Initially is may seem a little awkward (although for some it seems a little easier) but being able to roll cast effectively off both shoulders is essential for both dealing with the wind and changing direction.

The principles are exactly the same as for our more 'natural' shoulder, however these pointers should help:

It helps to rotate the wrist so that the back of the hand is on the top of the rod

It helps to rotate the body from the hips in order to get the line back into the D-loop

There are two popular rod hand positions for the start of the forward stroke:

1. thumb at the opposite ear

2. thumb in front of the nose (sighting target)

We use this cast when:

1. the wind is threatening to blow the line into our body, or

2. when we want to change the direction of the line to the outside of its current position (for example:- when a right hander wishes to roll cast the line which is lying in front of him, to his right) - if we didn't cast off the opposite shoulder under these circumstances the rod crosses over the line, and as it picks off it tangles (and this can be quite dangerous). In order to change direction this is the procedure: stand square to new direction, point rod in this direction, form D-loop and cast - it's good to about 45 degress - (it is especially important not to leave too much line on the water because this line is facing the wrong direction).

Under general roll cast circumstances we want to place the D-loop fairly close to the body so that the rod tip travels over the line on the forward stroke; if the wind is strong this means we may have to form the D-loop by lifting the rod tip the wrong side of our body, in order to place the line close to us on the opposite side.