I would consider myself a line 2 surfer at this point, actively looking for opportunities to practice bottom turns and connecting them with cut backs.  I do feel that I struggle with the concept or feeling of riding the rails.  And as a surf enthusiast, I'm intrigued by all board shapes and sizes.  I currently ride a 7 footer pin tail mid-length mostly.  Would riding a smaller fish help or hurt the process of learning to ride the rail more?  Thoughts? 

Hey OMBE community, I'm hoping to get some advice. I usually ride a 7'4" midlength (Harley Ingley Moe) and through OMBE method, have gotten very comfortable doing the OREO method and catching a ton of waves and doing some maneuvers.  In order to progress and work on getting more vertical, I got a narrower 6'8" board (Lost Crow Killer).  Last few session on this board has been a challenge.  Mainly because I don't feel the lifting of my feet like I usually do with my 7'4" when I'm paddling into a wave.  This was typically a signal for me to arch my back and glide.  Now, all I feel is a lift under my chest.  I'm guessing this is to be expected with a shorter board.  But when I feel this lift under my chest and try to glide by arching my back, the wave tends to go under me.  Of course, a lot of Youtube videos say to paddle harder and lean forward, which I know is not the OMBE way.  Rather than continuing to struggle and create bad habits, I wanted to see if any of you out there went through something similar transitioning to shorter boards.  Thanks in advance!

Anyone struggling with making the transition from simply gliding across the face of the wave to going straight down the wave to set up for bottom turns?  I feel like I'm going back to my beginner days by going straight down.  Any advice on how to make this transition?  Should I still be angling my takeoffs and look for sections to drop and try bottom turns or initiate bottom turns with all waves?  I don't see any videos about this specifically.  Thanks in advance!