Paul Stokes' Corner

Question:
Can you please explain the best method for learning a Back-to-Front on your feet?

The back to front is the first trick that you come to that takes a little bit of guts.  Sure the other tricks you’ve learned up to this point were a little scary, but picking up a one foot for the first time is a far cry from spinning around to the front as far as the fear factor.  But don't worry, it’s nothing to be afraid of.  First off, I assume that you have done your homework and not skipped ahead to this trick.  I feel it is very important to be a proficient front and backwards barefooter.  This means you can do both front and back one foots and toe holds, preferably on the long line.  This preparation alone will take most of the nerves away because you can be confident that you are ready to learn this trick.

 The Back to Front Explained:

1. Feet together and flat on the water
2. Knees bent well and together
3. Head  and shoulders up tall
4. Handle in close to the butt

    When Forwards

1. Feet together and under the knees
2. Knees bent well and together over the feet
3. Head and shoulders up and tall
4. Hips pressed to the handle

Turn slow and together as one unit

1. Let the boat do the work
2. Don’t lead with anything, stay together

Stay in the cylinder

1. Do not, I repeat, do not lean away or turn away from the boat
2. It will actually feel like your shoulders move forward, advancing on the boat, when you stay in the cylinder
3. Come up to the front position, not down and around
   

1. You have to commit to this trick and execute with confidence
2. Don’t turn your head first; let the boat pull you to the front
3. Keep everything tight, close, and together
4. Failure to turn as one unit and up on axis makes you more vulnerable to injury, so don’t be afraid to do it like you know it’s supposed to be done.

Common problems:

• Turning your head early and looking to the front.  This causes your feet to catch sideways.  You want everything to turn together letting the boat pull you to the front.  If anything, your head will actually come around slightly behind your body because of your commitment to resist and let the boat pull you.

• Your feet spread throughout the turn.  This is usually caused by turning off axis.  If you turn your shoulders defensively and away from the boat, your feet will build too much pressure and spread.  Start with your feet very close together, stay tight, and turn your shoulders up and to the front to prevent getting spread.

• You butt dunk when you come to the front.  This is the classic fear factor.  You have to understand that turning up on axis is the easiest way to do this trick.  Not only is it easier, it’s safer, so be confident in committing to staying on axis.  Sure you may have a few that slide around so beautiful and clean that it catches you by surprise and you go out the front.  Don’t let it surprise you next time and foot away with no spray.  The habit of butt dunking is a hard one to shake, so start off the clean and easy way.

Onc Final Note:

Utilize a good pair of shoe ski’s to master this trick before you take it to your feet.  Remember to do barefoot turns on the shoe skis and execute.  Just running through the motions of any old back to front will not help and can end up engraining bad habits into your muscle memory.  Make every turn count.  I recommend the Extreme Footers available right here at BarefootCentral.com.  They are by far the most realistic pair of shoe ski’s on the market today.  This will make the transition to your feet much easier.

Good Luck, feel free to e-mail any questions or comments you have about the back-to-front paulstokes@fluid-distribution.com.

Stokeman OUT!

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