DAVE PERRY’S ADVANCED TACTICS ONLINE CLASS

How hard can it be? There are only two choices: Keep going or tack.
In Session 1 of the North U Advanced Tactics Online Class we’ll review the fundamentals of Upwind Tactics to take advantage of expected changes in wind and wind shifts and we’ll also explore how to respond (on that rare occasion…) when you’re unsure of what the wind will do next. We’ll discuss how to position yourself versus rivals to create opportunities to gain while minimizing potential losses. You’ll learn tactical positioning across the fleet, and how to attack and defend in one-on-one battles.
We’ll explain how to manage your lane off the starting line using tactical modes; explore both sides of lee-bow tacks; and dissect the Tack or Cross? confrontation.
Finally, we’ll discuss how decisions are made during the race, with examples of race-winning communication techniques and styles between the helmsman, the tactician and the crew.

Topics:
• Managing Your Lane off the Starting Line
• Finding the Escape Lane
• Positioning Relative to Other Boats (clear air/bad air)
• Leading to the Next Shift
• Leading Back to the Middle
• Catching Up
• Staying Ahead
• How to Attack! Defend!
• Quality Tactical Communication
• Quality Tactical Decision Making

In Session Two of the North U Advanced Tactics Online Class we turn downwind and explore reaching and running tactics. In the reaching segment you’ll learn the tactical challenges of implementing reaching strategy. We’ll look at how to attack, how to defend, and how to extend. We also explore the tactical considerations of inside vs outside reaches as well as special considerations in mixed fleet and multiple fleet racing.
Then we explore Running Tactics. We’ll show parallels to and critical differences from Upwind Tactics.
We’ll examine the dynamic changes to the size of our playing field and how to predict and take advantage of changing winds and wind shifts so you don’t end up out of bounds. And with the trailing boat now attacking with wind shadows we’ll look at ways to attack from behind and defend from ahead; and how critical it is to plan ahead.

Topics:
• The Three Stages of the Downwind Leg
• Reaching Tactics
• Running Tactics
• Using Wind Shifts and Pressure
• Defending Your Air
• Rule of Halves
• Passing Lane (attack!)
• Don’t Get Passed Lane (defend!)
• Defend the Inside

In Session Three of the North U Advanced Tactics Online Class, we will explore and discuss the many tactics for fast and smart windward and leeward mark approaches, roundings and exits, including leeward gates and finishing line tactics. You’ll see how advance planning and position can pay big dividends as the crowds converge at each rounding.
This segment will include a variety of common scenarios and will review the rights and obligations of each boat as the situations evolve. You’ll leave with an understanding of mark rounding priorities that will allow you to quickly assess any situation.

Topics:
• Windward Mark approach, rounding, exit tactics
• Leeward Mark approach, rounding, exit tactics
• Tactics at Leeward Gates
• Finishing Tactics Upwind and Downwind

Starts can be chaos, but a good start can set you up for an even better finish. In Session Four of the North U Advanced Tactics Online Class we provide a structure to help you make order out of the frenzy so you’ll get consistently good starts: on the line, on time, at speed, near the favored end and going the right way.
In Starting Tactics we teach how to execute your approach, how to create and defend your space (with a reminder of how the rules work in that tactical situation), and how to get off the line with speed in the first row. We’ll also share a collection of techniques for better down-speed boat handling and acceleration that make the tactics work.

Topics:
• Where to Start
• Approaches to Win Your Spot
• Building and Defending Your Hole
• Effective Communication Skills
• Positioning for Control, Acceleration and Speed
• Avoiding Common Starting Pitfalls