If anyone is interested in getting better at laying out I posted a video online. 
http://alexkorb.wordpress.com/2009/08/06/laying-out/

I like to fancy myself good at laying out, and I largely attribute this to the fact that I played volleyball in high school and thus had to spend lots of time practicing diving on a court.  This is a demo of how to practice on a hardwood court, which has some advantages (you can slide, and you can do it slowly) and disadvantages (it's hard).  If you want to try, be careful and take it slowly (also probably wear knee pads).  Don't do it if it's too scary for you, because fear clouds your consciousness, and thus you won't be as aware of what you're doing.

You could also practice laying out on a slip-and-slide.  I would suggest wearing cleats though, because one of the important aspects of laying out is the fact that you can push forward aggressively on the last step ... if you're barefoot then your foot will slide back and you'll hit the ground harder.

And just so you know, being good at laying out makes ultimate even more fun (just start out slow, controlled and low to the ground).  -Alex