Method Toolboxes for teachers
8. Plain Bob Doubles Toolbox
Plain Bob Doubles is often one of the first methods that a new ringers learns after they have mastered Plain Hunt. The treble plain hunts up to fifth place and back and there are four working bells which complete a cycle of four pieces of work. Often it is rung on six bells with the tenor covering. This gives a visual and auditory cue to help accurate leading.
There is more to learn to ring a plain course than in Grandsire Doubles but touches are simpler. The plain course is four leads long, compared to three leads for Grandsire Doubles.
The dodges in Plain Bob are very different to those in Grandsire:
- Plain Bob Doubles – the 3-4 dodge requires the "step back" to be made at backstroke.
- Grandsire Doubles – the 4-5 dodge requires the "step back" to be made at handstroke.
Switching between the two methods can be confusing unless the learner rigorously counts their place and has learnt when the "step back" or dodge is made in each method.
Teaching the theory
How to set up Plain Bob Doubles workshops including theory sessions.
Use these notes and either the cribsheets or the workshop presentation as visual aids.
Learning aids
Download these cribsheets for further study or for use in the tower.
Learning aids
- Plain Bob Doubles dominoes
- Plain Bob Doubles happy families
- Plain Bob Doubles crossword
- Plain Bob Doubles wordsearch
Supporting resources
- Successful dodging – what is a dodge and how to strike it successfully
- How are methods written out?
Practice night touches
For those who don’t do much conducting, being asked to call and keep other ringers straight may seem quite daunting. Here are a some simple, short touches you can call with your ringers to help them learn what to do at the call bit by bit.
If you wish to learn how to call yourself, search for the First steps in calling bobs online course.