When am I ready to learn a F-B?

The bottom line is you need to be a solid front and back barefooter. Ideally, you should be solid on both one foots in the front and back position. The more solid you are on the basics, the easier turns will come, and you will continue on the fast track to higher difficulty tricks. I always say that solid front and back one foots, toe holds, and four solid two foot turns are the basis for all barefoot tricks. It is important to spend the time mastering the basic one foots and toe holds and stick it out when you go to learn your turns. Before long, the sport will be in the palm of your hands.

What is the proper way to go about learning the F-B?

The first thing to do is learn all four turns on shoe skis. Many of my students say, "man, I can turn on shoe skis all day long with my eyes closed." This is where most footers make the biggest mistake and spend time with the wrong strategy. I suggest not worrying about which style you use at this point and just concentrate on Hips, Rhythm and Flow, Axis, and Unified Movement. It is important to do the trick with these elements without worrying about specifics. This will allow you to learn the trick with the style that comes most natural, to you. After you can complete the four turns, it is then time to figure out what style of F-B you are using. I suggest using video analysis, a good open-minded coach, or your training partner to find this out.

Next it is time to master the style that you are using on the shoe skis. You need to know which ski you are turning on and learn to feel that ski on the water. This is the ski that must stay in contact with the water, stay flat on the water, and become your "feeler gauge" for the trick. A good way to do this is to do the turn with one ski on the foot that stays on the water and no ski on the step foot. This will teach you to depend on this foot and leg for support and it will also teach your step foot how to be light on the water. It is also good to vary your speeds during the same set. Slow speeds of (18-22 mph), depending on the size of your skis, will simulate the strength through the turn that you will need. Fast speeds (32-36 mph) will get you more comfortable with the speeds that you will be doing the turn on your feet.

Finally, it's time for the feet. This is not the time for wondering how to execute the trick or what your feet are going to do. The repetition of "BAREFOOT TURNS" on the shoe skis, I repeat "BAREFOOT TURNS" on the shoe skis, is where these things are worked out and pounded into your muscle memory. Once on the feet, all you need to do is step up the intensity level and go for it. I suggest three to five attempts per set. Starting with a back to front is preferable. This puts the back position fresh in your memory. Do not just stand there and "mind trip" on the trick. If you find yourself doing this, take a step back and keep working it on the shoe skis.

Why is persistence so important?

Many footers decide they want to learn this trick, often very early in their barefoot career. Once you decide you are ready and you want this trick, it is necessary to put the time in especially when you get to the final stage of doing the trick on your feet. You should do a minimum of 3 attempts every set out on the water. I understand that you may be sore and gun shy. These are viable excuses, but remember that this is the trick that separates the men from the boys or takes women to the world level of the sport. Any skier that does a front to back on their feet has been there and paid their dues.