The Front to Back Inside and Out

By Paul "Stokeman" Stokes

The front to back (F-B) is known as the trick that separates the men from the boys or takes women to the world level of the sport. Even at the National Championships there are many competitors that perform the back to front but very few outside of the open division perform the front to back. It's a trick that every barefooter wants right from the start. This trick is also widely thought to be a very difficult trick. I'm here to tell you that this is an easy trick when #1 you're ready for it, #2 you go about learning it properly, and #3 you have persistence.

The three methods of the F-B:

There are three techniques used to complete a F-B. They are the step-over, step-under, and the hop & swap. When explaining the turn in this article we will always be turning clock-wise or to the right. The step-over is when you turn on your right foot and your left foot steps over to the back position. The step-under is when you turn on your left foot and your right foot steps behind through the spray to the back position. The hop & swap is when you rise to become light on both feet and "swap" your feet to land in the back position. All of these methods have been proven to work. Although these styles can appear different from each other they all have the common factors that are necessary to make the trick successful. The last three footers to hold the World Overall Championship have all used the different styles.

World Overall "and" Trick Champions:

Rick Powell USA Hop & Swap '88 & '90

Ron Scarpa USA Step-Over '92, '96, & '98

John Pennay Australian Step-Under '94

The common factors:

Hips

The use of your hips is an important element in the success of any barefoot turn. A common thought is that the handle must cock and then twist and be pulled to the hip. I don't have a problem with the cock and twist which can bring a rhythm and flow to your F-B, but the pull on the handle is what needs to be thought of differently. When you crush and then rise into the F-B you should start with your handle comfortably close to your body and throughout the rise advance your hips to the handle. This will give you momentum into the turn and help with your flow.

Rhythm and Flow

A F-B can be performed without any up and down movement what-so-ever. Minimizing the up and down movement is necessary to become proficient at multiple turns like the B-B, 540's, and 720's. However, the F-B and the F-F 360 can be performed most easy with some up and down movement to create rhythm and flow.

Axis

Head-Up. This is the most important factor for balance in any sport. If you can't see the horizon, you simply cannot achieve the greatest balance. Keeping your head up looking at the horizon will naturally help keep you on a good axis. The other things to keep in check are the feet, hips, and shoulders. Your feet should always maintain a glide on the water. This is achieved by keeping your feet under your knees. Your hips should be slightly behind your feet, and your shoulders slightly behind your hips. This holds true for the front and back positions. If you froze as a solid unit in front position and, without moving a single joint in your body, turned to the back position you would have completed a good F-B. Hips, rhythm, and flow will add smoothness and tempo to your turn.

Unified Movement

Momentum is provided by the up and down movement, the twist of the handle, and the movement into the turn. Once the turn is under way it is important to turn as one unit. Your body at this point is like a robot. There is movement into the turn and a cushion with the knees to finish the turn, but during the actual turn there needs to be a unified movement. This is important to practice on the dry-land as well as shoe ski's to feel this concept.

Step Over

The step over turn is the style I use on my F-B. When turning to the right, turn on your right foot. It is important that the right foot stays in contact with the water and that the left foot steps over to the back. Ideally you want to maintain a shoulder width stance or closer throughout the turn. The right foot should also stay slightly in front of your hips and should stay flat on the water.

Step Under

The step under turn, from my experience, is the most popular. Though many skiers would like to step-over, they naturally step-under. NOT A PROBLEM. When turning to the right, turn on your left foot. It is important that the left foot stays in contact with the water and that the right foot steps through the spray to the back. This does not mean that your foot actually has to force through some hard spray. It is just an expression. Ideally you want to maintain a shoulder width stance or closer throughout the turn. The left foot should also stay slightly in front of your hips and should stay flat on the water. Sound familiar?

Hop and Swap

The hop and swap is a very popular way to turn for show skiers. The inconsistent water conditions along with a show circle whip accommodate this style. This turn consists of timing and the ability to land soft in the back position. Basically you put a front hop and a back hop landing together with a quick swap of the feet. It is necessary to lighten your feet on the water, but leaving the water is optional. I feel this turn has the most potential for injury. If your timing is off and your weight comes down on your feet in any position other than the front or back position you will have trouble. This is the turn I originally learned, and I still pull it out of the hat for wake turns and rough water conditions.

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.

Conclusion

This is an easy trick when #1 you're ready for it, #2 you go about learning it properly, and #3 you have persistence. I want nothing more than to see this sport I've enjoyed since the age of 8 grow and have the level of skiers become more advanced. I would love to see more footers use turns in their trick runs as well as out on the local lake showing off. This trick takes hard work and dedication, but it is well worth the effort. Once you learn the front to back, it opens a whole new can of tricks. I would love to help you achieve your goal of completing your first front to back. You can come and train with me in South Florida, or I will come ski with you and your friends at your site. For more information call me at (305)588-7508 or write me at PO Box 248717 Coral Gables, FL 33124 or e-mail @ STOKESX@AOL.COM.