Preshaping a Log

Take a unit of dough that is fairly rectangular in form and place your hands under the edge farthest from you. Gently roll up the dough toward your body, much like rolling up a sleeping bag. Any large air pockets will be expelled and the gluten structure will start to tighten up to bring some direction to the piece.

After preshaping rounds or logs, place seam side down on a surface (preferably wood) and cover with a couche or plastic during the resting phase.