This is basically how I taught my son to drive a manual. I used a low-torque Toyota Corolla with a 5-speed manual. I found a large, flat area—a mega-church parking lot—and, in first gear, told him he can do whatever he wants, as long as he doesn't touch the throttle. He quickly discovered the point at which the clutch bit—began to engage—and learned to get the car rolling without killing the engine.
After an hour or so, he had mastered the engaging the clutch and I began to add the next steps. A couple sessions and he had the whole thing down.
Eventually I taught him how to double-clutch, rev-match when downshifting, and even how to float the shift with no clutch at all.
Today he owns a manual trans performance car (Z06) and has a great fondness for manuals.
After an hour or so, he had mastered the engaging the clutch and I began to add the next steps. A couple sessions and he had the whole thing down.
Eventually I taught him how to double-clutch, rev-match when downshifting, and even how to float the shift with no clutch at all.
Today he owns a manual trans performance car (Z06) and has a great fondness for manuals.