There is no "proper course" before the start. A leeward boat has all the luffing rights in the world providing she give the windward boat time and opportunity to react. If a boat reaches down below a windward boat from behind, gets overlap, then shoots up really high (because of momentum) saying up, up, up that does not sound like they gave time and opportunity for the weather boats to react. If the weather boats are dead in the water with sails luffing all they can do is sit there and do nothing. If they are making enough way to have steerage they are obligated to keep clear as best they can. They (boats to weather) have no rights for room at the start flag if there is no damage that can occur from hitting it.

This is racing. The start is probably the most exciting part of it. It is your best strategy to be in a place that you are in the right over everyone around you and can get a great start...WOW! Let's go sailing.

Later,
Dan