The best way to learn how to use hand positioning is start small.
I have been making them for 2 yrs and it is very additive.I start with a 7 or 8 inch base line and make an oval about 5 to 6 inches wide and directly go to as far up as u can and keep rotating.
I make coaster,placemats,purses ,coin bowls and regular bowls. I use 2yds of line for coasters and 3yds for coin bowls. Nice way to use small pieces of leftover line.