Ackward Layback

[Beachbum]

I was wondering how to do a layback? It feels so awkward having legs turning down the face while my upper torso is supposed to move in the opposite direction. Any tips on how to do it because it seems like a mental block at the moment. I'm thinking about just hitting lip as hard as I can while falling back on my forearm.

[TReMoR]

uhhhh.. ,pretty advanced question. lol.. i know for a fact i cannot do one, but i think ive come close by accident sometimes.. im a bit confused by your question. I thought you can just do a layback by speeding down the line and over extending your back foot leading you to have your body on the face of the wave. So i thought it was basically a kick out with your backfoot but wayyyy out .. Ive done it before a couple times by accident.. kicked the tail to the point where it detached from my backfoot.. i just never landed it.. because im on my back and i couldnt regain control. I didnt know it involved torso rotations and stuff.. maybe you are just overthinking it.. i think you just need a lot of speed and kick.. but then again.. im not sure what im doing or that what im doing is the beginnings of a layback at all. The only REAL advice I can give is to keep trying? lol

[Beachbum]

Thanks for the advice, Tremor. I think I am over thinking it haha. I'm just going to do as you said and kick out the tail and back flop on the wave .

[Manhattan Beach Grom]

I've never done one either but the thing that seems really weird to me is how you can lay your back on the wave and not sink in and fall off. I think if I were to try one I would just get ripped off my board by the wave. How are you supposed to pull em off?

[uglystick]

basically its about speed, you need enough speed to apply enough force to the tail on its rail so that it will force the board through the water. (Sort of like how a ice skater do their speed stops). You also need to throw your body into a layback position during the top part of the turn. You need to have good flexibility and strength in your legs and core to be able to stand up and ride away from a layback.

If your centre of gravity doesnt stay perpendicular to your board at all times you will fall off, especially if you havent enough speed.

Just have fun with it and it will come in time, the way i learnt was to attack the lip with as much force and speed as i could muster.