recognizing the strumming beat

Is thier any trick to recognizing the beat to strum when listening to songs? Is thier anyway to single out the beat of the guitar? I find melodies to be easier but the rythem is a little difficult.

On most of the songs I've heard recently, the first-, usually down-, strum is accented. Listening for this helps to identify the chord changes. Plus, if you get the timing right for the chord changes, play along with the song, and the correct strum pattern should start to become apparent. Since I've started doing this, I've been able to figure out several songs just from listening to them on the radio for a few minutes.

Good luck!

I've understood over my teaching experiences that strumming is one of the most difficult think to teach on the guitar.

You have to let your arm be loose, and always have an Up Down motion. What makes your strumming pattern is which up down you play or not play. From this, just figure out what those guys play or don't.