I own a driving school and offer a clutch course. Only teach about 4-5 per year. I use a very similar method, but I do have them use the throttle independently too (car in neutral, rev to about 2k, hold, let off, repeat) to teach the muscle memory of the right foot.
Also I think critically thinking about the actual clutch movement helps newbies. Many people say 'release the clutch slowly' but there's really more to it than that. It's more like, release the clutch until the car starts moving, hold the clutch where it is, wait until the car 'catches up' with the engine, release the clutch the rest of the way.
I always make two points: The clutch is analog so you don't "take your foot off" until it actually leaves the pedal. None of this start to engage then dump the clutch. Slowly release all the way out.
The second point is that there is a delay between the clutch and throttle when you are shifting between gears. Push the clutch in slightly ahead of when you release the throttle. Likewise, add throttle before releasing the clutch. If you want to get really good at this, drive an older 911. This point is subtle but I bring up the idea so that they are aware of it and can practice.
Best way to start out teaching someone...find a large, loose gravel parking lot or remote gravel/dirt road. The clutch, transmission, and your neck will thank you for the reduction in traction, and the person learning will be less frustrated.
A car with good low-end torque (esp. off idle) is a big help.
admc58
Reader
3/3/14 1:30 p.m.
I have been teaching my 13yr old shifting w/o clutch to develop the feel for matching revs and throttle control. It is going well. We are also working on double-clutch downshifts. Next will be No clutch downshifts under braking at speed.
Fine motor skills for throttle control and being able to feel initial clutch engagement have been the key things to getting smooth shifts.
When I found out that my best friend's little sister didn't know how to drive a "proper" transmission, and that her boyfriend wouldn't teach her because he didn't want to screw up his "baby", I immediately took her out and taught her to drive the Viper. She didn't stall it once. :)
That does it - as soon as I get home today its time to teach my daughter to drive my car.
Jerry, how'd the lesson go?
Taught a ton of people to drive manual in my Miata, most of them are manual enthusiasts to this day.
When I was 19 I blew the motor in my car. My buddy loaned me a car to drive while I got it fixed. He dropped the car off tossed me the keys and said keep it as long as you need to.
I thanked him and hopped in the car and it was a stick... feck.
I rode my bicycle to work that day and figured I'd take the car out late at night to get some practice before trying it in busy rush hour stop-n-go orlando traffic.
at three in the morning I stalled the car a dozen times and took three light cycles to get through an intersection. A couple of cops sat in a parking lot across the way watching me the whole time. when I finally made it through the intersection they pulled me over.
They approached with the usual "had anything to drink tonight?" and I quickly explained I was trying to teach myself to drive a stick, and I was out so late so I wouldn't get in anyone's way.
The cop's attitude did a 180 and they spent an hour or so showing me how to start off without stalling. It was really cool.
The one piece of advice I actually remember, he told me to imagine a rope with a pulley, one end of the rope is attached to the throttle pedal, the other to the clutch. as I let off the clutch it would pull on the throttle at the same rate.
I turned out to be good advice, my starts got a lot smoother after that.
