Well done, your detailed explanation is allowing people to understand what the pros are attempting to communicate.

[@TrialsProgression]

Hey thanks Bob 😉

[@travisjuif5713]

Tom, thanks for recording these sessions. TTC training days is a must for any trials rider especially in the early stages of learning. It’s interesting the difference in training on the zaps between how Neil Price teaches it and what we learned in TN. Both are applicable but it would be interesting to hear Neils perspective on the differences between the 2 different techniques to accomplish the same thing.

[@TrialsProgression]

He basically said, McDonald's arch is good for beginners learning since there's more time. The short run up is good once technique is dialed and when space is limited. It's a blending of different styles.

[@fanbmxc00]

I kind of felt the same after the TTC classes. Great job putting your thoughts and observations to a drawing!

[@TrialsProgression]

Thanks man. Were you just there this year?

[@treborheminway3814]

Great info and progress.

[@lensmith1864]

Dude thanks for the video! This stuff is awesome! Beginner trials guy here but I like the stuff you are talking about. I always hit my front tire too high!

[@TrialsProgression]

Thanks man. 👊 If you go back and watch my previous zap video where I went over the bars you'll see why I have this issue of hitting the front too high as well. Fear of low and possible issue. But it's not warrented. Just got to convince myself of that. Lol You really have to teach your mind and body what you want it to do to overcome certain fears like going over the bars again.

[@danielwade5642]

Excellent video. I'm fortunate to be in FTA with Alex so I get to watch & learn from him on a monthly basis.

[@TrialsProgression]

That's awesome!

[@offthehookdesignandfabdotc2582]

Thank you so much!!! Love your videos!!!

[@TrialsProgression]

Thanks man 😀

[@shaynebluebelt]

All ur vids are so helpful. Good job.

[@TrialsProgression]

Awweee. Thank you 👊

[@Zhaganashi]

This is awesome! Good work!

[@TrialsProgression]

Thank you

[@mandyandmaxbird2780]

Thanks for including the attemps that did not work as well, i agree it is very good to see for learning purposes 😊

[@TrialsProgression]

I keep hearing this, include your failures. 😆 it's a humbling process to display what doesn't work to the world, 🤷but I agree it is helpful.

[@Coastal-rsidedown]

Very nice breakdown on technique.

[@TrialsProgression]

Thank you

[@alanporter9556]

So cool to see that 12yr old show off his skills! Good video

[@TrialsProgression]

👍

[@briansmale5457]

Good stuff mate, glad i found your channel :)

[@TrialsProgression]

Thanks. Glad to have you. 👊

[@yakojumps]

This was an excellent video thanks

[@TrialsProgression]

Hey you're welcome. Hope it helps 👊

[@Jk-wi1ij]

Thanks again for the video will be trying this Saturday when I’m out

[@TrialsProgression]

You're welcome. Awesome, get after it 👊

[@fprintf]

With the McDonalds approach it is almost like you are emulating a double blip, just using the clutch instead of the throttle. Perfectly fine tool but as you found out, likely not what they wanted you to take away. Thanks for the breakdown. I definitely have to get myself to some training, it is super apparent that they know what they are talking about but also that they know how to teach it (and through the anxieties that adults bring to this sport). Massive grin watching your 12 year old instructor too!

[@TrialsProgression]

Riding with young master Ryon, might have been my favorite part of the weekend. 😀 Yes, when you are there, you just do it bc they say to do it and they have many good spotters. It breaks you past your comfort zone, but definitely elevates you. Often when you watch the pros do it, you're thinking, oh yeah sure, Alex can. But when you see a random Jimmy do it, you think, shoot, if can try, so can I. Or when you do it better than random Jeff, then you get the boost of confidence. The pack, traveling and learning together always goes further. See if Ryan young trials schools is coming to your area. Where you live?

[@fprintf]

Removed post.

[@TrialsProgression]

@@fprintf awesome! Sounds like a solid summer of learning 👊

[@RogerBadgerDSFlyer]

Nicely done! Great explanations. Seeing how you adjusted from your previously learned technique of planting the front then popping (nicely described by you as the M) to the different technique of driving the front in and then up, in one continuous flow, was a great demonstration. It takes some brain gym to recognise and then do that. Nicely explained video. I look forward to revisiting this video when my newbie skills progress to that level.

