If you want to see messy, dig around thewaterskiforum. for the discussion of the FM handle guard versus the Thomas Wayne Arm Guard.


Try this instead. As you release the handle, while keeping your elbow close to your body, move your free hand back like you were reaching into your jeans pocket or touch the lower part of your ribcage.

Don't let the buoys trick you into thinking that you're late. It's easier to stay patient and let the ski come around when you don't see a little orange ball taunting you to hook up and go the second you come pass by. Be smooth and try to slow down your brain even though your tempo may need to be a little tighter than when you free ski. More than likely, you already have the tools to run these passes. Don't let the course trick you into becoming a radically different skier.

A very important point to note about countering is that it's relatively easy to do in the preturn approaching the turn, but holding that position through the finish of the turn is tougher. We instinctively think we have to turn to turn - i.e. we let our eyes move across the course, we turn our heads, we turn our shoulders, we reach for the handle, we do all kinds of things we don't have to do to make the ski change directions. Unfortunately, a lot of those "turn inducing" movements cause us to overturn, lose momentum, shift weight on the ski, lose balance in general. The ski will turn if it is 1) on edge, 2) enough edge is in the water, and 3) we have sufficient speed. 

I've experimented with several methods to get myself to ride my countered position on the ski through the turn and back to the handle without doing any of these unnecessary rotational movements. I have some success with looking downcourse which a lot of people suggest and a lot of people can do pretty well, but it's a constant battle as my eyes just really want to look across course to the next ball - more so as the rope gets to 35 and shorter. What I've found works for me (and I think you need to really experiment with what works for you) is to let my eyes look across, but in a long-range, downcoursish manner and, this is important, don't let my head point where my eyes are looking. I know that sounds silly and too much of a minute (mynoot, not men nut) thought, but it works great. I feel like I'm looking sideways where my eyes naturally want to go, but my head, shoulders, chest, hips all remain in a countered position that is easy to hold all the way until I'm back on the handle.  The point is: ride your counter fully through the turn and you figure out what little personal technique works best for you to accomplish that.
Jim