C177 PLT RETRACTED THE GEAR TOO EARLY DURING TKOF RESULTING IN A PROP STRIKE.

Narrative

WHILE PRACTICING A SOFT FIELD TKOF AT MANASSAS; I PULLED THE LEVER TO RECYCLE THE GEAR BEFORE OBTAINING SUFFICIENT ALT. I HAD 30 DEG FLAPS; BACK PRESSURE ENOUGH TO REDUCE WT OFF NOSEWHEEL (BY THIS TIME I HAD PUT THE CHKLIST ASIDE). WHEN THE CTLS BECAME RESPONSIVE AND I FELT LIFT (SPD 60-70 MPH); I STARTED MY FINAL FIREWALL/FLAPS/GEAR PROC (FIREWALL CONSISTS OF FEELING THAT THROTTLE; PROP; FUEL ARE ALL FORWARD). IMMEDIATELY AFTER CYCLING THE FLAPS AND GEAR; I IMMEDIATELY REALIZED THAT THE GEAR HANDLE WAS WRONG (SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN CYCLED) AND TRIED TO PUSH IT DOWN. I LOOKED OUT MY SIDE AND SAW THE MAIN STILL DOWN AND APPEARED TO BE ROLLING. I HAD RELEASED SOME PRESSURE. THEN I HEARD THE ZING SOUND. I YANKED BACK ON YOKE AND IMMEDIATE WAS AIRBORNE. THE PLANE CLBED NORMALLY (80-85 MPH). UPON TURNING; I REDUCED PWR TO 2500 RPM BUT WAS AFRAID TO CYCLE THE PROP (I KNOW THE HANDLE/GEAR WAS DOWN AT THIS POINT BECAUSE I RECYCLED GEAR TWICE WHILE IN PATTERN INSURING THE LIGHTS CHANGED AND THAT I HEARD THE THUMPS). I COMPLETED THE PATTERN AND MADE LNDG (NOSE HIGH) AND ROLLED OUT. I DIDN'T APPLY BRAKES UNTIL I FELT NOSE COMPLETELY DOWN ON SURFACE. I PARKED THE PLANE AND WENT TO NOTIFY THE OWNERS.