Warning: Not claiming to be any kind of expert, had to learn alot of things the hard way, possibly some of my experience is worth sharing. I fly with guys that have over 20,000 hours TW, which makes me but a lowely greenhorn at just over 5000TW.
Don't overthink it! The best thing you can do to get better, is burn alot of gas. Don't be asleep at the wheel, and do not be rigid. When I hear pilots saying to do things one certain way, I can't help but smile, cause that is hilarious; conditions are always changing and you need to be fluid. The plane will tell you what to do, focus on the information you receive from the aircraft and the weather/terrain. Once you get the fundamentals down, there is a world of other things to try and learn, just don't push it too hard, take your time. Don't let anyone push you past your comfort level, or be over eager trying to do what more experienced TW pilots make look easy.
Not sure what the thing about holding the stick back on the ground is about. For some reason that notion bothers me, I don't do that in anything from super cubs to 1200+HP Turbine tailwheel aircraft I fly regularly. Don't do things just be cause people say you should, do what the aircraft requires to keep everything coordinated and moving in the direction you are trying to go. If you have the stick in your gut, and get a unexpected gust from behind, you'll be like the guy I saw that happen to and wind up on your nose.
If you are lucky, you'll get to fly off-airport with big tires. The world is your oyster when you've got a reliable tailwheel bush plane, big tires, cash to burn, and the guts to chase after adventure. One thing to contemplate on at length when getting into that, is making good decisions.
The most important thing I have learned in aviation, is that you have to be able to make hard decisions, and generally be able to make the right one the first time. I screw up all the time, but always reflect on that and de-brief at the end of the day to try and improve the next time around. Maybe I sound a little too serious, kinda rough around the edges right now from flying so hard for the last few months. We already lost six Ag pilots this year, think there's been 30 reported accidents, and it is just crazy how far I see some really inexperienced pilots pushing their limits. I am one of these young guys that has a long way to go, don't have anything "figured out," but for damn sure not tryin to be number seven on that list.
When trying a new technique out, find a nice big runway/area free of obstacles, just don't do it where there is unnecessary risk. Ideally, find a mentor that has been around the block, and is willing to fly and hangar fly with you. I've wound up in situations that happened so fast, but could hear a friends voice in my head talking about that very situation, and exactly what they would do. That's definitely helped me get outta more than a scrape or two. No replacement for experience, but good advice can go a long way, may even save your life!
I said don't overthink, but something I always think about, is the exit strategy (AKA plan B etc.). What/where is my out if this doesn't go as planned, do I even have an out, and at what point will I have backed myself into a corner?
Well that's enough for now. Good luck, and have fun
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my RV-4 with 360 in it will head for the weeds quick if you push the tail up fast with your feet on the floor......
