RE: Downwind turn Myth
Your best bet is to get a good book on flying such as "stick and rudder." If there is anything you need help with after that get with an experienced flyer. Even some of the "experienced" flyers don't have a good understanding of aerodynamics as seen here. If they are contradicting the textbooks then I would be wary of their "experience." Years of doing it wrong is still experience, just bad experience.