We are especially concerned with tacking more smoothly and with more subtlety. If you just push the tiller hard over as fast as you can, then rush across the boat as fast as you can the rudder acts like a brake, the whole plot rocks about, and its some time before the boat is steady again. OK, you get round, but it can be done so much better. Also be careful to not turn the boat too far - much easier is you are turning gently. Quite how much better can be difficult to appreciate without seeing it. If you can spend half an hour or so on a Wednesday evening or a Sunday morning and watch the people at the front of the races you'll see how elegant, neat and fuss free tacking can be. Don't be deceived - there's a lot of practice and, in two handed boats teamwork involved. If you look at some of the people at the back of the races you may feel a lot happier about your own progress, but that is quite another matter!
So what should you do? Practice tacking slowly. Now you can get round - in light to moderate winds anyway - without too many disasters try deliberately slowing up the tack. Don't push the rudder hard over, push it gently, so the boat turns more slowly and evenly. You'll find a point between too fast and too slow that just feels nice.
Now its time to consider the balance while you tack. Feel how the boat responds to the turn. You should be balanced on the balls of your feet as you start the tack, ready to transfer your weight from one side to the other. As you sense the boat just beginning to heel one way or the other you should be fractionally shifting your weight to compensate, Its almost like balancing on a see-saw really smooth and steady does it. As you become more comfortable tacking you can start to use the balance to help the turn (roll tack).