Coxswain ClinicFor the novice to intermediate coxswain

3/22/14

Adam Withycombe(865) 406-1073

awithyco@gmail.com

I encourage you to Google “What is the role of the coxswain?” I found a ton of definitions, but the following are common themes:

Safety – this is always listed first Steering Facilitating practice Executing the race plan Serving as the eyes, ears, and voice of the

boat Motivating your crew

Role of the Coxswain

(Notice I did not say coach…)

Rowing has a language all its own. As a coxswain, it is your responsibility to learn it and speak it better than anyone else.

Equipment Technique Commands Drills

Learn the Language

Boat BasicsStarboard

Port

Direction

Stern PairBow PairWaist

Seat

This is my oar…

BladeOutboard Inboard

Handle

Sleeve

Button/Collar

Rigger

Basket

Gate/Oarlock

Pin

Stay

In the Cockpit

Coxbox

Steering Cables

Left hand forward, boat goes left

Cox-Box/Pace Coach

Speakers

Mic

Cox-Box

• Stroke Rate• Time• Stroke Count• (Speed)• (Distance)

Come Prepared!Every good coxswain carries gear (either from the team or your own):

7/16th Wrench 1/2-Inch Wrench Adjustable Wrench Electrical Tape Spacers for the

oarlock Sponge Small Spiral Notepad Small Roll of Athletic

Tape

Steering Fundamentals

Steering is about where you are going to be…not where you currently are. You have to plan ahead! Left hand forward goes left Boat takes about 2-3 strokes to react Turning causes you to lose your balance Find a point (target) far in the distance Consider wind and current

Steering an 8 is like driving a school bus from the back seat. You can’t see over the person in front of you. It doesn’t turn. It doesn’t stop on a dime.

Bow Loaders – A.K.A. “The Coffin”

Pros and Cons: Better visibility of

obstacles in front Restricted tunnel

vision Very difficult to

see/correct your crew No communication

with the stroke Less likely to notice if

you are over-steering

Take it SLOW! Row by stern pair only and stop early Float in to the dock Have rowers “Lean Away” to protect riggers

Note: this will cause the boat to turn slightly in the direction you are leaning

Consider wind and current If at first you don’t succeed…back up and try again. All help should come ONLY from your stroke seat,

everyone else needs to be quiet and listen for commands

Docking

Looking Good…

• Slight angle into the dock• Not rowing…drifting in

• Rowers are paying attention

• Leaning to starboard

1. Sitting Ready/Release

Legs flat, up tall, slight lay back, handle in to the body

2. Hands AwayHands only thing to move – no body, no knees

3. Bodies OverUp tall, pivot from the hips, reach forward, knees down

4. ¼, ½, ¾ SlideBreak the slide length into these increments. This is all about legs and knees.

5. Full Slide/CatchKnees at 90-degrees, up tall, not over-reaching, not over-compressed (heels just come up), rotate towards your rigger

Body Position/Rowing Stroke

New coxswains often have a hard time knowing how to help their crew. The best place to start is with the oar. Timing is everything!

Catch and Release – In together, out together Blade Depth

Hatchet should be completely buried under the water throughout the stroke, but not too deep (1-inch under max)

Square Blade Release Blade should be vertical when it comes out of the water

Blade Height and Roll Up Blade stays 2 inches above the surface (no “sky” at the

catch). Roll up to vertical as the hands cross the knees Puddles – spacing, quality…this takes a bit of time

What to Watch

Facilitating a Practice Learn the workout plan Write it down!

Warm up Pick Drill

Drills How does it go? What is the purpose?

Pieces How many? Structure? Stroke Rate/Pace? Is there a particular

focus?

Communicate Coach (2-way) Other coxswains

Stay near other boats Start even Don’t cheat a course

Your stroke What does s/he feel? What does s/he

want? (cover your mic for

this stuff)

Understand, Anticipate, and Execute

Pick Drill Intentional focus on

body position Build the entire stroke

one step at a time Catch and Drive

Timing Suspension

Outboard Arm Only

Always square blade Blade depth Reach and Leverage

Wide Grip Inside hand halfway

up shaft Rotation/Body

Position

Drills

Command Your Crew Know your commands Speak with confidence Your voice is a cadence

Crisp, clean, enunciate Calls on the catch…1, 2, 3

Give commands “in two” “In two (strokes), stern four

out, bow four in…one…two.”

“In two way enough and let it glide…one…two.”

Know what individuals are working on. Ask the coach and/or the

rower Less is more

Common Commands Way enough = stop Sit Ready Ready and…row In Two… Hold Water/Hold Down Check it down On the feather/square Stern four/bow four ____ to back/____ to row Counting/Power 10s Up tall, level hands,

suspend, catch timing, breathe, outboard elbow

Know your course! The shortest distance between two points…

Rowers want to know 2 things… When can I quit? (How much longer? Distance

markers) Where is everyone else?

Follow the race plan Start sequence, stroke rate, sprints Strategic power 10s at specific places

Motivation Know your crew…what makes them turn on

the speed?

Execute a Race Plan

Home Water

The internet has become a treasure trove of great coxswain stuff! Row2k.com US Rowing 9thseat.com (Mary Whipple – US National

Cox) Thecoxguide.com Youtube – watch coxswains call races Google “Coxswain Training”

Resources

You won’t learn if you don’t ask…

Call me or email if you have questions awithyco@gmail.com (865) 406-1073

Questions?