do I try to use the whole slide?

[2ball]

When I watch videos, I see dark horse using only half the slide. (the seat only moves on the back half of the slide).
when I watched Phil Clapp do a 500m in 1:09 seconds, he was only using about a quarter of the slide.

when I row I use about 3/4ths of the slide. Am I using too much slide?

[Dangerscouse]

No. When using a higher rating you'll naturally have to use less of the slide / shorten your stroke, so Phil's example is purely used for that type of effort.

I'm not sure why DH videos only use half the slide, unless it is also at a higher stroke rate? I can't think of an issue with using more of the slide, as this naturally happens when you fully extend, but not lock, your legs, unless you're shooting the slide? This is when you push too much before engaging your upper body.

[2ball]

I just got done rowing and paid attention. I am most certainly using to much of the slide. I go so far forward sometimes the seat hits my heels. Then I am in a bad position to drive with my legs and it puts pressure on my knee. I need to fix this.

[Dangerscouse]

I just got done rowing and paid attention. I am most certainly using to much of the slide. I go so far forward sometimes the seat hits my heels. Then I am in a bad position to drive with my legs and it puts pressure on my knee. I need to fix this.

I see what you mean. I thought you meant sliding backwards, but compressing too much at the catch isn't a good idea. You need to keep your shins vertical and wrapping something around the monorail at the right position is a way of stopping you going too far.

[MPx]

Some people get hung up on stroke length - believing longer is better - but in reality its something of nothing. The "perfect" stroke will take you from vertical shins, straight arms forward, body at 11o'clock to horizontal straight legs, body at 1 oclock, handle somewhere near the sternum. Your "ideal" stroke length therefore is purely a function of your physical dimensions. Any attempt to increase it will mean some loss of the ideal form, which means adding weakness into the stroke. Not much point - although having said that I've seen some amazing results from people with exagerated lay back, virtually no leg drive, and other anomalies which should mean they'd be hopeless!

For the real ultra sprints - 100 and 1min for most of us but up to 500 if you're Phil Clapp - then a shorter stroke will allow a much higher rate which is key to getting a good score over a very short distance.

[2ball]

edit--I think I should have used the word monorail instead of slide.

[jamesg]

On https://www.concept2.com/training/rowing-technique you can see what C2 says should happen during the stroke if we want to work hard but avoid injury:

The Catch

Arms are straight; head is neutral; shoulders are level and not hunched.
Upper body is leaning forward from the hips with the shoulders in front of the hips.
Shins are vertical, or as close to vertical as is comfortable for you. Shins should not move beyond perpendicular.
Heels may lift as needed.

This style engages the hips, where our major muscle groups are, without overloading the rest.