Helping ringers stay right

The primary responsibility for ringing a pair corectly lies with the ringer, not with the conductor. Therefore the conductor's role is assistance, not an additional memory store for a lazy ringer

Some "tips" to consider

Some points to consider.

1: Check your facts

If you think that the bells are no longer ringing in the correct coursing order, check that you have the correct coursing order. This is another reason for memorising the coursing orders rather than transposing them during the ringing.

If you have the correct coursing order then re-check whether the bells are right or wrong.

2: State what you want

If you ask a ringer to make a change always specify what you want to have happen, for example:
If the coursing order should be 52436 and the bells are ringing 52346, the instruction might be "4 lead and then the 3", and not "3 and 4 are crossed".

3: Check the outcome

Are the bells now ringing in the correct coursing order? Yes, good. Now, re-assure the band that the bells are right so they can relax a little bit.

How a band can help the novice conductor

The ringer of 1-2 has a very important role as many ringers use the treble as their guide to many methods. Consequently, many experienced ringers would prefer not to ring 1-2. So a good 1-2 ringer is truly valuable.

An inexperienced band may include members who are waiting for bells to ring rather then ringing to the rhythm. Or a ringer might be unsure of what they are doing, and freeze.

Either way, the rhythm is dead.

Killing the rhythm is almost certain to lead to the touch not reaching rounds.

Why is it important to keep going? Because the conductor will be ringing by rhythm, and if you kill the rhythm you will stop the conductor dead in his or her tracks.

How do you keep going during a "senior moment"? Much depends on how thoroughly you know the method, and what skills you are applying. Learn about staging posts (aka handrails), double place bells, and anything that will give context.

Above all, practice ringing at handbell speeds, so you learn to trust your rhythm even if others are having trouble.

AND. When others are making trips go ice-cool and focus down on ringing your own two bells through thick and thin, so you will come out of the sticky patch in the right place.