You are definately asking the right questions and a lot of people have given great suggestions. I had several things help to teach me hover better but one thing I have not yet seen suggested is perhaps a different plane. I highly recomend a profile plane from www.ohiomodelproducts.com like the 47" Edge 540. They are relatively cheap, very tough so you can dork it, and when it comes to hovering they are relatively easy. Not all planes fly the same.

A simulator like AFPD is also great to learn how to hover low. You can also DL a quick sample instruction from www.flyingcirkus.com. You can also get the DVD with Chris Maier doing 3-D. But the bottom line comes down to stick time! You want to get to a point where you are a few moves ahead of the plane anticipating which way it will fall. And when you have it in that sweet spot very little movement is involved. You only need that huge throw when you get into trouble and need big time correction.

Burn fuel and patience! Good luck!

John