I have been thinking about my introduction to a casting reel which took place about 15 years ago .... I am 50 and my waters are all Smallmouth. Today, I spend a lot of time in Maine fishing for Largemouth.
Self taught, I practiced flipping, pitching, side cast and back cast.
I did try the odd overhead cast put it was difficult and the side and back cast was getting the job done.
There is an argument as to why the most difficult "overhead cast" would be taught first so as to avoid what happened to me. I still work on the overhead cast but my brain will avoid it when any other casting option is available.