Pop Up how to think about it and know what I did?

[TLV]

I am nearly 50 years old and surf for 8 years.
When I work on my Pop Up at land every thing is good. I can check my self to find how I did it, and were did my feet land. Then I can improve it.

In the water every thing is collapsing. I look at the wave I paddle and then Pop Up but I can not think and control it. Actually it is a complete blackout . I guess that my Pop Up is not good due to:
1. Falling from a high number of waves after standing already.
2. Strong braking resulting no speed at the end of the drop.

If I go to the beach when there are 1 feet waves, that no one is interested in, I can think about the Pop Up and even count in my head 1 for lifting the upper body and 2 for placing the my feet on the board.
But above 1 feet the blackout is back.


Any suggestions on how to concentrate in the Pop Up and prevent blackout?

Thank you in advance,
Reuven

[Big H]

Blackout like you term it is a good thing IMO....I have no idea the mechanics of my pop up in the Ayer....I practice on dry land and break the movements down, but in the water all I know is that in prone and a flash later I'm on my feet. Be aware in your practice....in the water automatic reaction is th goal IMO.

[oldmansurfer]

I know what you mean. I practice on land to do what I want in the water but recently my popup changed, I am quicker and a little further back on the board but it wasn't a planned change I don't hink about iut when I am surfing. If you want to improve your foot placement make a cardboard cutout of your surfboard and practice popping up on it. Your musle memory will carry over to the water. As to the falling and braking those are probably not related to popup unless you are too slow but more related to the mechanics of what you do after popping up. If you could get someone to video you then post it here that would make it easier to figure out. I think I recall one of the surf instructor guys talking about falling backward or forward off the board having a different meaning which one is it?

[Surf Hound]

My thoughts are if you have been surfing for 8 years and are still practicing your pop up then you may not be surfing enough. Which if that is the case I would suggest practicing even more on land so when you get in the water you would have developed some muscle memory. I think most of us who enjoy surfing understand that "blackout feeling", which is really just you and your body being in the moment and natural instincts taking over. As many a coaches have told me, you gotta practice enough where you just do what you practice hence "perfect practice makes perfect ________". Fill in the blank as that can be used for anything obviously. In general, keep practicing, more importantly, surf more and if possible have someone video your pop up in the water. Once you actually see what you are doing in this "blackout moment" you can make adjustments to your practices on land and then take that to the water. Cheers....

[waikikikichan]

You have a classic case of "Paralysis by Analysis". You are thinking so much about what you should do, that you are not able to follow through with the action. My hand needs to be here, is my foot on it's toes?, my back arch is at 25% or 30%?, etc. You do not need to learn to pop up. Just go to sleep on the living room floor and have someone scream in your ear " FIRE !! ". I'm sure you'll pop up quick with no hesitation.
You just need to "Let Go". Your body can do it, you thoughts/brain is blocking it from happening.

[dtc]

My guess is that it isn't the mechanics of the pop up but either the timing (you are waiting too long and are already part way down the wave) or after popping up you are leaning back on the board trying to 'make it level' (your brain wants it to be level because that is what you are used to).

Think about how you ski down a slope, or skateboard or even cycle. You lean down the slope, with it not against it. Same for surfing

Of course I'm just guessing here. But if you can do it on land but fail in the water, it might not be the pop up mechanics