problem with toe holds

[Kaser]

This is me doing a toe hold
http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/4850/toeholdfq8.jpg

now, my problem isn't with doing them... uhh.. with my left foot.

any time I go to raise my right foot out of the water.. I *CAN'T*.. It doesn't lift... and if I force it up... i go down..

Is there something wrong with my left leg? has anyone had to conquer this problem before? Is this something I'll go through on every new trick? learning it on my dominate side first, then struggling to get used to it on my other side? should it be easier then this? am I making it harder then it should be? haha...

I can do one foots raising my right leg up... but the second I go to do a toe hold.. it like.. freezes.. is it my mind stopping me??

plz help

- footer in need

[2RLAKE]

lower your boom

[CoFooter]

Kaser, everyone I've ever skiied with, including myself, has a dominate foot for one foots. Mine is the right also. Seems much more natural to lift my left leg than right leg. Get comfortable skiing on your left foot before you try the toe hold. Strive for the same strong form and body position you have with the right foot. Go directly on the boom or tie a handle to a door knob at home and practice the weight shift/handle movement. Once you get comfortable with the mechanics, the toe hold should be no problem.

[barefoot]

I’m sure you have watched this video from Lane Bowers on youtoube. He has some good tips and advice.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=vpFEkUq4CHg


From the picture, I would say lower your boom some. With it being that high, you have to stretch to get your foot in the toe hold. Your balance will shift from your plant foot to where you’ll have to set your other foot down.

Also, look up. You’re looking about five feet in front of you…focus on the horizon. That may be why you’re unable to lift your less dominate foot. You get out of position when you look down.

[atlfootr]

Footer In Need,

Before you even think about doing these BEHIND the boat -
Perfect them 100 times on each foot prefectly on the boom.

BTW, If ski shoes are available use them.

This will allow slower boat speed and your learning curve will be tremendously excellerated.

Now, on to answering your questions ....

YES, it should it be much easier than this and YES you are making it harder then it should be .... listen to suggestion and LOWER THE BOOM to waist height.
Just by lowering the boom alone, it makes it easier to reach the toe strap handle.

I'm NO PRO, I've paid many of them for lesson so now I can do this trick.
Both feet on the boom and longline both feet on shoes, for now.
Summer goal(s) is to perfect them longline on both my feet.

Some guys on here that foot, may know more than I do regarding certain tricks.
Remember, we're all here to help each other.

In my barefoot'n opinion, here's what I see WRONG from your pic'.
First - boom's set way to high (set @ WAIST LEVEL)The TOE strap's harder to reach because it further up in the air, thus the skiing foot
(should be under knee) is pushing itself out forward.
Second - your looking down (NEVER LOOK DWN)We've all heard the expression, "Look Down / Go Down."
So as Barefoot said above. "focus your eyes on the horizon.
Third- you need to crunch fowardBy crunching forward it will allow you to maintain a strong and solid glide on your planted foot as you begin to raise your toe foot into the strap.
Fourth- Skiing foot must be directly underneath your kneeBend the knee of the planted foot more, this enables your gliding foot to travel further back underneath the knee.

BEFORE you even attempt to lift your foot, get a GREAT POSTURE / GLIDE.
TRANSFER ALL WEIGHT 100 % on standing foot and tilt the handle to that foot

After you establish and maintain a strong and soild one foot, crunch forward as you raise your toe foot into the strap.
Plant your foot deep into the strap so the top of your foot in the strap takes the pull of the boom.

Next, BEFORE releasing the handle make sure that your planted foot (standing foot) is underneath your knee.
Imagine if you can, a piece of rebar (redline) jamb into the top of your knee and coming out the bottom of your foot.
This is called an "axis", and it's this "axis" that you want to maintain at all times in both the forward or backward position.

SLOWLY RELEASE HANDLE one finger @ a time.
KEEP HANDLE ON SHIN BONE, easier retrival should you start to fall.
EYES FORWARD on horizon

Follow these basic steps for front toes and next time w/ the boom lowered it will be much easier for your foot to reach the handle.

Give us a full report and some pictures of your next perfect toe hold!
Good Luck!

[atlfootr]

Tie a handle to a door knob at home and practice the weight shift/handle movement.I forgot to add, I see CoFooter suggested it ...
DRY LAND PRACTICE, LOTS 'N LOTS of DRY LAND PRACTICE :D

[tex]

Afooter-Nice breakdown! You need a telastrator!!

[barefoot]

kasel

Take atl's advice...and lets see some new pics!

[Kaser]

well with my dad's recent selling of the boat it might take a while to get new pics. ;)

i need a pull!!

[Danimal]

One more suggestion - Get a new wet suit. The 80's called and it wants those colors back!

Seriously tho - good job. The only way I can do a toe hold is if I stub my toe and have to hold it while jumping around the room spewing profanities!!

[tex]

Good looking haircut!

[Kaser]

are you a buzzer too? :)

[tex]

Skin to win my brutha! Just finished mine!

[Upper Michigan Prostar190]

My problem with toe holds is, I cant do them!:o

[atlfootr]

One more suggestion -
Get a new wet suit.
The 80's called and it wants those colors back! :uglyhamme Easy now, BIG FELLA.
As funny as that is, at least he's out there trying or was until the boat was sold.
Kaser, com'on down for pulls all week long :D

[Kaser]

i feel so hopeless :(