1 THOU SHALT HOLD ON TO THE TAIL END under all circumstances, as if thy life depended upon it, unless instructed by thy teacher to release it - in which case THOU SHALT ACT IMMEDIATELY as there will be a very good reason for the instruction!

2 THOU SHALT RELAX AND ENJOY THYSELF!

3 THOU SHALT HEED THY TEACHER'S INSTRUCTIONS AT ALL TIMES even when other ringers around thee seem to be doing something different. There are very good reasons for teaching you the correct ways of doing things, and not according to the bad ringing habits which some of us acquireth.

4 THOU SHALT ENSURE THAT THY ROPE BE THE CORRECT LENGTH to enable thee to ring up to the balance with thine arms straight. Thy instructor will always check this if thou art in any doubt. Ringing with bent elbows inhibiteth thy control, particularly with heavier bells.

5 THOU SHALT STAND COMFORTABLY.

6 THOU SHALT KEEP THINE HANDS TOGETHER as if thy wrists are handcuffed - otherwise thou mayest be subjected to the rubber band punishment! Thy hands should be touching each other on both the handstroke and the backstroke to ensure an even pull.

7 THOU SHALT HOLD THE TAIL-END IN THE "V' FORMED BY THY LEFT THUMB AND FOREFINGER and let the tail end come across in front of the sally where only thy thumb is, because if it goeth on the back side under thy fingers thou cannest not get such a good grip on the sally. 

8 THOU SHALT KEEP ALL FOUR OF THY FINGERS ROUND THE SALLY at handstroke, and at no time wilt thou be tempted to hook two of thy fingers round the tail end. If the length be correct thou wilt not drop it - promise!

9 When pulling off at handstroke, once thou hast released the sally THOU SHALT IMMEDIATELY TRANSFER THY RIGHT HAND TO THE TAIL END and continue the stroke downwards.

10 When catching at handstroke THOU SHALT NOT ALLOW THY SALLY TO SLITHER THROUGH THY FINGERS. Thou shalt catch it firmly and rise up with it until thy bell reacheth the balance point, rising on thy toes if necessary. If thine elbows are still bent, thou mustest catch the sally a fraction higher next time.

11 THOU SHALT STRIVE TO ACHIEVE LONG, STRAIGHT, FIRM STROKES, keeping thy rope just taut at all times. Remember both thy handstroke and thy backstroke finisheth with thine arms straight and thine hands pointing down towards thy feet - never at waist level.

12 THOU SHALT NOT LOOK UP. In time thou wilt be required to follow other ringers and thou wilt not find them up upon the ceiling! Also thou mightest get bits in thine eyes unless thou wearest spectacles. 

13. THOU SHALT REMEMBER TO BREATHE as we wisheth not to have to practise our resuscitation techniques!
14. If thou feelest even the tiniest touch of the stay at tailstroke THOU SHALT TAKE UP A WEE BIT OF ROPE until thou touchest it no more even at full stretch but the bell sitteth nicely upon the balance.

15 THOU SHALT remember that he or she who breaketh a stay on practice night BUYETH THE FIRST PINT IN THE PUB!

HAVE FUN