I have a real tough time with gradual roll-up

[ROWINGGIRL]

I can't get into the new habit and my coach is hounding me to fix the flip-catching. I try doing it and my oar handle gets all off height-wise. Also, I feel like I"m rowing square blade because as soon as I get my oar out of the water, I feel the need to begin rolling up. When we do sprints, how am I supposed to roll-up right?

Does anyone else have this problem?

[VHS_Johnson]

Hey, a lot of the new members of our crew have the same problem. Early roll-up. It can feel like as soon as you're at the release on the square that you get your oar out of the water and then you feel like you have to square up again. This is because many people tend to already be driving back their legs before they catch. The early roll up ensures that you're getting your full drive while your legs are completely compressed at the catch. There are a few cases where people roll up wayyy too early and don't even get a real stroke in, but the early roll up is very important. Just practice keeping your hands level while still catching earlier than you are right now. If you're having issues, ask your coach, that's what they're there for. When you sprint it's the same as if you were doing a slower-slide steady state piece. Roll up early. When you're first learning how to do that the people behind you might get a nice shower, but it will help you in the long run. Keep your head in the boat while you're doing it. Watching your blade when you're trying to roll up early is only going to throw you, and the rest of your crew, way off. If you can't get any other comments in here, try posting this in the On The Water forum. Good luck.

~ L

[Andy Nield]

Do loads of practice in 6's so you have the boat balanced.

If you can't roll up right you shouldn't be doing sprints yet...

[TabbRows]

Rowinggirl,

I'm no coach but one way is to think of the roll up in 3 parts of your slide. At 1/4 slide, right after you start to move forward, turn your oar with your inside hand only about 1/3. At around 1/2 slide, another 1/3; and at 3/4 slide final 1/3 to squared position. This allows you to drift into the last few inches to the catch with the blade square.

Another way to practice it is with 5 ratio count. When you're rowing at a low rating count your stroke-1 at the catch, 2 at the finish, then turn the oar 1/3 at each count 3, 4 and 5 so that at 5 you're squared just before the catch at 1.

You're rolling up and feathering at the finish with just your fingers of your inside hand. The outside hand is the focus for steadying the oar handle thoruhg the recovery. If you have fast hands away and pivot and relax the outside hand's fingers, but keep just a light amount of pressure on the oar with your uppper palm, you'll keep the oar height steady during recovery and when you drop the oar into the catch it'll set itself at the right height. Practice during drills and warmups. It'll come to you.

If you move this to the otw thread, you'll probably get some seasoned advice.
Good luck. ST