Lifting off the seat

[Raging Waters]

Hi,

I'm a relatively new oarsman this being my second year rowing. My coach has been working with me on my application of power throughout the stroke, particularly after the catch. According to my coach, I open with my back which throws off the boat and robs me of power and efficiency. I've developed this habit since whenever I apply pressure with the legs I lift up and out of my seat landing somewhere in the shell requiring the boat to stop in order for me to get back on my seat. The coach encourages that but I'm not sure how good that is since I would hate for that to happen in a race. I'm the only one in my boat who does this. How do I fix this?

[gregsmith01748]

Hi,

I don't think I'm qualified to give you a valid opinion on your question, but I do recommend that you post your question on the rowing illustrated forum. They have a some really focused OTW folks who could probably give you great feedback.

http://www.rowingillustrated.com/boards/

Even though I'm an Erg guy, I check in there every once in a while and I find it pretty illuminating.

[Byron Drachman]

I am not a coach nor am I qualified to be handing out advice, so take this with a grain a salt. You could try doing a standard ergometer drill and see if that helps avoid the early back opening.

First do the drive with the forward lean and the arms straight and relaxed. After taking a bunch of strokes that way, when the knees are half way down, keeping the arms straight and relaxed, add in the body swing, but keep the forward lean until the knees are halfway down. After a bunch of strokes that way, finally add the arm pull a little after you start the body swing. The thing to think about is to take the first part of the drive as if you are doing the first drill, that is, the straight arm and forward lean only.