The trick I use to use back when I was VERY good at racing a 16 in the late 70's - early 80's was:

Have to crew go down and get on knees by mast , release the jib sheet from cleat and hand hold it. When he/she tells me he/she is ready THEN I will start the tack. As said crack the main a little as you go head to wind and let the jib back wind you thru the tack. With the jib hand held, you can release it easy and pull in lazy sheet fast. I learned this AFTER going over backwards few times, do to not being to uncleat the jib fast enough. IF you do go into irons, push and boom and tiller away from you and the boat should back into the tack. Just have patience, it will come around.

Hope this helps,

Doug