[@TrialsProgression]

Hey thanks! Yes I was committed to learning this and frustrated by how they seemed to be doing it differently. Check out this clutch control one which will put you on the right path. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jYLPqo2FjN6CmtU

[@RogerBadgerDSFlyer]

@@TrialsProgression Thanks for that. I watched that video a while ago but it was worth watching again. I’m ready to try the clutch pop after wheelie, in preparation for zap in future 👍

[@jodybliss5725]

There are two Zap techniques. First one Alex shows is the raise then lower version and requires more precision with balance, timing, clutch and especially requires more body English (think lifting bars). Good for smaller obstacles and especially on down hill ones. The second Zap is a continuous movement where, as you describe, the front wheel lifts then impacts the obstacle never dropping. Perfect for uphills. Ray Peters teaches both techniques.

[@TrialsProgression]

Right on. I never knew there were 2 types till I got here to TTC. using - clutch in - to help with front wheel placement was huge to learn. Previously, I was only on throttle for 1st wheelie and not very accurate

[@ianhiggins6203]

Ah, brill. I'm 2 years behind you & following in your tyre tracks!. Just started this year. Had a go at some little drop off's & wheelies last time out. I give this a shot in a month or so.

[@TrialsProgression]

thanks for watching. I spent way too much time on these zaps in my 1st year. It wasn't worth it. Looks cool, but turns and ride technique give way more return on investment. But give it a go for fun. Just don't fall into the trap of trying things over and over that are outside your skill window 👌

[@ianhiggins6203]

@@TrialsProgression thanks for the tip, Saw you doing quick turns too, that's a thing I can try.

[@JJMeyer-ox2hc]

Great video! This is about where I am at now, I know what to do, but I just can't get that satisfying sound of rpm build up. Something that's helped me a bit with building the rpm is to full fist the throttle instead of one finger on the brake. Gives a bit more wrist rotation.

[@TrialsProgression]

Great idea. Yeah, I'm same way. RPM anxiety I guess.

[@armandov2424]

LOL the 12 years old kit teaching was a great touch. :-)

[@TrialsProgression]

He's a really good rider. Humility learns from any and everyone. 😉

[@armandov2424]

@@TrialsProgression yeah, no doubt. He'll probably be a pro in a few years.

[@TrialsProgression]

@@armandov2424 that's the way it's looking. He'll be doing an interview on the channel here in a few weeks. 😃 Ryon Land.

[@bcaron3535]

With the slow motion capabilities of cell phones, I recommend getting a riding buddy to record you as you practice. Especially useful if you can record it done correctly to compare to someone who needs help. Excellent tool to see what you are doing wrong.

[@TrialsProgression]

For sure 👊

[@hughrobertson-payne914]

Great vid as usual Tom… I’m not there yet, but the seemingly consistent revs - is it because your clutching as you hit the log with the front then releasing again, thus changing momentum and power that way, rather than with the throttle? Looks good! 👌🏻

[@TrialsProgression]

I think so. Clutch in even before hit with front, rev up just before front touches and release clutch after suspension compresses to gain rebound and engine drive/pop

[@TRIALandMUSIC]

nice one - thanks! - keep it up - cheers!

[@TrialsProgression]

Thank you

[@qaz98122]

God damn you are analyst, same as my approach i analyze how pro do it, and you are correct they really take for granted on how they do things especially on clutch and throttle control.

[@TrialsProgression]

🤣 Yep. Always trying to figure it out since they make it look so easy. 🤔 And when they have been doing it for so long, they often forget all the elements that go into it.

[@TrialsProgression]

It's hard to capture everything. So many things going on with zaps. I've got a playlist on some of my learnings along the last year with zaps. kzbin.info/aero/PLr9WXGyccAG_CZWY1QYx3FXTxu9FYhTRi

[@yusufherlambang3980]

Mantapp

[@GlobalEnduroMedia]

Megga that mate

[@TrialsProgression]

👍

[@mitchrichardson744]

More slow mo! Watching the pro was happening too fast.

[@TrialsProgression]

Good point. I'll work on that for future videos 👍

[@chrisb222]

lol i used to ride with Ryon until he left me in his dust lol

[@TrialsProgression]

Kid is amazing

[@mitchrichardson744]

Less little shorties making it look easy please. (Kidding)

[@TrialsProgression]

I know right😂 think how we felt. 🙄 Then I asked him how long he's been riding. 10 years!. And lots of that with good coaching and an older brother pushing him. So there is that 🤷