technique question

Question
Hi,

My coach keeps saying that I begin my drive before my blade is fully in the water so I waste a lot of my leg power.  I have tried very hard to fix this problem, but it's still happening.  Do you have any pointers for what I should try to think about and do?

Answer
Hi Rower: Sounds like you are "shooting your tail." Not good. But the fact that you are begining your leg drive before the catch is exaccerbates the problem.   

First off, you have to make sure your blade is anchored in the water. As you are coming to the end of your recovery (farthest point up the slide) and ready to make the catch, try to consciously make a slight lift of the hands to ensure the blade is set in the water.  Hold off on any leg drive until you feel the blade is set in the water.

Now you are ready to do your post-catch drive.  Make sure your chin is up, shoulders relaxed, and sitting "tall in the saddle" (i.e., not slouched).  

Try to "feel the connection," where you brace your lower back so that it is 搒et?against the legs at the catch.  By sitting tall and bracing your back & legs, you can use the legs as the prime movers through the drive immediately after the blade is securely in the water.  Try to feel the set in the lower back, beginning just above the hips. That way, for every inch you drive on the slide, you move the oarhandle a corresponding inch through the water.

Below is the classic Common Mistakes in Rowing article.  It's over 28 years old but it is still good today.

Good Luck/AP  


http://www.crew.stuorg.iastate.edu/misc/Common_Mistakes.pdf